RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY - B. YOUNG

 Adopt Resolution delegating authority to the RMA Director to enter Into emergency repair and replacement contracts to remediate a local emergency, pursuant to Public Contracts Code Section 22050, without adoption of plans and specifications or competitive bidding; finding that there is a need to continue emergency action; and finding emergency repair and replacement work exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(d), as emergency projects within the rights of way of existing County and State highways damaged by flooding and storm events. (4/5 vote required)

SBC FILE NUMBER: 75.5

RESOLUTION NO: 2021-23

At  approximately 5:00 P.M. on February 4, 2021, while the Board of Supervisors was not in session, the San Benito County Administrative Officer, in response to major flooding and storm damages in the South portion of San Benito County, along with rain damage/flooding throughout San Benito County, proclaimed a local emergency effective immediately. On February 9, by Resolution No. 2021-10, the Board of Supervisors ratified the Proclamation issued on February 4, 2021.

Due to the winter storm of January 26-28, 2021 County Roads sustained  substantial damages and are in need of immediate repairs, including such work as: Pavement repairs; Bridge repairs; Shoulder and culverts clearing/replacement; Slides and debris removal; New bridges/culverts; Roadway section stabilization; etc. As a result of heavy rainfall throughout San Benito County and the financial impact this event has had on the residents of the County and the County itself, the Board of Supervisors also requested the Governor to Proclaim a State of Emergency for San Benito County. This resolution relates to the letting of emergency contracts under Public Contracts Code 22050 and must be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors at every regular meeting until the need for emergency action terminates.

Preliminary Summary of Road Damages

Public Works crews responded to numerous issues related to the 451-mile County Maintained Road System over the course of the storm, beginning the evening of Tuesday, January 26, including:

·         Downed Trees

·         Debris and sediment on travel ways

·         Flooding

·         Slip outs/landslides/rockslides

·         Surface damages/failures (pavement deterioration, potholes, cracking)

·         Washouts

It is estimated that approximately $25 million in repair costs are needed because of damages sustained during the event. Many County roads were affected; however, ten major (Arterial and Collector) roads were severely impacted. Most of those were in ‘South County’ (south of Hollister) - where the largest rainfall amounts were experienced. Damage Assessments are continuing. The following roads (in alphabetical order) were the most severely affected:

·         Cienega Rd. – from Mudstone Ranch to Bird Creek (near the entrance to the Hollister State ORV Park)

·         Coalinga Rd. - from State Route 25 to Fresno County

·         Fairview Rd. - near and north of the Hollister City Limits (shoulder flooding)

·         King City Rd. - from State Route 25 to Monterey County

·         New Idria Rd. – from Panoche Valley to 20+ miles south (complete washout)

·         Panoche Rd. – from Paicines to Fresno County

·         Salinas Grade Rd. – from San Juan Bautista to Monterey County

·         Southside Rd. – from the Hollister City Limits to Tres Pinos Creek

·         State Route 25 – south of Pinnacles National Park (CalTrans)

·         Union Rd. - near Riverside Dr. (shoulder flooding)

Characterization of Repairs Needed

The needed repairs range from relatively straightforward pavement rehabilitation/overlays to complete reconstruction. Preliminary estimated costs by road reaches are as follows:

·         Cienega Rd. – $2.5 million

·         Coalinga Rd. - $3 million

·         Fairview Rd. Shoulder - $250 thousand

·         King City Rd. – $2.0 million

·         New Idria Rd. - $ 3.5 million

·         Panoche Rd. – $4.5 million

·         Salinas Grade Rd. – $2 million

·         Southside Rd. - $2 million

·         State Route 25 – Unknown (CalTrans)

·         Union Rd. Shoulder - $250 thousand

Sub-total: $20 million – plus 25% for design and construction management

TOTAL: Approximately $25 million

The first anticipated project will be a Countywide paving/road repairs project that staff will bring to the Board on March 23, 2021.

Staff respectfully recommends that the Board:

Adopt Resolution delegating authority to the RMA Director to enter Into emergency repair and replacement contracts to remediate a local emergency, pursuant to Public Contracts Code Section 22050, without adoption of plans and specifications or competitive bidding; finding that there is a need to continue emergency action; and finding emergency repair and replacement work exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(d), as emergency projects within the rights of way of existing County and State highways damaged by flooding and storm events. (4/5 vote required.)