TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steve Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Liang Chin Su, Associate Engineer
SUBJECT: Project Creation, Approval of Professional Services Agreement with ADKO Engineering Inc., and Budget Amendment for the Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair, RDS 26-48
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize the creation of Project 27022 for the “Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair, RDS 26-48”; Agreement No. 270225B for a contract maximum of $199,331 with ADKO Engineering Inc.; and approve a Budget Amendment. (Fiscal Impact: $229,331 Expense for the design contract and other project costs; General Fund; Reallocation of Budget; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
Following the storm event that started in November of 2025, County staff and consultants completed a comprehensive review of conditions along various County roads. Approximately 120 feet of road on Kortum Canyon Road was observed to show creep affecting fill slope at the edge of pavement, causing cracking, settlements, and damage to the downhill side.
Based on the observed cracking and measured movement, the consultant estimated that continued slope movement could reduce the usable roadway width to approximately 9 to 10 feet and create a steep drop-off at the pavement edge. The roadway repair has been identified as a high-priority project due to the potential for continued movement to render the roadway impassable with no alternative route on Kortum Canyon Road.
Through a qualifications based process, the County selected ADKO Engineering, Inc. (ADKO), as the most qualified firm for the design and other supporting specialized services needed to complete the type of repair based suited for this site. Staff recommends approval of the Professional Services Agreement for $199,331 with ADKO for their engineering services.
After reviewing subsurface conditions, it was determined the most cost-effective method to repair the roadway is to slope “trimming” the uphill side to widen the roadway and reduce potential for instability. ADKO will design the realignment to shift the roadway by 5 feet and allow for sufficient width for vehicle usage.
Staff anticipate returning to the Board of Supervisors at a later date to request approval of the plans and specifications, authorization to advertise for bids and to provide an estimated project cost for each project. The current estimated overall project cost for Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair project is $940,000. After bid opening staff will return to the Board for a recommendation to award construction contracts and make the necessary budget adjustments to move the project into the construction phase.
Included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget is $7 million in Project RDS01 for a list of six 2025 November Storm projects with not-to-exceed project amounts approved by the Board, those projects have all been funded and the total is well beneath the $7 million dollar budget. They are as follows:
Project Not to Exceed Actual Cost
Redwood Rd. 5.41 $1,000,000 $234,906
Mt. Veeder Rd. 3.25 and 4.35 $3,000,000 $2,220,799
Wall Rd. $1,000,000 $900,000
White Sulphur Springs $1,000,000 $955,000
Mt. Veeder Rd. Ditch $500,000 $500,000
Diamond Mtn. Rd. $500,000 $400,000
On October 13, 2026 the board approved project 27017 Mt. Veeder Road MPM 3.42 which received $457,753 of the unused funds for the area the 2025 November storm also significantly weakened. This leaves a balance of $1,331,542. A budget amendment is being requested to allocate $229,331 of the unused funds approved for storm projects to project 27022 - Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair for the design and other project costs. Completing the proposed work now will mitigate the risk of roadway collapse, road closure and an even more expensive emergency repair later.
Requested Actions:
1. Approve the creation of new project for “Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair, RDS 26-48” (Fund 2040, Sub-Division 2040500, Project 27022);
2. Approve and authorize Agreement No. 270225B for a contract maximum of $199,331 with ADKO Engineering Inc. for the Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair project; and
3. Approve a Budget Amendment to reallocate previously approved budget from RDS01 to capital project 27022: (4/5 vote required)
a. Increase appropriations for project 27022 - Kortum Canyon Road Slide Repair in the Roads Fund (Fund 2040, Sub-Division 2040500) in account 52145 - Engineer Services by $30,000 and 52310 - Consulting Services by $199,331 offset by the transfer in (48200) revenue from the General Fund from the reallocation of budget from project RDS01.
FISCAL 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 design is necessary to prevent further damage and ensure public safety |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Possible construction start date in FY 27-28 to avoid Northern Spotted Owl nesting season |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Slide could damage more of the roadways, which could potentially remove road access for resident and result in a major disruption of emergency response and traffic flow in the affected areas. |
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Strategic Initiative |
Build Healthy, Connected Communities |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed project action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.