REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 9, 2022
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for South Mentone Area Americans with Disabilities Act Ramps Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the South Mentone Area Americans with Disabilities Act Ramps Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301(c) Class 1 (existing facilities) and Section 15302(c) Class 2 (replacement or reconstruction).
2. Approve the South Mentone Area Americans with Disabilities Act Ramps Project as defined in the Notice of Exemption and direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to file and post the Notice of Exemption.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The South Mentone Area Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ramps Project (Project) is funded with Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) revenue. The requested actions are administrative in nature with minimal financial impact. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Public Works (Department) 2022-23 Road Operations budget (6650002000 20H15058).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project involves constructing new or replacing existing curb ramps at 38 locations in the South Mentone area in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the ADA guidelines. Other improvements include reconstruction of sidewalks, driveways, spandrels, cross gutters, and minor street improvements as needed. The Project will require the acquisition of additional right-of-way, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) as a separate item for approval at a later date.
This Project was prioritized by the Board as part of the 2020-21 SB1 RMRA project list, which was approved on April 21, 2020 (Item No. 45). Updates to existing ADA compliant curb ramps or installation of new ADA compliant curb ramps for the Project are required under the federal “2013 Department of Justice/Department of Transportation Joint Technical Assistance on the Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing” guidelines.
The Department’s environmental staff has reviewed this Project and determined that a categorical exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15301(c) Class 1 and Section 15302(c) Class 2 is appropriate. The Class 1 exemption allows for repair and maintenance activities on existing roads, sidewalks, gutters, and similar facilities that involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The Class 2 exemption allows for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
This Project aligns with the County and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable County and providing for the safety of County residents by improving access for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
PROCUREMENT
The Department plans to bring the Project’s plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise for competitive bids to the Board in Summer 2023.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 12, 2022; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on July 22, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 26, 2022.