REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 11, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Plans and Specifications and Traffic Control Devices for Snowdrop Road, Assessment District 2018-1
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the design, construction, and installation of the following traffic control devices to provide extra measures to protect public safety, as identified within the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works Snowdrop Road & Santina Road Field Investigation Findings Report, on Archibald Avenue and Santina Street, within Assessment District 2018-1 (Snowdrop Road), in the unincorporated area north of the City of Rancho Cucamonga:
a. Rumble strips.
b. Relocating a speed limit and turn signs to enhance visibility.
c. Mirrors to increase visibility at the curve and turn at the Archibald Avenue and Santina Street intersection.
2. Adopt Resolution approving the traffic control devices identified in Recommendation No. 1 within Assessment District 2018-1 (Snowdrop Road), pursuant to County Code Section 52.0107.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Works to perform such acts as are necessary to implement the terms of the Resolution.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, 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). All costs associated with the installation of the Traffic Control Devices, projected to be $3,250, will be paid from the Assessment District (AD) 2018-1 (Snowdrop Road) Operating Fund. Sufficient appropriation has been included in the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) 2024-25 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 13, 2018 (Item No. 65), the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted Resolution No. 2018-20 approving formation of AD 2018-1 Snowdrop Road that included special assessments to fund future road and drainage improvements and ongoing operations and maintenance costs. The Snowdrop Road Improvement Project and its plans and specifications were approved by the Board on January 5, 2021 (Item No. 27). A construction contract for the road improvement project was awarded on April 20, 2021 (Item No. 34), and construction was completed on December 21, 2022. Following the completion of the original construction, on March 14, 2024, residents along Snowdrop Road contacted Department regarding a desire for additional extra traffic control devices and measures to protect public safety. In response, the Department, with the assistance of its Traffic Division, conducted a traffic engineering investigation and determined that, based upon applicable engineering standards, the further improvements of a rumble strip, relocating a speed limit and turn signs to enhance visibility, and placement of mirrors to increase visibility at the curve and turn at the Archibald Avenue and Santina Street intersection would provide appropriate extra measures to protect public safety.
The Department of Public Works - Special Districts will proceed with the necessary work outlined in the provided recommendations to ensure the successful installation of traffic control devices on Snowdrop Road within AD 2018-1. This includes approving plans for the designated measures, adopting a Resolution in accordance with County Code Section 52.0107, and directing the Director of the Department to execute all essential actions for the project's completion.
Traffic control devices, based upon a traffic engineering investigation, may be established pursuant to County Code Section 52.0107. As these additional traffic control devices were identified after the completion of the construction, they were not included in the original plans and specifications initially approved by the Board. Government Code Section 830.6 provides for design immunity to a public entity. A public entity will not be liable for “an injury caused by the plan or design of a construction of, or an improvement to, public property where such plan or design has been approved in advance of the construction or improvement by the legislative body of the public entity”. Accordingly, Board approval of this item is recommended in connection with the newly identified improvements to the design, construction, and installation of the additional traffic control devices for Snowdrop Road, as identified in the Department’s traffic engineering investigation and report, and pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6.
This item aligns with the County and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives to provide for the safety of county residents by improving the safety of the residents and traveling public on its roadways.
PROCUREMENT
Upon approval of this item, the Department will solicit the work in accordance with the County’s procurement policy and install the recommended traffic control devices.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 9, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on May 20, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 24, 2024.