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;
e. Receive a Status Report on the 2022/2023 Winter Storms Repair Projects; and
f. Consider retroactively adding the 2022/2023 Winter Storm Repair Projects to the FY 2022-23 Annual Work Program for Road Fund.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Capital Improvement 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;
e. Receive a Status Report on the 2022/2023 Winter Storms Repair Projects; and
f. Consider retroactively adding the 2022/2023 Winter Storm Repair Projects to the FY 2022-23 Annual Work Program for Road Fund.
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 $61.8 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 $5.2 million. In FY 2020-21, the 2020 River Fire, 2020 Carmel Fire, 2020 Dolan Fire, and 2021 January winter storms resulted in approximately $7.9 million in damages.
To date, the County has completed 87 repair projects (totaling $33.2 million) and received reimbursements from federal and state entities totaling $18.9 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; and 2021 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 121 project worksheets to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for repair projects currently totaling $57.5 million. FEMA/FHWA obligated (encumbered) $21.5million, leaving $15.7 million for the County’s share of eligible and completed projects. (Attachments A)
The Board of Supervisors approved 71 projects at a total estimated cost of $39.9 million. FEMA/FHWA obligated $21.5 million and thus far reimbursed the County $17.8 million. The County’s share is $15.7 million and is funded with Board approved Disaster Assistance Assignment, TOT, and Road Fund Measure X revenues.
Of these projects, 55 have been completed at the cost of $25.6 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 these, nine (9) projects with a total cost of $1.5 million were ineligible for funding.
There are 15 projects that are approved by the Board and in process or pending resources, with estimated costs of $14.3 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 $10.3 million, an obligation of $3.3 million, and a County match of approximately $7.0 million. The Board approved $500,000 for 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. Once the environmental document for the project is complete, staff will return to the Board of Supervisors to present the project and seek further direction.
These BOS approved completed projects are a subset of the first category listed in the Summary and shown in Attachment A.
Projects Pending
There are 12 projects pending resources with an estimated cost of $4.1 million and FEMA obligations of $2.8 million, resulting in a County cost-share match of $1.3 million. However, these projects are not approved by the Board for action. Moreover, staff is working with FEMA on trying to acquire time extensions for some. PWFP does not have the capacity to add these projects to the Road Fund Work Plan and the scope of damages on these road segments in general are not significantly impacting the roadway. One of the projects we are seeking extensions for is Kirby Road. The other projects, PWFP intends to not pursue time extensions from FEMA and remove these potential projects from future consideration. Staff would address these damages in the course of future planned road projects. These pending projects are the second category listed in the Summary and shown in Attachment A.
Ineligible/Denied Projects
FEMA and FHWA deemed 38 projects ineligible and denied two (2), Paradise Road and Laguna Seca Recreational Area. These projects have an estimated cost of $13.2 million; the County has spent $638,104. The costs were primarily for the Laguna Seca Recreational Area ($437,488), Old Stage Road ($101,426), and Toro Park Maintenance/Emergency Response ($71,866). The remaining amount was spent on initial response efforts on eleven different projects. These ineligible/denied projects are the third 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 $5.2 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 award of $2.6 million. To date, PWFP has spent $2.9 million and received $330,885 in reimbursements. All the projects that qualified for reimbursement have been completed, with the exception of 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 the 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 $1.9 million. Of these seven (7) projects, five (5) are completed. All projects were submitted to FEMA for funding eligibility consideration and two (2) are pending a determination. 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 $6.1 million. To address the road and County park damages, PWFP staff identified a total of fourteen (14) emergency and response projects. Of these, thirteen (13) have been completed and one (1) is almost complete and undergoing project closeout procedures, 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 just over $658,175 in reimbursement from CDAA so far. Caltrans/FHWA have approved six (6) projects listed in Attachment D, but reimbursements have not yet been received from Caltrans.
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
Beginning around December 27, 2022, Monterey County experienced an extended series of “atmospheric river” winter storm events and significant sustained storms which lasted until mid-January 2023, with marginal respite in-between storm events. Moreover, the Pajaro River reached near record high water levels, causing concern for its levees and the unincorporated community of Pajaro, as well as its floodwater curtailing access to Murphy Road. 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 approximately $16.8 million in damage to County roads, bridges, parks, drainage, and related infrastructure.
Now that the extended storm event has passed, PWFP is focused on recovery by removing accumulated debris and repairing infrastructure. PWFP has identified about 109 projects or locations where repairs or debris removal were identified. Most of the debris removal and smaller projects were completed by the end of February. More significant projects (e.g. Scenic Road, Gonzales River Road Bridge, Lewis Creek Road and others) will require more time to make repairs. As damage assessments continue to be completed, the data will be populated into a matrix and reported, similar to previous emergency events. Please see Attachment E for the damage list presented to the Board of Supervisors at their February 14, 2023 Board Meeting.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
PWFP staff continues to coordinate with the Office of Emergency Services and the County Administrative Office to accurately track and categorize the projects.
FINANCING:
For the 2017 Winter Storms, the County has received $18.1 million in FEMA/FHWA/CDAA reimbursements and spent $28.0 million to date. The Board provided $13.9 million in County Match, which is estimated to cover 70 Board approved projects. Additional funds still need to be identified for the additional four (4) Palo Colorado projects approved by the Board, estimated at $10.3 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 $330,885 from FEMA and CDAA. A total of $2.9 million has been spent, and thirteen (13) 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 $99,059 from FEMA and CDAA. A total of $1.7 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 $658,175 from CDAA. A total of $3.0 million has been spent and the Road Fund is cash-flowing the repair projects expenditures until reimbursements are received.
Prepared by: Enrique Saavedra, Chief of Public Works, (831) 755-8970
Reviewed by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
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 - 2022/2023 Winter Storm Project List