Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Authorizing the Resource Management Agency Director to work with Monterey County's legislative team to develop legislation (2013 omnibus transportation bill) enabling relinquishment of a segment of State Route 68 generally described as the segment from State Route 1 to the western terminus; and
b. Approving Letter of Intent to request Caltrans to initiate the relinquishment process for a segment generally from State Route 1 to Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached resolution (Exhibit A):
a. Authorizing the Resource Management Agency Director to work with Monterey County's legislative team to develop legislation (2013 omnibus transportation bill) enabling relinquishment of a segment of State Route 68 (SR68) generally described as the segment from State Route 1 (SR1) to the western terminus; and
b. Approving Letter of Intent to request Caltrans to initiate the relinquishment process for a segment, to be annexed by the City of Monterey, generally from State Route 1 to Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP).
SUMMARY/ DISCUSSION:
Pebble Beach Company received approval of a project that includes mitigation to improve the intersection where State Route 1 (south) exits to State Route 68 (west), including the 17-Mile Drive access into Pebble Beach. A 5-point signalized intersection was approved as part of the project based on a Project Study Report (PSR) prepared by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The City of Monterey, in coordination with Monterey County, developed an alternative roundabout design that was also analyzed in the Pebble Beach project's environmental impact report (EIR). This roundabout is considered to be an environmentally superior design that improves traffic safety with a minimal footprint to reduce physical impacts to the area; however, Caltrans has indicated that the roundabout design would not likely be able to meet standards for the State to accept the design.
As a result, Monterey County and the City of Monterey staff have considered pursuit of Caltrans relinquishment of a segment of SR68 in order to facilitate the roundabout design at this intersection. This intersection and State Route 68 are located within unincorporated Monterey County abutting the City of Monterey to the north and terminating within the City of Pacific Grove at the west end. The City of Monterey has agreed to pursue annexation of the segment of highway from SR1 to the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). (Exhibit B) Staff discussed possible shared maintenance of this segment as follows: a) signage and striping (City), b) pavement (County), and c) landscape (Pebble Beach Company). With Pebble Beach constructing a new segment of road, maintenance should not be necessary for about 10 years.
California Street and Highways Code, Section 73 et seq authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish a portion of a State highway. A schedule that identifies the steps and estimated timelines is attached as Exhibit C.
Legislation is required before the CTC may relinquish a State facility. Consultation with the stakeholders suggests that the enabling legislation should include the segment from SR1 to the western terminus. Relinquishment would not occur until/unless a local agency submits a request (letter of intent) to Caltrans.
Once a Letter of Intent is submitted to Caltrans, Caltrans performs a required cost-benefit analysis consisting of two parts; 1) Transportation System Analysis Evaluation (TSAE), which takes about 4 months; followed by 2) Project Scope Summary Report (PSSR). The TSAE and PSSR take about 4 months and 6 months to complete, respectively, depending on negotiation of terms (e.g. standard of road conditions). The report findings are presented to the CTC for consideration after the enabling legislation becomes effective (typically January 1 following adoption).
On November 12, 2012, the City of Monterey submitted a letter, with a City Council Resolution adopted on November 6, supporting relinquishment of this intersection and expressing the City's intent to annex the segment of SR68 from SR1 to the CHOMP entrance. On January 16, 2013, the City of Pacific Grove City Council authorized the City Manager to submit a letter expressing support of Monterey's request and expressing interest in relinquishment of portions of the western segment at some point. Correspondence from both cities is attached as Exhibit B. No further relinquishment is desired at this time by either the City of Monterey or Monterey County. County staff has clearly stated that County does not have any intent to pursue relinquishment of portions of SR68 unless a city agrees to annex that land.
County is working with the City of Monterey staff to pursue relinquishment of the CHOMP segment because it is currently in the unincorporated County and the City has agreed to pursue annexation of the land if it is relinquished. If either city expresses a desire to annex and relinquish any other portion outside the current City of Monterey boundary, County staff would coordinate with city staff in a similar fashion. Once the legislation is in place (January 2014), the City of Pacific Grove would be able to initiate relinquishment for the portion within their city limits any time.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Matters relative to the roundabout design and right of way relinquishment includes coordinated efforts among Resource Management Agency (RMA), RMA-Planning, RMA-Public Works, TAMC, City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, Caltrans and the Pebble Beach Company.
RMA staff has consulted with the Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs staff which has determined that the proposed legislative action is consistent with the Monterey County Legislative Program 2013-14, Principle #8 related to Transportation, Infrastructure and Environment as follows: "Support efforts to fund Monterey County transportationÂ…to obtain regulatory approvals, and to streamline the process for permit acquisition and project implementation." This item is scheduled to be presented to the Board's Legislative Committee on Monday, January 28. Staff will present any changes recommended by this committee.
FINANCING:
The recommended action has no direct financial impact to the General Fund. Staff time would be required to process relinquishment, if so directed, with potential costs for related reviews, preparation, hearings, etc. Required staff efforts would become part of the work program included in the approved budget for the RMA Admin Unit 8222, RMA013. Future costs related to roadway maintenance would be funded out of the Road Fund 002.
Due to the late submission of this Board Report, the CAO Budget and Analysis Division was not provided adequate time to fully review for potential fiscal, organizational policy, or other implications to the County of Monterey.
Prepared by: Carl P. Holm, Resource Management Agency Deputy Director
Approved by: Benny J. Young, Resource Management Agency Director
cc: Front Counter Copy; Board of Supervisor's (16); County Counsel; RMA-Planning; RMA-Public Works, TAMC (D Hale), City of Monterey (L Caraker), City of Pacific Grove (L Burgess), Caltrans (T Gubbins), the Pebble Beach Company (M Stilwell)
Attachments:
Exhibit A Resolution
1. Draft Letter of Intent
Exhibit B Letters from Cities (Monterey, Pacific Grove)
Exhibit C Process/Schedule