REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 16, 2021
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for the Baker Boulevard and Park Avenue Project in the Baker Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the pavement rehabilitation and traffic signal improvements on the Baker Boulevard and Park Avenue Project in the Baker 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 pavement rehabilitation and traffic signal improvements on the Baker Boulevard and Park Avenue Project in the Baker area as defined in the Notice of Exemption and 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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The requested actions are administrative in nature with minimal financial impact to the Department of Public Works (Department). Sufficient appropriation is included in the 2021-22 Measure “I” Local Street North Desert budget (6650002140 34TX1814).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The pavement rehabilitation and traffic signal improvements on Baker Boulevard and Park Avenue in the Baker area (Project) involves milling the existing pavement on Baker Boulevard and overlaying with new asphalt concrete, from 0.86 mile west of State Highway 127, east 2.6 miles, and the installation of a traffic signal at Mojave Pointe Road. Other improvements include: (1) replacing existing ramps in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); (2) isolated areas of sidewalk repairs; (3) asphalt overlay on Park Avenue, from Baker Boulevard to Roosevelt Lane; and (4) minor road widening to restripe existing left-turn lane at Baker Boulevard and Mojave Pointe Drive. All work for the Project will be done within the existing right-of-way.
This Project is part of the Measure “I” Local Street Pass-Through Funds Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan Project List for 2020-21 through 2024-25, as approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on September 15, 2020 (Item No. 51). The Project aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable County, and providing for the safety of County residents by preserving and improving the structural integrity of existing road surfaces, as well as improving traffic movement and access for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
The Department’s environmental staff 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 1, Section 15301(c) and Class 2, Section 15302(c) is appropriate. The Class 1 exemption allows for repair and maintenance activities on existing highways and streets, 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 is recommended.
PROCUREMENT
The Department anticipates bringing the Project’s plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise the Project for competitive bids to the Board for consideration in the Spring of 2022.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 20, 2021; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on October 25, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on October 31, 2021.