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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Environmental Services Agency
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DATE:
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September 14, 2005
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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October 4, 2005
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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N/A
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency
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SUBJECT:
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County Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans – State Route 35 (Skyline Boulevard) near Highway 92 for the Crystal Springs Trailhead
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute a Maintenance Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that allows the County to construct and operate a 300-foot trailhead east of State Route 35 (Skyline Boulevard) and north of Highway 92 that will serve as part of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment and responsive, effective and collaborative government.
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Goals 15 and 20: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities. Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.
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The proposed Maintenance Agreement (Agreement) contributes to Goal 15 as it supports further development of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail. This multi-use trail is very popular with County residents. The proposed Agreement also contributes to Goal 20 in that it shows collaboration between two governmental agencies and will memorialize that the County will maintain the trailhead and riprap that is on the State’s right-of-way.
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BACKGROUND:
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Previous Board Action
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The Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 56569 on October 6, 1992 authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for Trail Development and Conveyance of Easements in the San Francisco Water Department Watershed.
The Board also adopted Resolution No. 58724 on October 4, 1994 adopting the Crystal Springs Trails Plan, certifying the Negative Declaration, requesting a revocable use permit from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and directing staff to seek funding for initial improvements.
Finally, the Board adopted Resolution No. 66639 on May 11, 2004 approving a three-year extension of the facility and construction period of the County and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission MOU for construction of remaining trail segments until January 27, 2007.
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Key Facts
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The trailhead for the Crystal Springs Regional Trail will encroach upon the State (Caltrans) right-of-way on State Route 35 (Skyline Boulevard) near Highway 92.
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The location of the trailhead is ideally suited to allow visitors adequate parking and safe access to the trail.
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DISCUSSION:
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Under the adopted facilities plan, the Environmental Services Agency Parks and Recreation Division (Division) has already completed approximately three miles of this regional trail expansion. This segment of the trail extends north from Highway 92 approximately eight-tenths of a mile. It includes a trailhead located adjacent to the Highway 92 and Highway 35 intersection parking area. The trailhead portion of this segment is proposed to be constructed and operated within the State’s right-of-way following the previously adopted facilities plan to allow safe access for all pedestrians and other non-motorized forms of travel to enter the trail.
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Under the proposed Agreement, the Division will build and maintain the area within the proposed trailhead, which will be bounded by a chain link fence. The proposed Agreement also requires that the Division maintain the riprap used to dissipate water on the discharge side of a proposed culvert that will traverse the new trail. Under the conditions stated in the proposed Agreement, the Division has the right to terminate the Agreement, if the County ever abandons the trail and the area is returned to its original state.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The estimated cost of maintaining this section of Crystal Springs Trail is $500 per year and is an ongoing trail maintenance expense to be incorporated with the Parks and Recreation Division budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
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