REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 22, 2023
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, 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 Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Class 3 Categorical Exemption Section 15303(d) New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures and Class 11 Section 15311(c) Accessory Structures.
2. Approve the Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park, as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works to advertise the Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park for competitive bids.
5. 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
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
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). Reimbursement of eligible expenditures for the Glen Helen Lighting Project at Glen Helen Regional Park (Project), up to the approved amount of $1,649,895, will be funded through an allocation from the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Funding for the Project was approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on October 25, 2022 (Item No. 82). Sufficient appropriation for the Project is included in the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) ARPA Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund’s 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets, as necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project involves the installation of lights throughout the drive aisles and parking lots at Glen Helen Regional Park. The work will include installing concrete bases, metal poles, solar modules and lighting fixtures. The lighting is proposed in outlying parking lots and within Glen Helen Park, as depicted on the vicinity and location maps accompanying this item. Implementation of the new lighting system will yield enhanced safety and security measures by optimizing visibility, offer comprehensive support for events and activities, and reduce the need to lease lighting equipment. The incorporation of solar-powered lighting will also promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Department 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, Class 3 Categorical Exemption Section 15303(d) New Construction or Conversion of small Structures and Class 11, Section 15311(c) Accessory Structures is appropriate. The Class 3 exemption allows for alteration activities on existing and similar facilities, including publicly owned facilities that involve small facilities or structures. The Class 11 exemption allows for construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing facilities within publicly owned parks or other facilities for public use. When the Board of Supervisors (Board) considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Project’s plans and specifications and authorization for the Department Director to advertise for bids.
PROCUREMENT
Upon Board approval of this item, the Department will advertise the Project for competitive bids in the County Electronic Procurement Network (ePro) in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in November 2023 with a recommendation for award of the construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455 and Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 28, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635, and Guy Martinez, ARPA Compliance Officer, 387-5428) on August 3, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on August 7, 2023.