Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Scenic Drive Repair and Reconstruction Project in the La Honda Area
[FEMA-4308-DR-CA, County of San Mateo, Cal OES ID No.081-00000] [County Project No. SMC51, Project File No. E4976]
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Director of Public Works to proceed with finalizing the plans and specifications, including conformance with federal requirements, for the Scenic Drive Repair and Reconstruction Project in the La Honda Area of unincorporated San Mateo County; and
B) The Director of Public Works to proceed with advertising for bids on the Scenic Drive Repair and Reconstruction Project and report back to this Board with recommendations on awarding a contract.
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BACKGROUND:
During the 2016-17 storm season a section of Scenic Drive between Recreation Drive and Fir View in the La Honda Area suffered integral ground movement, which caused the road to collapse and become unstable. This required that Scenic Drive be closed at this location, resulting in closing an important route through the community.
On March 10, 2020, this Board adopted Resolution No. 077294, which adopted plans and specifications and called for sealed bids for the Demolition and Disposal of Materials of Two Single Family Residences (331 and 340 Scenic Drive) in the La Honda Area Project (Demolition Project). On May 19, 2020, this Board adopted Resolution No. 077446, which awarded an agreement with Resource Environmental, Inc. for the Demolition Project. The Demolition Project has been completed, which allows for the reconstruction of the damaged segment of Scenic Drive to move forward.
The Scenic Drive Repair and Reconstruction Project (Project) was approved by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive Federal funding in connection with the 2017 Winter Storm Damage (DR 4308). The 90 percent complete Project plans, a request for approval for design modifications (revised scope of work), and a time extension request were submitted by the Department to CalOES on August 7, 2020. CalOES subsequently recommended approval of the submitted documents to FEMA, and FEMA’s approval was received on February 19, 2021.
DISCUSSION:
The impacted section of Scenic Drive is located adjacent to 331, 340, and 345 Scenic Drive in La Honda. The La Honda Area, like much of the County, suffered record rainfall during the 2016-2017 winter. On January 11 and 12, 2017, the heavy rainfall caused an integral ground failure affecting a portion of Scenic Drive and caused three residences to be deemed uninhabitable and red-tagged. The owners of 345 Scenic Drive have retained ownership of their property. The County, through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), purchased the properties at 331 and 340 Scenic Drive, demolished the homes, and have converted the parcels into open space as required by the HMGP. This work allows the County to move forward with the Project to restore Scenic Drive.
The County, as a sub-applicant, applied for and was approved for FEMA funding through CalOES for the Project, which will restore Scenic Drive and the roadway connectivity that existed prior to 2017.
FEMA has determined that the revised scope of the work, approved by FEMA, automatically triggers FEMA to undertake another environmental review process. FEMA has stipulated that the County must refrain from construction activities until FEMA has cleared the revised scope of work for compliance with applicable federal environmental laws and regulations. The County is continuing to work with FEMA on obtaining this clearance, which, once received, will allow the Department to move forward with advertising the Project for bids. As such, we are requesting that the Board authorize the Director of Public Works to proceed with finalizing the plans and specifications and call for bids for the Project, once the FEMA requirements have been satisfied, to ensure construction can begin during the 2021 summer construction season. In a subsequent Board action, the Department will present the plans and specifications for this Board’s adoption and recommend awarding the Project to the lowest responsible bidder. This Board previously approved the use of this “streamlined” process to shorten the time required to award a contract in order to ensure compliance with specific funding or construction deadlines.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated construction cost for the Project is $2,651,555, and 75 percent (75%) of these costs will be reimbursed by FEMA. The remaining costs will be funded by Senate Bill (SB1) funds.
There is no impact to the General Fund.