Title
a. Approve the proposed retroactive Regional Reimbursement Agreement between the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) and the County of Monterey (Agreement) to reimburse costs incurred by the County of Monterey for implementation of the Toro Park Pilot Project, Project No. 8215, effective as of the last date opposite the respective signatures of the Agreement until discharged or terminated by mutual consent of the parties, for an amount not to exceed $150,000 and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or their designee to execute the proposed retroactive Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the approved Agreement amount, subject to review and approval as to form, insurance and indemnification provisions and fiscal provisions by the Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller’s Office, respectively.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the proposed retroactive Regional Reimbursement Agreement between the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) and the County of Monterey (Agreement) to reimburse costs incurred by the County of Monterey for implementation of the Toro Park Pilot Project, Project No. 8215, effective as of the last date opposite the respective signatures of the Agreement until discharged or terminated by mutual consent of the parties, for an amount not to exceed $150,000 and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or their designee to execute the proposed retroactive Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the approved Agreement amount, subject to review and approval as to form, insurance and indemnification provisions and fiscal provisions by the Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller’s Office, respectively.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On November 8, 2016, the voters of the County of Monterey approved the Transportation Safety & Investment Plan, known as Measure X, under the provisions of the Local Transportation Authority and Improvement Act (California Public Utilities Code Section 180000 et seq.). This measure, formalized as the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Ordinance No. 2016-01 authorized TAMC to implement and manage a 3/8 cent transaction and use tax. Measure X identifies the State Route 68 (SR 68) Project, commonly known as the Monterey-Salinas Highway, as an eligible recipient of the funds generated from this tax. On May 22, 2024, the TAMC Board of Directors approved Measure X funds, in the amount of $150,000, for the SR 68 Project.
Concerns regarding safety and congestion on Portola Drive related to congestion along the SR 68 Corridor, were expressed by the Toro Park and Serra Village neighborhoods. In response, TAMC developed a pilot project to redirect traffic from Portola Drive back onto SR 68. The Toro Park Pilot Project (Project) was identified and developed by TAMC, partnering with the County of Monterey, and community members including residents of Toro Park and Serra Village, to help define a long-term solution to keep traffic from diverting off SR 68, the Monterey-Salinas Highway. TAMC and the County of Monterey, Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) propose entering into the proposed Regional Reimbursement Agreement (Agreement) to allow the County to receive reimbursement for implementing the Project. The Project will address peak hour cut through traffic congestion impacting Toro Park and Serra Village neighborhoods. It is designed to address the cut through traffic from drivers who use Portola Drive to avoid the recurring congestion along SR 68 during commute hours. Portola Drive is the main roadway that serves the residential areas of Toro Park and Serra Village and provides direct access to Toro Park Elementary School.
The Project was implemented on July 12, 2024, during the summer, before the start of school, to provide an opportunity to observe traffic patterns and make adjustments as needed. The Project was expected to be in effect through October 1, 2024. However, in response to community feedback, the Project was extended through the school year. Throughout the pilot phase, traffic will be monitored closely, and feedback will be collected from the community. Following completion of the pilot phase, traffic data will be reviewed, and permanent solutions will be assessed for consideration.
The Project implements a partial road closure and will block southbound traffic at the intersection of Torero Drive and Bravo Court; thereby prohibiting vehicles from entering the highway from Torero Drive. The partial road closure is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce the daily 20-minute wait that many Salinas commuters experience. TAMC, PWFP and Caltrans District 5 are collaborating to enhance traffic signal operations, which will further improve traffic conditions. According to travel time studies by TAMC, Toro Park residents may see their off-peak trips to the peninsula take an additional 3-4 minutes, while peak hour travel could be extended by 7-8 minutes. A second partial road closure was implemented on Portola Drive at Creekside Terrance near the Monterey County Regional Fire Station 1. The partial road closure at this location prohibits vehicles from traveling southbound and is intended to address cut-through travel along Portola Drive through the Serra Village neighborhood. Slight revisions to the plan may occur to address specific issues that arise during the Project.
The Project aims to re-route traffic that typically diverts from Reservation Road and SR 68 into Toro Park and Serra Village during commute hours to reduce traffic congestion on SR 68. The Project is designed to address safety concerns and congestion in the residential Toro Park communities inundated with aggressive drivers who take Portola Drive as an alternate route and speed through a school zone to re-enter SR 68 at Torero Drive. The Project aims to improve safety in residential areas and to help define a long-term solution to keep traffic from diverting off the Monterey-Salinas Highway.
PWFP staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the proposed retroactive Agreement (Attachment A) with TAMC to fund construction and implementation services for the Project, effective as of the last date opposite the respective signatures of the Agreement until discharged or terminated by mutual consent of the parties, for an amount not to exceed $150,000.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management, and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the Agreement as to form, indemnification and insurance, and fiscal provisions, respectively. The Project involves a partnership and collaboration between TAMC, Caltrans District 5, and the County.
FINANCING:
The Project is financed through Measure X funding. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement between TAMC and the County, the incurred expenses of the County for services relating to the Project will be reimbursed by TAMC. The Agreement is structured so that there is no cost to the County associated with the Agreement with no impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives for Infrastructure and Public Safety. The Project will address the cut through traffic from drivers who use Portola Drive to avoid the recurring congestion along SR 68 during commute hours and will help alleviate traffic congestion for residents and enhance safety for children and families traveling to school or work.
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health and Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Chad Alinio, PE, Senior Civil Engineer, (831) 755-4937
Reviewed by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Proposed Agreement
Attachment B - Location Map