REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 27, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for the Banana Avenue and Other Roads Project in the Fontana Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Banana Avenue and Other Roads Project in the Fontana Area is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301(c) Class 1 (existing facilities) and Section 15302(c), Class 2 (replacement or reconstruction).
2. Approve the Banana Avenue and Other Roads Project in the Fontana Area as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Direct the Department of Public Works to file 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 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). The Banana Avenue and Other Roads Project in the Fontana Area (Project) will be funded with Measure “I” Local Streets Program - San Bernardino Valley Subarea funds. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department of Public Works (Department) 2023-24 Measure “I” Local Streets Program - San Bernardino Valley Subarea budget (66500002142 TX1818) and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This Project consists of pavement reconstruction, pavement rehabilitation, curb ramps at various locations in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, and other work appurtenant thereto. The Project will require the acquisition of additional right-of-way, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) at a future date.
This Project was prioritized by the Board as part of the 2020-25 Measure “I” Local Street Pass-Through Funds Five Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and selected from the project list approved on September 2, 2020 (Item No. 51). 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 Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements to Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing” guidelines.
On November 22, 2023, the Department’s environmental staff 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 15302(c) Class 2 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 2 exemption allows for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and 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 as the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption, in accordance with CEQA, 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’s plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise for competitive bids, to the Board for consideration in Summer 2025.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 31, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on February 9, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 12, 2024.