TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steve Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Daniel Basore, Engineering Supervisor
SUBJECT: Project Creation and Budget Amendment for the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement”, PW 25-10
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize creation of Capital Improvement Project 25018 for the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement”, PW 25-10; and approve a budget amendment. (Fiscal Impact: $250,000 Expense; Capital Improvements Project Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
The County of Napa Communications Department currently has a 40-foot-tall telecommunications tower atop the South Peak of Mt St Helena that was built in 1970. This site is critical for the operation of public safety communication throughout the county serving local government, law enforcement, and fire agencies.
In the recent years the site has suffered significant damage to equipment attached to the tower due to ice buildup and falling ice. This also affects the safety of personnel working at the site during the winter months. The current tower is not designed nor able to support the proper ice protection. This project is a high priority as it is unlikely the tower can make it through another winter functioning properly.
The proposed project will design and construct a new 80-foot-tall self-supporting tower structure and demolish the existing tower. Construction will be phased to not disrupt tower operations. Tower design will be completed by Nacht & Lewis Architects, Inc. through an existing on-call contract.
The requested funding will fund the project through bidding. The project is expected to be constructed in the Fall of 2025.
Requested Actions:
1. Approval of a Budget Amendment for the following (4/5 vote required):
a. Increase Transfers Out appropriations by $250,000 in the Capital Improvement Projects Fund (Fund 3000, Sub-Division 3000000, Account 57900) offset by use of its available fund balance to transfer to Project 25018; and
b. Creation of a new project for the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement”, PW 25-10 (Fund 3000, Sub-Division 3000550, Project 25018) and increase Engineer Services appropriations by $250,000 (Fund 3000, Sub-Division 3000550, Project 25018, Account 52145) offset by a transfer-in revenue from CIP Fund.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The existing tower is at risk of failure and is critical for the operation of public safety communication. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Staff will return at a later date to request another budget amendment to fund construction of the project. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The tower would not be replaced jeopardizing public safety. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.