DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Agreement with the City of Reedley for the Reedley North Avenue Improvements (CDBG 23571)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize Chairman to execute Agreement with the City of Reedley for the Reedley North Avenue Improvements, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 23571, effective upon execution through February 10, 2025, and authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning to evaluate and grant timeline extensions for completion of the Project, total Community Development Block Grant funding amount not to exceed $254,022.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will provide Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Reedley North Avenue Improvements Project (Project), included in the County’s 2023-24 Annual Action Plan approved by your Board on May 9, 2023. The Project cost is estimated at $347,436; the City of Reedley (City) will provide a local financial contribution of $93,414. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may direct the City to propose a different eligible use for its CDBG funds. However, a different use would require an amendment to the Annual Action Plan and may impact the County’s ability to meet its CDBG expenditure timelines, set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total estimated Project cost is $347,436. CDBG funds in the amount of $254,022 are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) - CDBG Org 7205 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. The County provides the funds on a reimbursement basis. The City shall provide any and all local financial contribution in excess of the CDBG funds that may be necessary to complete the Project.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annually allocates CDBG funding to the County using a formula based on census data for the County and its partner cities. Using the same formula, the County then reallocates a portion of the CDBG funds to its partner cities through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for the purpose of carrying out housing and community development activities. The JPA permits the partner cities to select eligible projects for submission to the County for consideration. Under the JPA, the County is responsible for the overall administration of the CDBG Program and for the contract management of each project receiving CDBG funds. The recommended Agreement contains a mutual indemnity clause consistent with the JPA. The JPA governing this Project was approved by the Board on June 23, 2020.
This Project, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors for inclusion in the 2023-24 Annual Action Plan, consists of the rehabilitation of the existing roadway and parking in front of Camacho Park as well as the installation of ADA compliant curb ramps and sidewalk. The Project is located on North Avenue from Columbia Avenue to Haney Avenue, in the City of Reedley.
In addition to providing local funds in excess of the CDBG funds for the Project, the recommended agreement requires the City to prepare design plans and specifications that conform to Federal and State regulations governing Federally-assisted projects. The City will also be responsible for advertising and awarding of the Project to the lowest responsible bidder, and completion of the necessary construction engineering. The County agrees to review and approve the plans and specifications for compliance with Federal and State regulations prior to the City advertising the Project for bid. The City agrees to maintain the Project after completion.
Environmental Review No. CD23571 was completed for the Project under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Based on the environmental review, the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the CEQA Guidelines under Section 15301, Class 1 - Existing Facilities. Under Section 15301, a Class 1(c) exemption consists of the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use, including existing highways, streets, and sidewalks. It has also been determined that the project is exempt per Section 58.34 (a)(12) of the NEPA Guidelines because the project meets the requirements for a categorical exclusion under Section 58.35 (a)(1) & (2).
The Project is expected to be completed by February 10, 2025. In the event the City requires additional time to complete the Project for a reason beyond the control of either party to the agreement, your Board’s approval of the agreement authorizes the Director of the Department to grant such an extension.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The City of Reedley has reviewed and approved the recommended agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #16, May 9, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with City of Reedley
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino