COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

DATE:

November 7, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 27, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Extend the Facility and Trail Construction Time Period as Outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and County of San Francisco and the County of San Mateo for Trail Development and the Conveyance of Trail Easements in the San Francisco Water Department Peninsula Watershed to October 1, 2010

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution approving a three-year extension of the facility and trail construction time period as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and County of San Francisco and the County of San Mateo for Trail Development and the Conveyance of Trail Easements in the San Francisco Water Department Peninsula Watershed, and authorizing the Director of the Department of Parks, or his designee, to execute any documents necessary for the extension of the facility and trail construction time period to October 1, 2010.

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.

Extending the facility and trail construction time period three years contributes to this commitment and goal as it will allow the Department of Parks to continue developing remaining trail segments of the Crystal Springs Trail, which annually provides about 350,000 people access to the natural environment for recreational opportunities.

BACKGROUND:

In 1993, this County and the City and County of San Francisco entered into an MOU by which easements would be granted for the design, construction, and operation of four multi-use trails within the Peninsula Watershed. The trail easements were granted in 1996. The MOU specified that construction would be completed within three years from the date the easements were granted. For various reasons, the project was not completed by 1999 nor is it complete at this time. Thus, in 2000 and 2004, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the County Board of Supervisors approved two, three-year extensions of the facility and trail construction time period, the second of which expired January 27, 2007. At a September 25, 2007 meeting, the SFPUC approved another three-year extension of the facility and trail construction period to October 1, 2010.

DISCUSSION:

Currently, there are nine miles of multi-use trail located in the Peninsula Watershed and operated by this County’s Department of Parks. Future development will increase the Trail an additional three miles, which will disperse overall visitor use. A three-year extension of the facility and trail construction time period is needed to complete this remaining three miles of trail.

Following is a summary of the status of completion for the remaining trail segments.

South of Sawyer Camp Trail (Dam South to Skyline)

Draft Plans complete and reviewed by SFPUC. Final Plans will be completed Spring 2008. Construction estimated to begin as early as Fall 2008.

Skyline to Highway 92

The Hiking and Riding Trail has been improved, but construction ceased with the expiration of the facility and trail construction time period. Upon approval of the extension of the facility and trail construction time period to October 1, 2010, this segment will be completed in Winter 2007/08.

Highway 92 to Canada Road

Prior State grant funding secured to fund this segment was lost due to state budget difficulties. A $105,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and supplemental funding of $25,000 from the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation has been approved to fund design plans and specifications, and permits. After these are completed, funding for construction would be sought. Depending on the success of raising the funds needed, construction could begin as early as Summer 2009.

San Mateo Creek Trail

Due to environmental constraints, and with SFPUC concurrence, this segment is not currently planned for improvement.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This project is budgeted in the Parks Acquisition and Development budget and was approved by the Board of Supervisors in June 2000. There is no impact to the General Fund. Following completion of design plans for the section south of Highway 92 to Canada Road, Parks staff will pursue additional grant funding for the construction.