April 15, 2025
Public Works
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works
Mike Owyang, Assistant Engineer
Subject:
Approval of funding allocation for Point Molate Beach
Stabilization Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $2 million appropriation from General Capital Fund, combined with $500,000 already allocated, will fund the Point Molate Beach Stabilization Project.
This appropriation will allow the project to proceed to final design and bidding, ensuring shoreline stabilization and preventing a gap in the Bay Trail.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Point Molate Beach Stabilization Project is
necessary to prevent shoreline erosion and ensure the
continuous completion of the Bay Trail through Point
Molate Beach Park. Without this project, the trail may be left incomplete, limiting public access and recreation
opportunities. Staff recommends that the City Council
adopt a resolution to appropriate $2 million from General Capital Funds, which, combined with $500,000 already
allocated, will fully fund the project. If approved, staff will proceed with finalizing permits, completing design, and preparing the project for competitive bidding to ensure construction moves forward without delay.
AGENDA
REPORT
April 15, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the appropriation of
$2,000,000 from the General Capital Fund to fully fund
the Point Molate Beach Stabilization Project ensuring the completion of shoreline stabilization and preventing a gap in the Bay Trail through Point Molate Beach Park; and
DIRECT staff to finalize permits, complete design, and
prepare the project for competitive bidding – Public
Works Department (Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Mike
Owyang 510-621-1363).
DISCUSSION:
The Point Molate Beach Stabilization Project is a critical improvement necessary to prevent continued shoreline erosion at Point Molate Beach Park and ensure the successful completion of the Bay Trail through this area. Without this project, there may be a gap in the trail, preventing continuous public access along the shoreline. The project is designed to stabilize a 300-foot section of bluff, replace a failed 12-inch storm drain outfall pipe with a new 24-inch reinforced concrete culvert, and construct the foundation for an 80-foot segment of the Bay Trail at the top of the revetment. However, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) may only permit stabilization of a 150-foot section of bluff, which could limit the project’s effectiveness in addressing the full extent of erosion. City staff continues to work with the Water Board to clarify permit conditions and explore potential mitigation measures.
The project is currently at 90 percent design, with permit applications submitted to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). However, permit issuance has been delayed due to the Water Board’s requirement for additional mitigation related to erosion at the site.
The project was originally anticipated to be funded by a $1 million grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways Shoreline Erosion Control Program, matched with $500,000 in City impact fees. However, it was confirmed last year that the City was not awarded the $1 million grant, creating a funding shortfall. Based on current cost estimates, the total project cost is now estimated at $2.5 million, which is an increase from the prior estimate of $1.5 million. This increase is due to updated design plans, construction cost estimates and additional mitigation requirements imposed by the Water Board, which were not fully accounted for in the initial budget. These mitigation costs, along with ever-shifting design conditions, inflationary impacts on construction materials and labor, have contributed to the higher funding need.
April 15, 2025
The Point Molate Ad-Hoc Committee, comprised of Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, and Councilmember Doria Robinson, reviewed and recommended that the Beach Stabilization Project proceed for the funding request.
Funding was previously anticipated to come from Park Impact Fees; however, City staff was directed to identify an alternative source. The General Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Fund was identified, in collaboration with the Finance Department, as the most appropriate funding source. This allocation does not jeopardize the delivery of other projects, nor does it defund any existing project.
City staff are recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution to appropriate $2 million from the General Capital Fund, which will fully close the funding gap and allow the project to proceed (Attachment 1). In addition, City staff will continue to seek additional grant opportunities to help offset the cost and provide reimbursements to the project funds. This will ensure that the project remains on track and will prevent delays in Bay Trail construction. Without this funding, the project will remain stalled, putting public access at risk and leaving the Bay Trail incomplete through Point Molate Beach Park.
If the resolution is adopted, City will be able to uphold its commitment to completing its portion of the Bay Trail, maintain alignment with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) under the existing MOU, and avoid jeopardizing current grant opportunities.
EBRPD has expressed concern about the City’s continued participation, and although this is a standalone City project, failure to move this project forward could lead to strained relationships with the EBRPD as well as leave a critical gap in the trail and compromise regional connectivity.
City staff will continue working with the Water Board to finalize mitigation requirements, coordinate with EBRPD to align construction schedules and advance the project to bid- ready status. City staff recommends this funding transfer so that the project can be bid out quickly following the completion of design, ensuring that construction can proceed without further delays.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution