Title
a. Receive a Status Report on the 2016 Soberanes Fire and 2017 Winter Storm Repair Projects;
b. Receive a Status Report on the 2019 Winter Storms Repair Projects;
c. Receive a Status Report on the 2020 Fire Damage Repair Projects;
d. Receive a Status Report on the 2021 Winter Storms Repair Projects; and
e. Receive a Status Report on the 2023 Winter Storms Repair Projects.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Receive a Status Report on the 2016 Soberanes Fire and 2017 Winter Storm Repair Projects;
b. Receive a Status Report on the 2019 Winter Storms Repair Projects;
c. Receive a Status Report on the 2020 Fire Damage Repair Projects;
d. Receive a Status Report on the 2021 Winter Storms Repair Projects; and
e. Receive a Status Report on the 2023 Winter Storms Repair Projects.
SUMMARY:
Monterey County experienced several natural disaster events in recent years causing significant damage to its roadway infrastructure. In fiscal year (FY) 2016-17, the 2016 Soberanes Fire and the 2017 Winter Storms caused approximately $51.2 million in damages to County roads, lands, and infrastructure. In FY 2018-19, more winter storm systems hit Monterey County, causing widespread damage, with cost estimates reaching $3.5 million. In FY 2020-21, the 2020 River Fire, 2020 Carmel Fire, 2020 Dolan Fire, and 2021 January winter storms resulted in approximately $8.0 million in damages. In FY 2022-2023, severe winter storm systems hit Monterey County, causing widespread damage, with cost estimates reaching $76.2 million.
As of December 31, 2023, the County has completed 91 repair projects (totaling $37.2 million) and received reimbursements from federal and state entities totaling $23.2 million for the 2017, 2019 and 2021 Winter Storms. Repair projects are in various stages and are grouped together for discussion: 2016 Soberanes Fire & 2017 Winter Storm Repair Projects; 2019 Winter Storm Repair Projects; 2020 Fire Damage Repair Projects; 2021 Winter Storm Repair Projects; and 2023 Winter Storm Repair Projects.
DISCUSSION:
2016 SOBERANES FIRE & 2017 WINTER STORM PROJECTS
As a result of the 2016 Soberanes Fire and 2017 Winter Storms, Monterey County Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department (PWFP) submitted 120 project worksheets to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for repair projects currently totaling $51.2 million.
The Board of Supervisors approved 73 projects at a total estimated cost of $40.6 million. In addition, the US Forest Service are completing projects on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road that are within the Ventana Forest lands. FEMA/FHWA/State obligated $22.5 million and thus far reimbursed the County $18.2 million. The County’s share is $18.1 million and is funded with Board-approved Disaster Assistance Assignment, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and Road Fund Measure X revenues. (Attachment A)
Of these projects, 58 have been completed at the cost of $27.5 million and include projects such as Palo Colorado Mile Post 3.3 (MP 3.3, Rocky Creek), Cachagua Road, Elkhorn Road, and Robinson Canyon. Of the 58, ten (10) projects with a total cost of $1.5 million have been completed but were subsequently determined to be ineligible for reimbursement.
These BOS approved completed projects are a subset of the first category listed in the Summary and shown in Attachment A.
There are 15 projects that are approved by the Board and in process with estimated costs of $13.2 million. Many of these projects are in the design or environmental/permitting phase. Notably, the four Palo Colorado MP 4.0-7.4 (aka: “Upper Palo Colorado”) projects are included in the group of projects to be yet completed with estimated costs of $8.9 million, an obligation of $2.2 million, and a County match of approximately $6.6 million. The Board approved proceeding with the initial design and permitting phase of the Palo Colorado MP 4.0-7.4 project. As part of this initial phase, the draft plans and preliminary environmental review have been completed and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document is being drafted. As reported previously, staff is working with FEMA on trying to acquire time extensions for some projects. For the other projects deemed ineligible, PWFP would address these damages as part of future planned road projects. These pending projects are the second category listed in the Summary and shown in Attachment A.
2019 WINTER STORM PROJECTS
PWFP staff initially identified 16 emergency response and repair projects at various locations throughout the County at a total estimated cost of $3.5 million. Nine (9) projects qualified for California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding and four (4) of these also qualified for FEMA/CDAA funding for a total amount of $2.0 million of eligible work. PWFP has spent $2.4 million and received $1.5 million in reimbursements. All the projects that qualified for reimbursement have been completed, with the exception of certain repairs at Laguna Seca. These repairs will be performed as a future project, outside of this program.
Seven (7) projects were deemed ineligible for State or Federal assistance because the damages occurred outside of the declared incident periods. PWFP will be incorporating any ineligible projects not yet completed into PWFP’s regular maintenance work schedule. (Attachment B)
2020 FIRE DAMAGE PROJECTS
The wildland fires (River Fire, Carmel Fire, and Dolan Fire) impacted many county roadways and facilities during the summer of 2020. The County identified seven (7) emergency response and repair projects. The total road damages are estimated at $2.5 million, which includes $1.9 million of completed projects and $575,00 in progress at Toro Parks.
