REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 12, 2023
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for the Blake Street and Other Roads Project in the Rialto and Muscoy Areas
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Blake Street and Other Roads Project in the Rialto and Muscoy areas 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 Blake Street and Other Roads Project in the Rialto and Muscoy areas 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.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Blake Street and Other Roads Project in the Rialto and Muscoy areas (Project) will be funded with City of San Bernardino (City) funding and Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Public Works (Department) 2023-24 Road Operations budget (66500002000 34H15177).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project involves pavement rehabilitation of approximately 39 miles, curb ramps in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and various road treatments. 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.
The Project was prioritized by the Board as part of the 2019-20 SB1 RMRA project list, which was approved on April 30, 2019 (Item No. 53). 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 ADA Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing” guidelines.
The Department’s environmental staff has reviewed the 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 projects characterized as in-fill development and is intended to promote in-fill development within urbanized areas. 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 anticipates presenting 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 August 11, 2023; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on August 25, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on August 27, 2023.