Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Carole Groom
Subject: Use of District-Specific Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) transferring Measure K revenue and expenditure appropriations in the amount of $75,000 to the Parks Department to engage a planning consultant to complete a feasibility study for the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail, to assess the opportunities and constraints for the designation of the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail as a National Historic Trail, and promoting completion of the California Coastal Trail through San Mateo County.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years. The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) and County staff have conducted study sessions and community outreach efforts to inform priorities for Measure K spending for FY2017-19.
On May 16, 2017, the Board approved the FY 2017-19 Measure K allocation plan in which the County anticipates Measure K receipts of approximately $81.6 million annually. The plan included $7 million in one-time loans or grants during FY 2017-19, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-specific needs and projects. District 2 has submitted a request to use its district-specific Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Carole Groom) - Transfer district-specific Measure K funding to the Parks Department to complete a feasibility study for the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail |
$75,000 |
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $75,000 for the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail Project will provide funding for the Parks Department to engage a planning consultant to complete a feasibility study assessing opportunities and constraints for designation of the trail as a National Historic Trail and promoting completion of the California Coastal Trail through San Mateo County.
In August 2015, the Board of Supervisors authorized the formation of the Portola Trail Committee. In Fall 2016, the Parks Department was successful in securing a technical assistance grant from the National Parks Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) to refine the concept of the Portola Expedition Trail and the vision of the Portola Trail Committee. In Spring 2017, the Portola Trail Committee reached consensus on a new name, the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail (O/PHT) Committee, that better reflects its vision of interpreting both the history of the Portola expedition and the Ohlone people living on the San Mateo coast and San Francisco Bay for thousands of years prior to discovery by Europeans in 1769. The Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail Committee is now prepared to move forward with a feasibility study to assess the near and longer-term opportunities and constraints for the Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail.
The anticipated 50+-mile Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail alignment through San Mateo County will be created by linking existing trails, including 22 miles of the California Coastal Trail, 11.5 miles of other existing trails or sidewalks, 9 miles of trails through lands of Peninsula Regional Open Space District and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and 4.5 miles of trails through State Parks and Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands, and creating some new trails. Approximately 3 miles of the route will be identified in collaboration with private property owners and Caltrans, for areas in the State highway right-of-way. Specific near-term steps for the O/PHT may include development of a logo and tag line for the trail and installation of signage for the auto and bike route, working with Caltrans and the San Mateo County Department of Public Works. A number of longer-term steps toward creation of the trail require additional research, including identifying the requirements for Congressional consideration for designation as a National Historic Trail, and identifying sources of funding for long-term operations and management of the trail.
The proposed ATR is a one-time allocation of $75,000 to County Parks from Measure K District-Specific funds. The Ohlone/Portola Heritage Trail Committee will continue to be engaged with the project and the consultant will report back findings from the feasibility study.
Total Measure K Request: $75,000
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
This project supports the San Mateo County Shared Vision 2025 goals of an environmentally conscious community by preserving a natural resource trail for the education, use, and enjoyment of San Mateo County residents and visitors.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient district-specific Measure K funds appropriated in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget for this purpose. Approval of the Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) will transfer district-specific Measure K appropriations from Non-Departmental Services to the Parks Department. There is no Net County Cost associated with the ATR.