REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 9, 2023
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding for the Cataba Road Project in the Oak Hills Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Cataba Road Project in the Oak Hills Area is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, 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 Cataba Road Project in the Oak Hills Area as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. 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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Cataba Road Project in the Oak Hills Area (Project) will be funded with Discretionary General Funding allocated for the Department of Public Works (Department) annual Maintenance of Effort requirement and Measure I Local Streets Program - Victor Valley Subarea funds. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department’s 2022-23 Road Operations budget (66500002000 14H15183) and Measure I Local Streets Program - Victor Valley Subarea budget (6650002143 14TX1824) and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Project involves the realignment of a small portion of Cataba Road where it intersects Ranchero Road on the north side, widening of the intersection, and modification of the traffic signal. The project also includes removing existing asphalt concrete on portions of Cataba Road and Ranchero Road, milling and overlaying asphalt concrete, installing curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt concrete dike, painting traffic stripes and markings and constructing curb ramps in accordance with current design standards and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The Project will require the acquisition of additional right-of-way, which is to be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) at a later date.
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.
The Department’s environmental staff has 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 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 anticipates presenting the Project’s plans and specifications, as well as a recommendation to advertise for formal bids, to the Board for consideration in Summer 2024.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 11, 2023; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on April 24, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 24, 2023.