Title
a. Accept a $200,000 grant from the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) AB 2766 grant program for the construction of the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout Project; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP), or designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept a $200,000 grant from the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) AB 2766 grant program for the construction of the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout Project; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP), or designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
Grant Program Background
California Assembly Bill 2766 (AB 2766 Clean Air Management Grant Program) signed into law in 1990 permits the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) to allocate a $4.00 per vehicle registration surcharge fee towards grant projects that reduce motor vehicle emissions, such as roundabouts. The MBARD administers the grant funds through its AB2766 Clean Air Management Grant Program. These grant funds are available to public and private agencies as well as residents in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Grant funds are awarded based on the cost effectives ratio of the emission reduction by the project and the maximum grant award is $400,000 per project.
Grant Application and Project Background
Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) staff determined the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout Project (Project) met the AB2766 Clean Air Management Grant Program's goals and requirements and proceeded to apply for the Grant. The Project is in Carmel Valley where Carmel Valley Road intersects with Laureles Grade. Data indicates this intersection satisfies the crash experience warrant for signalization per the Transportation Agency of Monterey County's (TAMC) Regional Roundabout Study based on existing and projected traffic volumes. Additionally, the Carmel Valley Road Corridor Study identified a roundabout at this intersection as one of its alternative improvements. On October 5, 2018, the Carmel Valley Road Advisory Committee approved a motion to proceed with designing the project, which entailed using the Carmel Valley Traffic Mitigation Fees (CVTMF) for professional engineering services required for design. This project aims to significantly improve a key regional route connecting Salinas Valley to Carmel Valley by improving overall traffic flow through the intersection, reducing idling and speeding. On April 18, 2023, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors found the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout Project categorically exempt per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The design phase is currently 95% complete and scheduled for completion before the end of this fiscal year (June 2024), with the construction phase to follow. Construction will occur in phases and allow for traffic flow during construction.
PWFP staff applied for a grant for this Project and was successfully awarded an AB2766 grant by MBARD in the amount of $200,000 towards the construction of the Project. Acceptance of the grant will provide necessary funding in the amount of $200,000 for the construction of the Project and reduce the County’s portion.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
MBARD has awarded an AB2766 grant in the amount of $200,000 towards construction of the Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout Project.
FINANCING:
This grant in the amount of $200,000 will be used to complement Carmel Valley Road Traffic Impact Fees for the construction of the Project. The Project’s estimated total cost, including engineering, environmental, right-of-way and construction, is $5,086,255. The main source of funding for this Project is Carmel Valley Road Traffic Impact Fees. Sufficient appropriations are available for the current Project phase in the Public Works FY 24 Annual Work Program for Road Fund, Fund 002, Unit 8558.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The existing Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade intersection has outlived its design life, currently the intersection satisfies the four-hour or peak hour warrant based on existing and projected future traffic volume and also meets the crash experience warrant for signalization. This Project aims to replace the existing intersection with a modern roundabout to create a safer and more efficient passageway to meet the traffic needs by building sustainable physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and visitors. The recommended action supports the following Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives:
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health and Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Jose Miguel Sanchez, EIT, Assistant Engineer
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 - Project Budget
Attachment B - Location Map