Title
Adopt a resolution:
1) Certifying that Monterey County considered the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Certified Environmental Impact Report;
2) Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan;
3) Approving the Master Agreement for the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Project between and among the Transportation Agency for Monterey County; the County of Monterey; the Cities of Seaside, Marina, Monterey, and Del Rey Oaks; California State University Monterey Bay; University of California Santa Cruz; and Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District; and
4) Authorizing the Chair of the Board to execute the Agreement.
Proposed CEQA Action: Consider the Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2019060053) previously certified by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Project and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan.
Project Title: REF200024/Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway
Project Location: 28 miles of paved trails in and around the former Fort Ord (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution:
1) Certifying that Monterey County considered the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Certified Environmental Impact Report;
2) Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan;
3) Approving the Master Agreement for the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Project between and among the Transportation Agency for Monterey County; the County of Monterey; the Cities of Seaside, Marina, Monterey, and Del Rey Oaks; California State University Monterey Bay; University of California Santa Cruz; and Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District; and
4) Authorizing the Chair of the Board to execute the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On March 25, 2020, the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) Project, adopted its Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) (Attachments 1 and 2 respectively to Attachment A-Draft Resolution). The Board of Directors also approved the Master Agreement between and among the associated agencies regarding the Final EIR and execution of the FORTAG Project within their respective jurisdictions (Attachment B).
The proposed FORTAG Project is an approximate 28-mile, continuous, 12-foot-wide paved bicycle and pedestrian trail with 2-foot-wide unpaved shoulders with an open-space buffer on each side. This trail will connect the Monterey Peninsula cities via the existing Monterey Bay Coastal Trail to the California State Monterey Bay University campus through the Former Fort Ord open space area. Approximately eight (8) miles of trail runs through the unincorporated area of Monterey County (excluding California State University Monterey Bay lands).
TAMC’s Board of Directors also approved and distributed the Master Agreement to the parties for their consideration and approval and requested that all responsible agencies enter into the proposed Master Agreement to facilitate next steps toward the planning, design, funding, and implementation of the FORTAG Project. Specifically, TAMC advised that all responsible agencies must approve the Project before June 24, 2020, for it to be eligible to receive funding through the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for Phase 1 of the Canyon Del Rey/State Route 218 segment. This CTC grant would provide $11 million for a segment that traverses properties within the Cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside.
On May 12, 2020, the Board of Supervisors considered the proposed Master Agreement and supported that staff return with the final Master Agreement to the Board as soon as possible and no later than June 24, 2020. Per the proposed Master Agreement, the County would take ownership of the FORTAG segments within the unincorporated County after construction and be responsible for ongoing operation and maintenance. The following mitigation measures are required during operation and maintenance of FORTAG trail segments, and will require contribution of County staff time and funding:
AG-4(b) Maintain fencing and signage and replace as needed.
AG-4(c) Collect litter attributed to trail use and remove solid waste from trash receptacles on a reasonable, periodic basis.
AG-4 Maintain dog waste disposal facilities throughout operation.
HAZ-4 Maintain and replace fencing, as needed, along the Northern Marina or Northern Loop segments to prevent trail users from accessing the Marina Airport property.
Staff recommends that the Board certify that it considered the FORTAG Certified EIR, adopt the MMRP, approve the Master Agreement, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Master Agreement as to form.
On March 25, 2020, the TAMC Board of Directors approved the proposed Master Agreement and distributed it to the parties for their consideration and recommended approval. Other parties to the Master Agreement include: the Cities of Seaside, Marina, Monterey, and Del Rey Oaks; California State University Monterey Bay; University of California Santa Cruz; and Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.
FINANCING:
County staff time to consider the proposed Master Agreement and prepare this report is funded through RMA FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget (001-3000). No additional costs are anticipated this fiscal year.
The design, environmental review, and if this recommendation is approved, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the FORTAG segments in the unincorporated area of the County will be funded primarily through the voter-approved sales tax Measure X, and supplemented by any state or federal grant award(s) as secured. Measure X included construction costs as part of the regional (TAMC) portion. As the proposed FORTAG Project moves forward, staff time will be needed from various County departments for coordination with project partners, review and processing of the design, environmental analysis, permitting, acquisition of rights-of-way and easements, and ultimately, construction.
Costs to operate and maintain trails such as FORTAG vary considerably depending on final design, usage, level of maintenance, security, and other factors. Staff estimates the cost for operation and maintenance of the approximate eight (8) miles of FORTAG trail segments in unincorporated Monterey County could total $897,120 ($112,140 per mile) over seven (7) years. The annual cost spread over seven (7) years is an average total cost of $177,120 per year ($22,140 per mile per year). The cost estimate details and assumptions are provided in Attachment C. The above mitigation measures would be in addition to the typical maintenance costs. While local Measure X funds can be used for maintenance, their use deducts from much-needed funding for County roads. Staff will work with TAMC and other project partners to determine costs and identify options for funding for long-term management and maintenance of the proposed FORTAG trail system that do not impact local agencies further.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action is consistent with the Board of Supervisor’s Strategic Initiatives for Infrastructure, Economic Development and Health and Human Services to plan and develop a physical infrastructure that improves the health and quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
X Economic Development
___ Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
___ Public Safety
Prepared by: Melanie Beretti, Property Administration/Special Programs Manager (831) 755-5285
Approved by: Shawne Ellerbee, RMA Deputy Director of Administrative Services
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
Attachments:
Attachment A-Draft Resolution
Attachment B-FORTAG Master Agreement
Attachment C-FORTAG Trail Operation and Maintenance Cost Estimate
(Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board)