COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

 

DATE:

October 13, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 9, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Grant Application in the Amount of $100,000 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Development Project

 

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution:

1.

Approving the filing of an Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program grant application in the amount of $100,000 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Development Project;

2.

Certifying that said applicant will make adequate provisions for operation and maintenance of the project; and

3.

Appointing the Director of the Environmental Services Agency as the agent of the County to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the project.

 

Background

Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56 provides for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) and authorizes the allocation of up to $10 million annually for grant funds to State, local and federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to mitigate the environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities. The State’s Resources Agency has established the procedures and criteria for reviewing grant proposals and is required to submit to the California Transportation Commission a list of recommended projects from which the grant recipients will be selected.

The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation (Foundation) as part of their contract with the County is preparing a grant application to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) in the amount of $100,000 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Development Project (Project).

The completion of the missing segment of the trail on Mirada Surf was one of the reasons the County purchased Mirada Surf in July of 2003. Completion of the trail segment was an important factor in the California Coastal Conservancy’s (CCC) grant award for acquisition of the property. The CCC grant for acquisition of Mirada Surf also included $100,000 in grant funds for trail planning, which is currently in progress.

 

Discussion

The grant application is due by November 19, 2004 and is being prepared by the Foundation. An authorizing resolution from the Board of Supervisors is required for the application packet. The authorizing resolution required by the EEMP includes the Board’s approval of the filing of the application; its certification that the County will make adequate provisions for operation and maintenance of the projects; and its appointment of the Director of Environmental Services Agency as the agent for the County to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the project.

The Project will include the development of approximately two-fifth of a mile of class A multi-use trail on the Mirada Surf West property, which will fill in an existing gap in the California Coastal Trail system, a small bridge to protect riparian habitat, bathroom facilities and signage. Vehicular barriers consisting of low bollards (posts) will be installed at the southern and northern ends of the trail where the path abuts Magellan Road and Highway 1. Once the barriers are in place, the existing concrete k-rail barrier at Mirada Road will be removed, the Mirada Road pavement will be removed, and the area will be restored to a natural condition.

To date, the Foundation has secured $50,000 toward the Project and is submitting other grant requests. Harris and Associates, the company that performed the planning portion of the Project, estimates that the total project cost would be $914,250.

It should be noted that grant contracts will not be executed nor would construction bids be awarded until all funding is in place. Maintenance of the trail will fall under the normal activities of the Environmental Services Agency’s Parks and Recreation Division.

 

Vision Alignment

The EEMP grant application keeps the commitment of Preserving and Providing People Access to Our Natural Environment and goal number 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities. The grant application contributes to this commitment and goal as the grant funds will be used to extend a significant portion of the coastal trail for the benefit and recreational use of the residents of San Mateo County.

 

Fiscal Impact

There will be no impact on the County General Fund. If the grant application is approved and the $100,000 of funding is awarded, the funds would be deposited to and spent out of a non-general fund account.