Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Authorization of Grant Applications in Connection with County of San Mateo Department of Public Works Projects
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt resolutions authorizing:
A) The Director of Public Works or his/her duly authorized representative to submit grant applications and required supporting documents for funding opportunities that are consistent with Department of Public Works projects; and
B) Submittal of a grant application and required supporting documents to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways for grant funding from their Shoreline Erosion Control Program in the amount of $1,463,765 for the Mirada Road Pedestrian Bridge Replacement and Bank Stabilization Project.
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BACKGROUND:
The Department continually works to identify applicable grant or funding opportunities that support existing and anticipated projects. These projects generally relate to maintaining and improving County maintained roadway infrastructure and its appurtenances. Typically, a grant application must include documentation from the applicant’s governing body authorizing submittal of a grant application.
DISCUSSION:
Grant opportunities have varying requirements and application timelines. The grant application and approval process has become more complex and an agency’s success in acquiring grant funds can depend, in part, on having the required documents and approvals prior to grant application submittal. Grant application timelines often do not provide adequate time to obtain Governing Body approval within the application time frame.
The Department is recommending that your Board approve and authorize the submission of grant applications as appropriate grant opportunities are available for projects that maintain and improve the County maintained roadway infrastructure and its appurtenances. A Resolution describing this approval is being presented to your Board for consideration, which should satisfy the grant applications that require an authorizing resolution of the governing body to submit a grant application. The Resolution allows for the Director of Public Works or his/her duly authorized representative to sign on behalf of the County, which will expedite the time required to complete grant applications by removing the need to seek authorization from your Board individually when grant opportunities become available. This will improve the Department’s ability to efficiently apply for grants. Granting agencies typically require execution of a grant agreement when funding is approved. This agreement between the County and the granting agency would then be presented to your Board for consideration.
The Department is applying for grant funding from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) from their Shoreline Erosion Control Program. This application is for the Mirada Road Pedestrian Bridge Replacement and Bank Stabilization Project (Project). A bridge (Mirada Road Bridge) across the Arroyo de en Medio Creek (Creek) has existed since approximately 1940. The bridge was originally a concrete arch vehicular bridge that was converted to non-motorized use when Highway 1 was opened in the 1960’s.
The concrete bridge deteriorated over time and the Department installed a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the concrete bridge in 2004. The Mirada Road Bridge is well used as part of the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail portion of the California Coastal Trail and provides an important connector for local and recreational pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The existing bridge has severe corrosion coupled with the Creek flows and ocean wave action that have eroded the adjacent banks, which provide support to the bridge foundations. The proposed Project will replace the existing bridge with a prefabricated aluminum bridge and stabilize the banks adjacent to the bridge with bank protection (soil nail walls and rock slope protection).
The DBW grant application requires a resolution from the governing body that authorizes submittal of a grant application. The Department is recommending that your Board authorize the Director of Public Works or his/her duly authorized representative to: (1) submit grant applications and required supporting documents, in connection with the Mirada Road Pedestrian Bridge Replacement and Bank Stabilization Project; and (2) to specifically submit a grant application in the amount of $1,463,765 to the DBW for grant funding, through their Shoreline Erosion Control Program, for the Mirada Road Pedestrian Bridge Replacement and Bank Stabilization Project.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolutions as to form.
Approval of this action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Livable Community by improving the Department’s ability to apply for grants for projects that will maintain or improve facilities that benefit the public.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Your Board’s approval of the resolutions will benefit the Department’s ability to apply for grants in a timely manner. The DBW grant requires a local match for fifty percent (50%) from non-Federal-aid sources. Should the DBW grant be approved, this would reduce the County funds necessary for the Project. As stated above the DBW grant application is in the amount of $1,463,765.
There is no impact to the General Fund to apply for the grants.