REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 8, 2023
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding and the Newmark Elementary School Sidewalk Project in the Arrowhead Farms Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Newmark Elementary School Sidewalk Project in the Arrowhead Farms area 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 15332(d) Class 32 (in-fill development projects).
2. Approve the Newmark Elementary School Sidewalk Project in the Arrowhead Farms area as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. 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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Newmark Elementary School Sidewalk Project in the Arrowhead Farms area (Project) will be funded by General Fund - Maintenance of Effort and with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Public Works (Department) 2023-24 Road Operations budget (66500002000 20H15204).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project involves construction of new sidewalks, curb and gutters, driveway approaches, curb ramps in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, and the removal of three trees. 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 at a future date.
Updating of existing ADA compliant curb ramps or installation of new ADA compliant curb ramps in the Project area are required for the subject road improvements under the federal “2013 Department of Justice/Department of Transportation Joint Technical Assistance on the Title II of the ADA Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing” guidelines. This Project was approved by the Board on May 9, 2023 (Item No. 20), as a project listed in the Final Program Year 2023-24 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan.
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 15332(d) Class 32 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 32 exemption allows for the approval of the Project, which will not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality and meets the conditions to qualify as an in-fill project pursuant to section 15332(d). When the Board considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
The 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 by preserving and improving the structural integrity of existing road surfaces and access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
PROCUREMENT
The Department plans to bring the Project plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise for formal bids, to the Board for consideration at a future date, after right-of-way acquisition is completed.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 6, 2023; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on July 21, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 24, 2023.