REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 9, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding and Plans and Specifications for the County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley - Community Center Renovation Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley:
1. Find that the County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley - Community Center Renovation Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301 (a) Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 (b) Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
2. Approve the County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley - Community Center Renovation Project as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley - Community Center Renovation Project.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to advertise the County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley - Community Center Renovation Project for competitive bids.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post 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
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
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 County Service Area 29 Lucerne Valley (District) - Community Center Renovation Project (Project) will be funded through an allocation from the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) as approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on June 27, 2023 (Item No. 127). Sufficient appropriation for the Project is included in the District’s 2024-25 Operating Fund budget and will be included in future recommended budgets as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The District was established by the Board in December 1964 to provide, among other things, a cemetery, TV translator which repeats the signal of a radio or television station to areas not covered by the station, fire protection, park and recreation, street lights, ambulance services, and water services for the community of Lucerne Valley. The existing Lucerne Valley Community Center (Community Center), located within Pioneer Park, has been a great asset to the local community, offering many programs and being utilized regularly by local non-profits and private parties for community meetings, celebrations, and classes. Over the years, the Community Center has become outdated and deteriorated due to age, severe weather events, and extensive use of the facilities.
On June 27, 2023 (Item No. 127), the Board approved the Capital Improvement Program Project, which proposes the renovation of the kitchen equipment, windows, meeting rooms, and existing bathrooms to ensure the community center complies with the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. The kitchen upgrade will provide new opportunities that include cooking classes and special events such as pancake breakfasts, wedding receptions, food service at public events, and community cook-offs. The Project will also include repairs to park walkways, modifications to existing facilities, such as reconstruction of damaged curbs, and providing ADA access to the basketball court, skatepark, restrooms, baseball field, and park benches located at Pioneer Park within the District.
The Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) 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(a) Class 1 and 15302(b) Class 2 is appropriate. The Class 1 exemption allows for the operation, repair of minor alteration of existing public facilities. The Class 2 exemption allows for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures or 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 of the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental findings, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with CEQA is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Project’s plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids.
PROCUREMENT
Upon approval of this item, the Project will be advertised in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in September 2024 with a recommendation for the award of the Project’s construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 21, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222, and Guy Martinez, ARPA Compliance Officer, 387-5428) on June 3, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Baker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 7, 2024.