DATE: August 9, 2016
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 City Street Improvements (Phase VII), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project No. 16571
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Approve and authorize Chairman to execute Agreement with the City of Reedley for the Reedley City Street Improvements (Phase VII), Community Development Block Grant Project No. 16571 ($233,234).
REPORT
The Agreement provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Reedley City Street Improvements (Phase VII) Project, which is included in the County’s 2016-17 Action Plan as approved by the Board on April 26, 2016. The $233,234 agreement amount is available from the City’s 2016-17 allocation of CDBG funds as listed in the Action Plan.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The Board may direct the City to propose a different eligible use for its CDBG funds. A different use would require an amendment to the Action Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total estimated project cost is $361,255. CDBG funds for the Reedley City Street Improvements (Phase VII) Project, in the amount of $233,234, are included in the Department’s Community Development Block Grant Org 7205 Adopted Budget for FY 2016-17. CDBG funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. The City will provide all sums of money in excess of the CDBG funds that may be necessary to complete the project.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 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 Agreement contains a mutual indemnity clause consistent with the JPA.
The Reedley City Street Improvements (Phase VII) Project, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors for inclusion in the 2016-17 Action Plan, consists of the reconstruction of North Avenue between Frankwood Avenue and 11th Street, including the installation or modification of curb ramps and sidewalk to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Existing signs, pavement markings, lighting, drainage, curb, gutter, sidewalk, landscape, manhole, and similar infrastructure improvements may be modified, replaced, and/or relocated to accommodate the proposed improvements. The improvements will improve the street travelling surface, increase pedestrian safety, and reduce mobility impairments for residents.
In addition to providing funds for the project on a reimbursement basis, the Agreement requires the City of Reedley to prepare the design plans and specifications in conformance with Federal and State regulations governing Federally-funded projects. The City will be responsible for the 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 regulations prior to the City advertising the project for bid. The City will be responsible for maintaining the improvements after the project is completed.
Initial Study/Environmental Assessment No. 7145 was completed for the Reedley City Street Improvements (Phase VII) Project under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and includes future phases planned for the project. 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).
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City of Reedley.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #16, April 26, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with City of Reedley
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays