Title
Add the Fern Canyon Road Emergency Repair Project and the Arroyo Seco Road Mile Post (MP) 0.75 Emergency Repair Project to the Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Annual Work Program for Road Fund.
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors add the Fern Canyon Road Emergency Repair Project and the Arroyo Seco Road Mile Post (MP) 0.75 Emergency Repair Project to the Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) FY 2025/26 Annual Work Program for Road Fund.
SUMMARY:
On February 13, 2025, an atmospheric river winter storm occurred in the County of Monterey (County). Damages occurred through primarily the Salinas, North County, and Peninsula regions, with infrastructure damages resulting in some cases. One of those was along Fern Canyon Road in the Carmel Highlands; the other was in the inland/mountain area of Arroyo Seco, on Arroyo Seco Road at MP 0.75. This event was not a local, State, nor federally declared emergency. Based on review by staff and specialists, the recommendation is to repair both locations using soil retaining wall system, specifically soil nail walls. The total for the 2 sites is approximately $996,500 and is proposed to be funded using the County Road Fund’s operational reserve for this FY 2025-26 storm season. If approved, staff’s plan is to have a specialty contractor repair these sites via Job Order Contracting (JOC) before this impending rainy season.
DISCUSSION:
On February 13, 2025, an atmospheric river winter storm occurred in the County and the Central Coast region. Generally, the County experienced heavy rainfall that flooded roads, with some downed trees and tree branches and power outages at a County building in the North County and coastal regions. Though various first responders from law enforcement, fire agencies, Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) - Public Works (PWFP - Public Works), Department of Emergency Management, and others were deployed, there was not a local, State, or federal proclamation of emergency declared for the County.
Through the course of the atmospheric river and in the days following the rain event, PWFP - Public Works staff was informed that there were 2 road slip outs, one on Fern Canyon Road, and the other at Arroyo Seco Road MP 0.75. Upon receiving notification regarding the road slip outs, staff conducted site visits to determine the extent of damages. For the Fern Canyon Road location, staff made the area safe for use by the public by temporarily closing a portion of the road, and detouring traffic around the slip out. Though the public has been able to use the 2 access points on either side of Fern Canyon Road, the slip out damage remains. For Arroyo Seco Road, the road is still passable, but the slip out is increasing in size. At this time, in consideration of the pending rainy season, PWFP - Public Works staff have been devising plans on how to address the 2 road locations, including recommending a permanent repair and obviate further damages to the road. PWFP Public Works engineering staff proactively returned to the site with a JOC contractor and specialty subcontractor to determine if the initially proposed repair method was still suitable, and to refresh their cost estimate.
Given the costs for the permanent repairs are expected to exceed $100,000, the project needs to be included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and added to the Annual Work Program for the Road Fund. As such, staff is recommending the project be added and programmed into the County CIP and Annual Work Program for the Road Fund.
Through the JOC process, Granite Rock Company was selected for this project. Commencing in October 2025 would result in anticipated completion at the end of December 2025. The estimated project cost is approximately $996,500 and will be funded by Fund 002, Road Fund. The project will be added to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and PWFP will bring a follow up report to the Board of Supervisors via the Capital Improvement Committee and Budget Committee. Both repair locations are proposed to be completed concurrently given the similar repair method and contractor availability.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was reviewed by the County Administrative Office Budget & Analysis Division. The Budget Committee supported the recommended actions at its September 24, 2025 meeting. This item was brought to the Capital Improvement Committee at its Special October 17, 2025 meeting.
FINANCING:
The cost to construct the repairs at both locations is estimated at $996,500.
There is not a request for General Fund for this item. Funding for the Fern Canyon Road and Arroyo Seco Road emergency repair projects is proposed to be from the Operational Reserve of Road Fund, which is unprogrammed SB 1 funds assigned to the Road Fund (Fund 002) for roadway repairs and improvements. Appropriations are available in the Road Fund for FY 2025-26 Budget in Fund 002, Appropriation Unit PFP004.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The recommended action supports the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals by enabling PWFP to repair storm-damaged roads with modern soil nail wall methods that make these sites more resilient to to future storm impacts, thereby enhancing public safety.
_x_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_x_ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
___ Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Reviewed by: Jessica Cordiero-Martinez, Finance Manager III
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachment: Attachment A - Project Budget