Of these seven (7) projects, five (5) are completed. All projects were submitted to FEMA for funding eligibility consideration and two (2) continue to be under review by FEMA for eligibility under an appeal. Details are shown in Attachment C.
2021 WINTER STORM PROJECTS
In January 2021, the County experienced an atmospheric river event that resulted in intense precipitation and significant run-off and debris flow on several roads in central Salinas Valley, the Carmel region, and the Big Sur area. The volume of run-off and debris was exacerbated by the fire scars from the River Fire and Carmel Fire and resulted in flooding of roads, plugged culverts, and considerable debris deposited along County roadways. The road damage on County roads is estimated at $5.4 million. To address the road and County park damages, PWFP staff identified a total of fourteen (14) emergency and response projects. All of the identified projects have been completed, as shown in Attachment D.
The costs of these projects were submitted to the State for reimbursement approval under the FHWA/Caltrans Emergency Relief (ER) Program or CDAA program, depending on the project location. PWFP has received $3.9 million in reimbursement from CDAA and Caltrans/FHWA.
The damage estimates do not include the damage estimate for Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (a US Forest Service highway) nor the damage estimates of private properties.
2023 WINTER STORMS PROJECTS
Beginning around December 27, 2022, Monterey County experienced an extended series of winter storm events and significant sustained storms which lasted until mid-March 2023, with marginal respite in-between storm events. Moreover, the Pajaro River reached near record high water levels, breaching the levees, and flooding the unincorporated community of Pajaro, including numerous roads in the Pajaro Valley. In addition, the Salinas River attained high river water levels that inundated lands adjacent to the river, damaging private properties and County infrastructure nearby with floodwaters and scouring action. The significant rainfall, wind, and flooding associated with this extended series of storms caused a total of approximately $76.2 million ($26 million from December 2022 and January 2023 storms and $50.2 million from March 2023 storms) in damage to County roads, bridges, parks, drainage, and related infrastructure.
PWFP has identified a total of 32 projects, including debris removal, that were identified and submitted to FEMA and Caltrans/FHWA. The debris removal and smaller projects have been completed. However, staff continues to work with Cal OES and FEMA staff to update project costs on these repair projects. The County of Monterey has received a total of $23 million cash advance from the State to help offset emergency response expenses and cash-flow some storm repairs. Approximately $18.2 million are assigned to offset expenses for PWFP. The projects are shown in Attachments E and F.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
PWFP staff continues to coordinate with the Department of Emergency Management and the County Administrative Office to accurately track and categorize the projects.
FINANCING:
For the 2017 Winter Storms, the County has received $18.5 million in FEMA/FHWA/CDAA reimbursements and spent $31.9 million to date on all projects. The Board provided $13.0 million in County Match, which is estimated to cover 73 Board approved projects. Additional funds still need to be identified for the additional four (4) Palo Colorado projects approved by the Board, estimated at $8.9 million. Projects not approved by the Board or deemed ineligible by FEMA will be considered and compete against all other Road Fund projects for Measure X, SB 1, TOT, and HUTA funds through the 5-year Capital Improvement Program process.
The 2019 Winter Storm Projects have received reimbursements of $1.5 million from FEMA and CDAA. A total of $2.4 million has been spent, and fourteen (14) projects are complete. On December 10, 2019, the Board approved using Road Fund revenues, including HUTA ($770,000), SB 1 ($1.7 million), for financing the projects.
The 2020 Fire Damage Projects have received reimbursements of $106,945 from FEMA and CDAA. A total of $2.1 million has been spent and the Road Fund is cash-flowing the repair projects expenditures until reimbursements are received.
The 2021 Winter Storm Projects have received reimbursements of $3.9 million from CDAA. A total of $5.4 million has been spent and the Road Fund is cash-flowing the repair projects expenditures until reimbursements are received.
Staff continues to work with Cal OES and FEMA staff to update project costs on the 2023 Winter Storm repair projects. A total of $27.8 million has been spent and the County has received an $18.2 million cash advance from the State to help offset emergency response expenses and cash-flow some storm repairs.
Prepared by: Enrique Saavedra, Chief of Public Works, (831) 755-8970
Chetna Patel, Management Analyst, (831) 755- 6653
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - 2017 Winter Storm & Soberanes Fire Projects
Attachment B - 2019 Winter Storm Projects
Attachment C - 2020 Fire Damage Projects
Attachment D - 2021 Winter Storm Projects
Attachment E - 2023 January Winter Storm Projects
Attachment F - 2023 March Winter Storm Projects