REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 25, 2020
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Interim Director, Department of Public Works -Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Cooperative Agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service for the Development of Project Agreements and Snow Plowing Activities on Forest Roads
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Cooperative Agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service for the period of September 30, 2020 through June 30, 2025:
1. Forest Service Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-001 for development of Project Agreements on certain forest roads in the County of San Bernardino (County).
2. Forest Service Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-002, for reimbursement of snow plowing activities on Forest Service Road No. 1S03 to the Falls Trailhead and from the intersection of County Road No. 360750, in the Valley of the Falls area.
(Presenter: Melissa Walker, Deputy Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works - Transportation (County) is funded by Gas Tax revenue, fee revenue, and other state and local funding. Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-001 is administrative in nature with minimal financial impact. Per Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-002, the County will perform snow removal services on 0.59 miles of Forest Service Road No. 1S03 to the Falls Trailhead and from the intersection of County Road No. 360750, in the Valley of the Falls area. All work requested by United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service (USFS) that is performed by the County will be 100% reimbursed by USFS, not-to-exceed $2,500 per fiscal year, up to a total of $12,500 over five years. Sufficient appropriation and revenue has been included in the County’s 2020-21 Road Operations budget (6650002000 71H15073) and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-001 will allow for the parties to cooperate in the planning, survey, design, construction, reconstruction, improvement, and maintenance of certain forest roads and to facilitate snow plowing activities. The County’s road limits on Valley of the Falls Drive ends at Rock Drive, beyond which is a non-maintained road, approximately 0.59 miles in length, leading to a USFS parking lot and Big Falls Park (Road), with USFS property on either side of the parking lot. This section of Road is important to residents for local tourism, safety, and recreation in the area. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon at least 30-days advance written notice. This Agreement also allows for the development of specific Project Agreements between the parties with the intent of completing work as expeditiously as available funds or work opportunities allow and identifies numerous requirements for the development of Project Agreements. These requirements include but are not limited to:
1. The specific project (road) must be included in an approved USFS Cooperative plan (USFS’s Schedule A.)
2. Mutual approval of the proposed project.
3. The cost must be borne by each party.
4. The amount of cooperative funds as set forth in the Project Agreement shall be the maximum commitment of either party unless changed by a formal modification prior to incurring any expense.
5. Work must be completed in accordance with agreed upon standards.
Any future Project Agreement(s) deemed necessary by the County and the USFS will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Approval of Agreement No. 20-RO-11051200-002 will provide sufficient authority for the County to plow snow from the Road. The USFS will reimburse the County for snow removal costs in an amount not-to-exceed $2,500 per fiscal year for a period of five years from the date of execution. Either party, in writing, may terminate this Agreement in whole, or in part, at any time before the date of expiration.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 13, 2020; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on August 7, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on August 10, 2020.