COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS

DATE:

April 2, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 22, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director of Parks

SUBJECT:

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transportation Development Account (TDA) Article 3 Claim in the Amount of $100,000 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution 1) approving the submittal of and acceptance of a Claim in the amount of $100,000 to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, TDA Article 3 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Project; 2) 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; and 3) making certain findings required by the funding agency.

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 Mirada Surf Property.

BACKGROUND:

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,” which delineates procedures and criteria for submission of requests for the allocation of “TDA Article 3” funding. MTC Resolution No. 875, Revised 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 project for the exclusive benefit and/or use of pedestrians and/or bicyclists.

The San Mateo County Department of Parks submitted an application to the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Program in the amount of $100,000 for the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail 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.

These funds will support the construction of the Mirada Surf Coastal Trail.

DISCUSSION:

The project incorporates the park improvements envisioned when the Mirada Surf Oceanside Parcel, an 18-acre site located along State Highway 1 just south of El Granada and north of the City of Half Moon Bay and State Route 92, was purchased in August 2003. The Mirada Surf Coastal Trail, when developed, will greatly improve coastal access in a popular and congested area of the San Mateo County coast, and increase opportunities for walking, bicycling and horseback riding. The site, visible from Highway 1, will also support nature study. The proposed trail improvement will also provide access for people of all abilities and safe passage separate from automobile traffic. Trail improvements include the multi-use trail, a restroom building, and benches.

The Mirada Surf Coastal Trail Project will help also protect the wetlands found on the site. The improvements will protect a seasonal wetland and creek located on the southern portion of the parcel. The creek is vegetated by a healthy willow plant community known as Central Coast Riparian Scrub and is considered to be a sensitive habitat by California Department of Fish and Game. The habitat is rated as threatened in its listing in the California Natural Diversity Database. The wetlands and small pond support hydrophytic species as well as mature cypress and pine trees.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be no impact on the County General Fund. Another $481,000 of grant funding has been obtained from State and Federal sources. These funds will cover the entire project cost.