Title
a. Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study for the Prunedale Roundabout Project (“County Project No. 1176” or “Project”);
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
c. Authorize the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) to proceed with the Project.
Report
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study for the Prunedale Roundabout Project (County Project No. 1176);
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
c. Authorize PWFP to proceed with the project.
Proposed California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) action: Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Initial Study, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Prunedale Roundabout Project 1176.
DISCUSSION:
The Prunedale Roundabout Project (the Project, County Project No. 1176) includes replacing the existing one-way stop-controlled intersection at San Miguel Canyon Road and Castroville Boulevard with a single-lane roundabout (Attachment A). The purpose of the Project is to improve safety at the intersection and thus reduce the severity of vehicular collisions, particularly broadside collisions. Roundabouts are proven countermeasures that slow vehicle speeds and virtually eliminate severe angle crashes.
The County of Monterey (County) identified the intersection of San Miguel Canyon Road and Castroville Boulevard as a high-collision location, through the G-12 Pajaro to Prunedale Corridor Study (a collaborative effort led by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), in partnership with the County and Caltrans). The County applied for, and was awarded, grant funds for the roundabout from the Cycle 10 Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). To address the safety concerns and fulfill the objectives of the HSIP, the study proposed a single-lane roundabout at this intersection.
On March 22, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) to enter into a Master Agreement Administering Agency-State Agreement for State-Funded Projects (Agreement No. 05-5944S21) with Caltrans. On June 7, 2023, the Board approved Professional Services Agreement No.: A-16363 with CONSOR North America, Inc. (Consor) via Request for Proposals #1176, to provide professional engineering design services and environmental services for the project for an initial term of 3 years effective June 6, 2023 to June 5, 2026, for a total amount not to exceed $952,248; and subsequently amended to $1,233,366. On August 10, 2024, the County held a Public Community Workshop to present the Project to the local community.
SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA), under a subcontract with Consor, prepared an Initial Study and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), dated December 2024, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to assess potential environmental impacts of the Project (Attachment B). A Notice of Intent (NOI) to Adopt an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was filed with the Monterey County Clerk on February 14, 2025.
The IS/MND was circulated through the State Clearinghouse, a Division of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation which coordinates the State-level review of Environmental Documents prepared pursuant to CEQA for the required 30-day public review period from February 14, 2025 through March 17, 2025. Comment letters were received during the circulation period. The Project team concluded that the issues raised in the comment letters do not require modifications or changes to the IS/MND.
SWCA has also prepared a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines (Attachment C). The proposed findings for adoption of the IS/MND and MMRP are contained in the draft Board Resolution (Attachment D). Staff recommend adoption of the IS/MND and MMRP and authorization for PWFP to proceed with further project development.
Currently, the Project is at a 30% design stage. The Project design is anticipated to be completed by the end of the 2025 calendar year.
FINANCING:
Funding for the Project is provided through a combination of local and grant sources. The HSIP is contributing a grant of $2,189,600. The County is providing $783,368 from Measure X and an additional $185,000 from Traffic Impact Fees. The Project budget is summarized in Attachment E. The current project phase is fully funded by these sources and does not require the use of General Fund resources. Staff will continue to monitor and pursue additional funding opportunities to support future phases of the Project, including right-of-way acquisition and construction.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board’s Strategic Initiatives in the following areas:
___ Economic Development
___ Administration
___ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Maribel Ramos-Peredia, Assistant Engineer (831-755-4589)
Reviewed by: J. Erich Rauber, PE, GE, Sr. Civil Engineer
Enrique M. Saavedra, PE, Chief, Public Works
Crystal Corpuz, Finance Manager I
Mary Grace Perry, Deputy County Counsel
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director, Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
- Attachment A - Location Map
- Attachment B - Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Attachment C - Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
- Attachment D - Resolution
- Attachment E - Project Budget