REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 6, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
BEAHTA R. DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding and Plans and Specifications for the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15302(b), Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction.
2. Approve the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to advertise the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project for competitive bids.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure the 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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Board of Supervisors (Board) approved funding for the Calico Ghost Town Bridge Replacement Project (Project) at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park (Calico) on September 12, 2023 (Item No. 60). Sufficient appropriation for the Project is included in the Capital Improvement Fund of the Regional Parks Department’s 2024-25 budget and will be included in the future recommended budgets as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
During routine inspections, Regional Parks Department staff identified visual degradation to the pedestrian bridge at Calico. A structural engineering company completed an inspection of the bridge and recommended a full bridge replacement.
As a result, the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) was tasked with managing the removal of the existing bridge and replacement with a new weathered steel bridge. The pedestrian bridge is located inside Calico and is a crucial asset for people accessing the historical school facility area. With the new bridge, visitors, staff, and residents can safely cross over while appreciating the authentic 1880’s theme.
Department staff has reviewed the Project and determined that a categorical exemption exists in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15302(b) Class 2. The Class 2 exemption allows for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures or 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 of the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental findings, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Project’s plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids.
PROCUREMENT
Upon Board approval of this item, the Project will be advertised in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in October 2024 with a recommendation for awarding the Project’s construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest and Suzanne Bryant, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 12, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, 387-4222, and Elias Duenas, 387-4052, Administrative Analysts) on July 19, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 22, 2024.