Fremont City Council Meeting: 07/18/23 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Plans, Policies and Studies
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 4957) DOC ID: 4957
Updated: 7/13/2023 9:01 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 2023 STORM REPAIR PROJECTS - Receive Report on Proposed Projects to Repair and Mitigate City Infrastructure Damage from 2023 Storm Events, and Efforts to Obtain Federal and State Emergency Relief Funding; Appropriate Funds from City’s General Fund Contingency Reserve for Project Implementation in the Amount of $3,440,000; Find Action Exempt from CEQA.
Contact Persons:
Name: Mirabel Aguilar Hans Larsen
Title: Senior Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4761 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to facilitate the repair and improvement of City infrastructure in response to damage caused by storm incidents occurring in January 2023.
BACKGROUND: In January 2023, a series of severe storms impacted large areas of California resulting in a “state of emergency” being declared and prompting support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). In Fremont, damage to public infrastructure and the estimated repair costs are summarized below. Photographs of the storm-damaged locations are provided as an attachment.
• Morrison Canyon Road and Trail - Mudslides, rockslides, and a partial collapse of the roadway have resulted in the trail and road being closed. The closure restricts recreational access to Vargas Plateau Regional Park and limits emergency access to the Vargas Road community. The estimated cost to remove the rock and mud debris, repair the road, and stabilize the embankments below and above the road is $1,000,000.
• Agua Fria Creek (Rancho Higuera Historical Park) – A large volume of sediment and debris flowed downstream into the segment of Agua Fria Creek located with in the Rancho Higuera Historical Park. As a result, sections of the creek bank ruptured from the resulting high-water flow and caused significant mudflow throughout the downstream neighborhood streets and into some private properties. The creek bank has been temporarily restored with sandbags and plastic sheeting. The estimated cost to strengthen the creek bank and mitigate against future storm damage is $820,000.
• Mill Creek Road - Mudslides covered Mill Creek Road at multiple locations causing temporary closures. The road is the sole point of access for about 25 properties. A proposed project to provide short walls along the road to contain future mudslides and minimize future road closures has an estimated cost of $800,000.
Council Staff Report (ID # 4957) Meeting of July 18, 2023 Updated: 7/13/2023 9:01 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 • Stanley Bridge (Old Canyon Road) at Alameda Creek - The bridge abutment protection along the west side of the creek eroded, leaving the bridge foundation exposed and subject to future damage. The estimated cost to repair and mitigate against damage from future storms is $600,000.
• Sullivan Underpass - Mud, rock and tree debris have damaged the stormwater pump at the bottom of the underpass and caused reoccurring flooding and closure of the underpass. The underpass serves as a primary emergency access route to part of the Niles community from Fire Station No. 2. The estimated cost to repair the pump and mitigate against future pump damage is $220,000.
It is noted that the adobe house at Rancho Higuera Historical Park was also damaged during the January 2023 storm events and is being repaired at an estimated cost is $20,000. It does not require a special Council funding action due to the lower cost.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The total estimated cost to repair and improve the City’s infrastructure that was damaged by recent storms and which is vulnerable to future storm impacts, is estimated to be $3,440,000. Staff is coordinating with FEMA and CalOES to facilitate the use of emergency management grants to fund the repair and improvement costs. These grants could fund approximately 90% of the project costs. However, additional engineering analysis and coordination is needed to determine the actual Federal and State contributions the City will receive.
At this time, staff recommends that the City Council appropriate funds for the various projects so that design and construction can be completed in a timely manner to repair current damage and protect the affected communities against increased storm risks from the upcoming winter season. The source of funding would be from the City’s General Fund Contingency Reserve. On-going efforts are being made to secure Federal and State funds for these projects to partially restore the City’s Contingency Reserve.
FISCAL IMPACT: The recommended actions would appropriate $3,440,000 from the City’s General Fund Contingency Reserve for five Storm Damage Repair and Mitigation Projects.
The City’s Contingency Reserve would be reduced from $46,435,000 to $42,995,000. Any federal or State reimbursements received will be recognized in the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The approval of funding actions is “not a project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Separate environmental clearance documentation and actions will be completed for individual projects prior to construction.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Photos of Fremont Storm Damage Locations
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the following actions to facilitate the 2023 Storm Damage Repair and Mitigation projects as follows:
1. Find that the recommended funding actions are exempt from CEQA.
2. Transfer $3,440,000 from the General Fund Contingency Reserve to the Capital Improvements Fund (Fund 501).
3. Appropriate $1,000,000 to the Morrison Canyon Trail/Road Storm Repair and Mitigation Project (PWC9105-501).
Council Staff Report (ID # 4957) Meeting of July 18, 2023 Updated: 7/13/2023 9:01 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3
4. Appropriate $820,000 to the Agua Fria Creek Storm Repair and Mitigation Project (PWC9103-501).
5. Appropriate $800,000 to the Mill Creek Road Storm Mitigation Project (PWC9104-501).
6. Appropriate $600,000 to the Stanley Bridge Storm Repair and Mitigation Project (PWC9102-501).
7. Appropriate $220,000 to the Sullivan Underpass Storm Mitigation Project (PWC9106 501).