Title
Acting on behalf of County Service Area No. 15-Toro Park/Serra Village (hereinafter “CSA 15”), adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget for CSA No. 15, Fund 056, Appropriation Unit PFP010, increasing appropriations and operating transfer in by $100,000 (4/5th vote required);
b. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to transfer $100,000 for FY 2025-26 from Fund 002, Appropriation Unit PFP004 to Fund 056, Appropriation Unit PFP010, where the operating transfer is from Road Fund’s Community Roads Maintenance Program (CRMP) fund of Supervisorial District 5 and Road Fund has sufficient appropriations available in the adopted budget (4/5th vote required); and
c. Find that the Toro Park Pilot Project No. 2 is categorically exempt per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Proposed CEQA Action: Categorically Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors, acting on behalf of County Service Area No. 15-Toro Park/Serra Village (hereinafter “CSA 15”), adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget for CSA No. 15, Fund 056, Appropriation Unit PFP010, increasing appropriations and operating transfer in by $100,000 (4/5th vote required);
b. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to transfer $100,000 for FY 2025-26 from Fund 002, Appropriation Unit PFP004 to Fund 056, Appropriation Unit PFP010, where Road Fund has sufficient appropriations available in the adopted budget; and
c. Find that the Toro Park Pilot Project No. 2 is categorically exempt per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
CSA 15-Toro Park/Serra Village (CSA 15) was formed in 1962 to provide street lighting and maintenance for storm drainage, streets and sidewalks, and park and open space. The CSA is located on the western side of Highway 68 between River Road and San Benancio Road. CSA 15 revenue is provided by annual assessments on 813 parcels, AB8 funds from general property tax and interest on fund balance. A budget appropriation is necessary to fund projects not initially included in the budget including improvements to park equipment, such as swings, playground areas, benches, tables and basketball courts. This request involves a project that the CSA does not currently have funding for but is willing to implement if funding is provided.
The proposed pilot project is called the Toro Park Pilot Project No. 2 (“Project”). This project is an evolution of the previous Toro Park Pilot Project, which took place from July 12, 2024, to July 11, 2025. In that previous project, concerns regarding safety and congestion on Portola Drive related to congestion along the State Route (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 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.
At the July 8, 2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting, TAMC and the County entered into a Regional Reimbursement Agreement (Agreement) to allow the County to receive reimbursement for implementing the original pilot project.
Since ending the first pilot project, there have been continued concerns of the return of pre-project cut-through traffic into the community. Several meetings were held among TAMC, County, the School District, and members of the Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs), to discuss lessons learned from the previous pilot and devise potential options for another pilot project. Through the course of these meetings, the proposed Project was created, that would address peak hour morning cut through traffic congestion impacting the Toro Park neighborhood. Unlike the previous pilot, this Project is designed to address the cut through morning traffic through a limited time-of-day partial road closure for westbound Portola Drive traffic, for the time period of approximately 6:00AM to 9:00AM, Monday through Friday, coinciding with the school traffic and school year. The Project implements a partial road closure and will block westbound traffic at the driveway of Toro Elementary School, between the intersections of Torero Drive and Portola Drive, and Davenrich Street and Portola Drive; thereby prohibiting vehicles from entering the highway from Torero Drive. After the morning partial closure period, the road closure will be taken down. This will allow two-way travel along Portola Drive, as though the road closure did not exist. It will then be reinstated the following workday in a cyclic fashion. The partial road closure is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce the daily 20-minute wait that many Salinas commuters experience. Slight revisions to the plan may occur to address specific issues that arise during the Project.
The Project is expected to be implemented on August 6, 2025 (the start of school) to provide an opportunity to observe traffic patterns and make adjustments as needed. The Project is expected to be in effect through June 2026. 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.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, a town hall was held with the Toro Park community to discuss this Project. The community provided consensus with the Project. Through the course of the dialogue, it was recommended that the CSA 15 be the implementers of the Project. Subsequently, the CSA 15 Advisory Committee held a Special Meeting on July 31, 2025, where they agreed to implement the Project, with the use of outside funds to reimburse the CSA for the expenses.
CSA 15 is willing to implement the proposed Toro Park Pilot Project No. 2, with implementation costs estimated to be $100,000.
CEQA
This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines as a Class 1 exemption for minor alteration of existing public facilities, which includes minor alterations to existing streets and other similar alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes. This project would convert an existing intersection into a roundabout and would not involve the creation of additional lanes.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
PWFP coordinated this recommendation with the County Administrative Office Budget & Analysis Division. The Project involves a partnership and collaboration among TAMC, Caltrans District 5, the School District, CSA 15, the various Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) in Toro Park, and the County. This item was supported and directed by the CSA 15 Advisory Committee at its July 31, 2025 Special Meeting. This item has been approved to bypass the Budget Committee meeting.
FINANCING:
Total estimated cost for the project is $100,000. If this is approved, the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget appropriations for County Service Area 15-Toro Park/Serra Village (Fund 056, Appropriation Unit PFP010) will increase by $100,000, funded by an operating transfer from Road Fund’s Community Roads Maintenance Program (CRMP) fund of Supervisorial District 5.
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 & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Reviewed by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
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 - Resolution
Attachment B - Location Map