COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

DATE:

April 16, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 24, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transportation Development Account (TDA) Article 3 Claim in the Amount of $105,000 for the Crystal Springs Regional Trail South of Highway 92 Planning Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution approving the submittal of and acceptance of a Claim in the amount of $105,000 to and from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, TDA Article 3 for the Crystal Springs Regional Trail South of Highway 92 Planning Project, and authorizing the Director of the Department of Parks or his designee to execute in the name of the County of San Mateo all necessary applications, agreements, amendments and payment requests hereto for the purposes of implementing the purposes specified in the claim.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

This claim for project funding will contribute to the commitment and goal as the funding will be used for a project to provide nearby access to the Crystal Springs Regional Trail in the Crystal Springs Watershed.

BACKGROUND:

The San Mateo County Department of Parks submitted an application to the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Program in the amount of $105,000 for the Crystal Springs Regional Trail South of Highway 92 Planning Project. The application was a finalist in the grant ranking. A site visit was held and a formal presentation was made to the City/County Association of Governments Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

MTC as the regional transportation planning agency for the San Francisco Bay region, has adopted MTC Resolution No. 875, Revised, entitled “Transportation Development Act, Article 3, Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects,” and requires that requests for the allocation of TDA Article 3 funding be submitted as part of a single, countywide coordinated claim from each county in the San Francisco Bay region. The County of San Mateo Department of Parks desires to submit a claim to MTC for the allocation of TDA Article 3 funds to support the Crystal Springs Regional Trail South of Highway 92 Planning Project for the exclusive benefit and/or use of pedestrians and/or bicyclists.

These funds will support contract consulting services for the preparation of final design and construction documents, CEQA mitigation study, and engineering and design specifications.

DISCUSSION:

With over 325,000 visitors annually, Crystal Springs Regional Trail is one of the most popular non-motorized, multi-use trails in California. The Crystal Springs Regional Trail South of Highway 92 Planning Project, coordinated with other projects, would complete an uninterrupted, non-motorized, multi-use trail stretching from the City of San Bruno to the Town of Woodside. The Project includes rehabilitating an existing service road and creating an opening for public access. It also includes safety elements for the various uses such as bicycling, in-line skating and hiking; improving the road surface; and installing signage, fencing and gates to protect the sensitive habitat and San Francisco’s Peninsula Watershed.

The project will be fully implemented between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2010. Funding for trail implementation will be sought at a later date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be no impact on the County General Fund. When the $105,000 of funding is awarded, the funds will be deposited to and spent out of a non-general fund account. The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation is providing a matching gift of $25,000. This combination of funding will cover the entire project cost.