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a. Adopt a Resolution to approve the submittal of applications and all documents necessary to secure a funding allocation under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery programs administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development as the Proposed Projects (Davis Road Bridge Replacement and Road Widening Project and Gonzales River Road Bridge Replacement Project) have unmet financial needs and there is not another funding source that can be used to provide the required matching funds for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program for the Proposed Projects; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, or designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation necessary to secure these funds; and
c. Direct PWFP staff to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award(s).
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a Resolution to approve the submittal of applications and all documents necessary to secure a funding allocation under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery programs administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development as the Proposed Projects (Davis Road Bridge Replacement and Road Widening Project and Gonzales River Road Bridge Replacement Project) have unmet financial needs and there is not another funding source that can be used to provide the required matching funds for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program for the Proposed Projects; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, or designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation necessary to secure these funds; and
c. Direct PWFP staff to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of any grant award(s).
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey (County), Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) staff coordinated with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) regarding the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in February 2025. In that process, PWFP provided a list of County infrastructure projects near construction phase with unmet needs. A non-competitive funding allocation in the amount of $32,385,325 has been made available for County infrastructure and mitigation projects through the CDBG Disaster Recovery Infrastructure (DR-INF) and Mitigation Program (MIT-RIPP).
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $416,597,000 in CDBG-DR funds to the State of California to support long-term recovery efforts following the 2023 and 2024 severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides (FEMA Disaster Numbers 4699, 4707, and 4758). This allocation was made available through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025. The funds are designed to address unmet needs that remain after all other assistance has been exhausted and funds will be administered by State HCD. Of those funds, $126,126,570 is allocated between two CDBG-DR programs: CDBG-DR Infrastructure (DR-INF) and Mitigation Resilient Infrastructure & Planning Program (MIT-RIPP) programs. CBDG-DR funds have been allocated to several agencies in California (Attachment B) including the County. An allocation of funds totaling $32,385,325 is available to the County for infrastructure and mitigation projects with unmet needs.
DR-INF Program: Eligible projects must have a tie-back to the 2023 disaster, meet a HUD national objective (benefit persons who earn 80% or less of the area median income per HUD data [Low/Moderate Income] or Urgent Need) and eligible activities include the following: acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation of public facilities or improvements. All infrastructure projects are required to satisfy all environmental review requirements prior to starting construction. A total of $25,486,097 in DR-INF funds have been allocated to the County.
MIT-RIPP Program- Eligible projects include mitigation activities that increase resilience to future disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property and suffering and hardship and meet a HUD national objective (Low/Moderate Income or Urgent Need). A total of $6,899,228 in MIT-RIPP funds have been allocated to the County.
Eligible projects must be consistent with the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Larger projects are encouraged and projects need to be completed and closed out by June of 2030. The CDBG-DR application portal opened October 17, 2025, and will close February 27, 2026. Separate applications are required for each project site and a public hearing is required for the authorizing resolution. PWFP staff intends to continue coordinating with State HCD to learn additional program details, and shape/submit proposed project applications to secure the funding allocations.
Proposed Projects
PWFP proposes two critical infrastructure projects to receive CDBG-DR funding; The Davis Road Bridge Replacement and Road Widening Project (County Project No. 3853) and the Gonzales River Road Bridge Replacement Project (County Project No. 3600) (collectively referred to as ‘Projects’) (Attachment C). The Projects have unmet needs, meet the HUD national objective, and are almost construction ready. The Projects improve existing bridges that sustained extensive damage during the successive atmospheric river storm events of 2023 and were completely submerged by flood waters. These flooded conditions resulted in months of road and bridge closure as PWFP worked to safely re-open the affected roadways. The flooding and road closures hinder emergency response, evacuations, and limit community access to essential services and destinations.
The recommended action will adopt the subject Resolution and authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (or designee) to submit applications and all documents necessary to secure CBDG-DR allocations (DR-INF and MIT-RIPP). Implementing the Projects will provide each community with resilient infrastructure to reduce the long-term safety risk of flooding and associated damage, and road closures.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
PWFP staff coordinated with the County Administrative Office, and State HCD regarding timing of reimbursements for expenditures and application requirements respectively. State HCD established the prescribed language of the Draft Resolution that must accompany all CDBG-DR applications. The Office of the County Counsel reviewed and approved the Draft Resolution as to form.
FINANCING:
The $32,385,325 CDBG-DR allocation will fill a significant portion of the funding gap for the Projects (Attachment C). The Davis Road Bridge Replacement and Road Widening Project has a funding gap of approximately $30 million, and the Gonzales River Road Bridge Replacement Project has a funding gap of approximately $4.2 million.
Both Projects are also funded with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program and the CDBG-DR allocation will serve as the required matching contribution. Because all of these are reimbursable grants, the Road Fund will need to provide upfront cash flow until reimbursements are received.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The recommended action will support enhancing public safety and building resilient, sustainable infrastructure which is consistent with the following Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Kyle Oyama, Project Manager II (831) 755-5090
Janie Bettencourt, Management Analyst II, (831) 755-5184
Approved by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks,
Attachments:
Attachment A - Resolution- CDBG Disaster Recovery Programs
Attachment B - Allocation of CDBG-DR Funds by County
Attachment C - Proposed Project Summaries