Agenda

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C. 86

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	January 11, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Approve Agreement with The Watershed Project for the North Richmond Watershed Connections Project. Project No. 7517-6W7257

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/11/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Michele Mancuso, (925) 313-2236
cc:	Tim Jensen, Flood Control Michele Mancuso, County Watershed Program Catherine Windham, Flood Control

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 11, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a reimbursement agreement between Contra Costa County (County) and The Watershed Project (TWP) to provide up to $150,000 to TWP from a State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) grant for the implementation of wayfinding elements and establishment of an “Adopt a Tree” Program as part of the North Richmond Watershed Connections Project (Project), for the period January 11, 2022 to December 31, 2042.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The SCC grant funding is $884,000 for the Project, including $150,000 to complete Component 3 of the Project consisting of the installation of wayfinding elements and “Adopt a Tree” Program, in collaboration with TWP. The SCC grant is also providing $78,000 to the County for Project administration.

BACKGROUND:

On October 8, 2019, the Board authorized the Public Works Director to accept and execute a grant between the SCC and Public Works for $884,000 for the Project. The County is working in collaboration with TWP and Urban Tilth to plan, design, and construct the Project.

The Project is a multi-benefit project in North Richmond with three components. Component 1 includes the planting of trees in addition to the installation of sidewalks and bike lanes along Fred Jackson Way between Grove Avenue and Brookside Drive as part of the County Public Works’ First Mile/Last Mile project.

Component 2 is the construction of sidewalks, a bike lane, and stormwater infrastructure including a linear rain garden with some street trees. Component 2 is being completed by Urban Tilth under a separate agreement.

Component 3 of the Project is an urban greening component consisting of an “Adopt a Tree” Program and the installation of wayfinding elements in the neighborhood between the North Richmond Baseball Field and Chesley Avenue and between Fred Jackson Way and 7th Street. Component 3 is being completed by TWP, which is responsible for designing and constructing the wayfinding elements along Wildcat Creek and within the County road right-of-way and for establishing and implementing the “Adopt a Tree” Program. Per the grant requirements, the Project is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2022.

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study was prepared on September 18, 2018, for Component 3 of the Project, concluding that the Project was covered by a Categorical Exemption and would not have a significant effect on the environment. A Notice of Exemption was subsequently posted as required by law.

The proposed Agreement includes insurance and indemnification to protect the County against potential liabilities occurring during construction of the Project, which will be performed by a contractor hired by TWP. Under the proposed Agreement, the County is passing through to TWP $150,000 in grant funding provided by SCC for the installation by TWP of wayfinding elements and the implementation of an “Adopt a Tree” Program, and the County is using $78,000 in SCC grant funding for County administration and management of the Project.

The Agreement is needed to authorize TWP to construct and implement Component 3 of the Project and to invoice the County for the work completed under the SCC grant. Per the terms of the SCC grant, the Agreement is subject to SCC’s approval and will be finalized when that approval is received.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the Agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to complete the Project work and the state funding provided by SCC may be lost.