REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 15, 2022
FROM
DON DAY, Director, Project and Facilities Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Capital Improvement Program Project for Mt. Baldy Cellular Feasibility Study in the Mount Baldy Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Capital Improvement Program Project No. 23-123, in the amount of $289,000, for the Mt. Baldy Cellular Feasibility Study.
2. Approve the use of $289,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program funding for the Mt. Baldy Cellular Tower Feasibility Study Project.
3. Approve appropriation and revenue adjustments to fund the Capital Improvement Program Project No. 23-123 and authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post necessary budget adjustments, as detailed in the Financial Impact Section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Don Day, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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). It is the County’s intent to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) program funds. Those Mt. Baldy Cellular Feasibility Study Project (Project) (WBSE 10.10.1416) costs determined to be eligible will be reimbursed from the County’s ARPA allocation. At the recommendation of the Second District Board Office, this project is approved to proceed with ARPA CLFRF program funds. The following budget adjustments are necessary to establish the Project’s budget and transfer funds to the Project and Facilities Management Department (PFMD):
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
WBSE |
|
7700003100 |
54304030 |
Structures and Improvement to Structures |
Increase |
$289,000 |
10.10.1416 |
|
7700003100 |
40509194 |
ARPA CLFRF Recovery Fund Distribution |
Increase |
$289,000 |
10.10.1416 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2021, the ARPA CLFRF program provided $350 billion in funding to state, local, and tribal governments. This bill was proposed by President Biden to assist with the United States economic recovery from the continued impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing recession. This bill provides funding to carry out critical capital projects, investments in property, facilities, or equipment that needs to be obligated by the end of 2024.
San Bernardino County (County) is currently exploring options for improved cellular and emergency communications in the Mount Baldy area, specifically through the addition of a cellular tower. Mount Baldy is a popular local mountain destination for activities such as snow play, hiking, and camping. With this recreational usage, first responders must be able to receive and respond to calls resulting from accidents, lost or injured hikers, and impacted road conditions caused by inclement weather. Cellular service in the area is currently very limited, impacting residents, visitors, and public safety emergency communications among first responders. The Second District Board Office recommended this ARPA CLFRF funded project be carried out, as deemed eligible.
The County seeks to construct a cellular tower in the Mount Baldy area that can locate at least two primary commercial wireless carriers that serve commercial 4G/5G cellular service and dedicate or prioritize first responder access to cellular voice and data service. This tower, if deemed feasible to construct, would provide enhanced communication for first responders. The first step in this process is the completion of a wireless study to determine the optimal location of a tower to maximize coverage, feasibility of constructing the tower, estimated cost of construction, and availability of land for placement of a cellular tower. Through a competitive procurement process, Mission Critical Partners, LLC (MCP) was awarded a contract to perform the study and said contract was executed by the Purchasing Department (Purchasing) Director. Once this study is completed and if the project is deemed feasible, the Director of PFMD will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) with the estimated cost to perform the necessary environmental reviews and construct the cellular tower for additional ARPA CLFRF program consideration.
The recommended action will approve Capital Improvement Program Project No. 23-123 and allow PFMD to oversee and manage the feasibility study.
PFMD will present future procurement documents and contracts that arise from any solicitation related to this Project to the Board, Chief Executive Officer or Purchasing, as appropriate.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Katherine Hardy, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 21, 2022; Project and Facilities Management (Robert Gilliam, Chief of Project Management, 387-5000) on October 21, 2022; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919, and Yael Verduzco, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on October 28, 2022; American Rescue Plan Act Finance (Joon Cho, Administrative Analyst, 387-5402) on October 21, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Diana Atkeson, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5426) on October 28, 2022.