To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Utility Easement for Seismic Retrofit of Wohler Road Bridge
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution and authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute the proposed Right of Way contract for purchase of a permanent easement associated with the seismic retrofit of the Wohler Road Bridge on behalf of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, in the amount of $89,300. (Fifth District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Public Infrastructure (PI) is requesting the Board of Supervisors authorize and direct the Department Director to execute the proposed Right of Way contract for the acquisition of a permanent utility easement required for the seismic retrofit of Wohler Road Bridge over Russian River project. If approved, the easement will allow Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to relocate overhead utility lines away from the bridge so that they do not conflict with the project design or construction needs.
Discussion:
The Department of Public Infrastructure is in the final stages of the design and engineering phase of the Wohler Road Bridge over Russian River project (C01136). The proposed project includes seismic upgrades, retrofitting of existing piers, abutments, expansion joints, existing truss members, replacing existing deck with composite deck and replacing existing bearings w/base isolation bearings to isolate seismic loads and displacements. Associated work will include creating an access road to the creek channel bottom, vegetation removal and re-vegetation. The bridge is a one-lane structure located approximately 1.5 miles north of River Road.
Project construction requires that an existing PG&E power line be relocated a further distance away from the bridge. Based on the project design, construction demands, and the most feasible relocation design, the power line needs to be relocated permanently onto land owned by Kathryn L. Hickey, Trustee of The Hickey Family Trust Survivor’s Trust (dated March 13, 1986). A permanent utility easement for the relocated line, consisting of 11,482+/- sq. ft. of land, is proposed on Sonoma County Assessors parcel No. 110-140-009 located at, 9606 Westside Road, Forestville, CA 95436.
An offer of just compensation to purchase the easement was presented to the owner of record on June 4, 2021. The Owner disagreed with the County’s appraised land value and compensation for the easement in the amount of $18,800. The Owner agreed to sign a Possession and Use Agreement pending resolution of the right of way negotiations. This document allowed the County to proceed with relocation of the existing overhead utility lines by Pacific Gas and Electric within the 2022 construction season. A Right of Way Certification 2 for the project was approved by Caltrans on November 29, 2022.
Through subsequent negotiations, Owner has contended the County’s initial appraisal did not address and value a potential buildable homesite area of 1.06 acres on the 7.3 acre parcel. Owner contends the 1.06 acres are above the FEMA base flood plain elevation and submitted a second appraisal to support a counter offer in the amount of $70,500 above the initial offer. The Owner’s appraisal was reviewed by a qualified third-party independent appraiser and was determined to be a credible appraisal report.
An administrative settlement was reached after lengthy negotiations with the property owner. The settlement is considered reasonable, prudent, and in the best interest of the public consistent with applicable right of way acquisition requirements, including under 49 CFR 24.102 Caltrans Right of Way Manual Section 8.01.29.00, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Federal Aid Highway Manual.
The seismic retrofit bridge project is scheduled to begin construction in 2024 and Public Infrastructure is requesting Board approval of the Right of Way contract for acquisition of the permanent easement so that the project can proceed to construction.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 4: Identify and retrofit bridges in County that are at high risk for damage during earthquakes.
Prior Board Actions:
12/7/2021: Board approved Third Amendment to the agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. (formerly Drake Haglan and Associates, Inc).
12/15/2020: Adopt Addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration for Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River Seismic Retrofit Project
7/10/2018: Board approved Second Amendment to the agreement with Drake Haglan and Associates, Inc.
5/24/2016: Board approved First Amendment to the agreement with Drake Haglan and Associates, Inc.
11/24/2014: Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration for Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River Seismic Retrofit Project
9/24/2013: Board approved agreement with Drake Haglan and Associates, Inc. for engineering design work.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$89,300 |
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|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
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|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$89,300 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$89,300 |
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
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Total Sources |
$89,300 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations the acquisition of the utility easement are included in the FY 2022-23 Roads Capital (11051-34010103) adopted budget and project costs are 100% reimbursable through a grant from the Federal Highway Administration.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution, Vicinity Map, Right of Way Plat Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Right of Way Contract, Utility Easement Deed