non-motorized east-west thoroughfare that would expand commuting and recreational opportunities. Once this trail and adjacent paths are completed, there will be one continuous non-motorized trail from Downtown Concord to Oakley.  
  
Construction of the trail could be incorporated into, and performed in conjunction with restoration activities along Marsh Creek as called for in the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP). The intent is that the trail would be constructed in a sensitive manner that reflects the scenic and natural resources of the area.  
  
On April 12, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2016/326, supporting exploration of the concept of the Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail and efforts to identify and secure funding for this project. Other project stakeholders have adopted or are in the process of adopting a resolution in support or a letter of support for this project.  
  
The District III and IV Supervisors and their staff, along with staff from the Public Works and Conservation and Development Departments, have been holding meetings with the following interested organizations:  
  
· City of Clayton  
· City of Brentwood  
· East Bay Regional Park District  
· Save Mount Diablo  
· Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed  
  
The meetings have focused on identifying existing conditions, challenges, and opportunities along the Marsh Creek Corridor, developing a scope-of-work for a potential feasibility study, and identifying potential funding sources for the feasibility study.  
  
The next step in the exploration of the Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail is to develop a feasibility report. The County is proposed to be the lead agency to contract with a consultant to prepare a feasibility study. The feasibility analysis would include the following key steps:  
  
· Further defining goals and objectives  
· Data Collection and Base Mapping  
· Public Outreach and Involvement  
· Transportation Analysis  
· Define Alternatives  
· Alternatives Analysis  
· Prepare Draft and Final Feasibility Report  
  
The preliminary estimated cost for the feasibility study is $500,000. The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, a joint exercise of powers authority formed by the County and the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley and Pittsburg, has agreed to contribute $25,000 toward completing the study. The Public Works Department has agreed to contribute an additional $25,000. The recommendation is to approve the expenditure of up to $250,000 from the Livable Communities Trust Fund (District III portion) as a primary funding source. An additional $250,000 still needs to be identified to close the estimated $200,000 funding gap and provide a small contingency. Staff will work with the other project stakeholders to identify other potential funding sources for the feasibility study, including additional contributions from other partner agencies, grants and additional contributions from the Livable Communities Trust.  
  
The Livable Communities Trust Fund (Fund) was established to implement the County’s Smart Growth Action Plan. One goal of the Action Plan is to help fund transit and other transportation improvements that foster smart growth principles. In reviewing the purpose of the Fund, the Board of Supervisors determined on December 3, 2013 that "the goal shall be to spend the money equally among supervisorial districts." At build-out of the development projects contributing revenue to the Fund, deposits to the Fund will total $8,448,000. The interest-bearing trust account has earned over $300,000 in interest to date. So far, one expenditure has been made from the Fund (a $250,000 expenditure approved on October 22, 2013 for the Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative) and another expenditure has been authorized (on June 14, 2016, with $1,432,830 from the District I portion providing matching funds for the development of the Heritage Point affordable housing project in North Richmond). The Livable Communities Trust Fund balance is $7,471,514.41 (as of December 8, 2016). The expenditure proposed here is consistent with the purpose of the Fund and with adopted Board policy.

If the funding is not allocated to the Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail for feasibility studies, planning and project development activities will be delayed and a non-motorized facility gap along the Marsh Creek Corridor will continue to exist.