TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer - Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Graham S. Wadsworth, P.E., Engineering Supervisor
SUBJECT: Approvals related to a Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the Napa Valley Vine Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Public Works requests adoption of a Resolution approving and authorizing the Chair to execute a maintenance agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation for the portion of the Napa Valley Vine Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga (RDS 21-26).
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 20, 2020, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) and Caltrans executed a Cooperative Agreement to design and construct the Napa Valley Vine Trail (NVVT) between St. Helena and Calistoga. The construction contractor will construct portions of the NVVT in the Caltrans right-of-way and Caltrans requires an agreement for the County of Napa to maintain the bicycle and pedestrian multi-use path.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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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: |
Consistent with Strategic Action 2(B) of the Napa County Strategic Plan, approval of the form agreement will support the NVVT and better protect the safety of future trail users. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The County will be obligated to operate and maintain a future trail, at an additional cost estimated to be $12,000/mile/year for which the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition (NVVTC) has committed to paying half. The Board has already committed $693,000 towards construction of the Calistoga to St. Helena segment. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Vegetation would block the NVVT, the pavement would deteriorate and the pedestrian beacons would not operate. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
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Additional Information |
The County, City of Napa and NVVTC executed an agreement for the City to maintain the NVVT Oak Knoll Segment between the City of Napa and Town of Yountville. It is anticipated that the County and NVVTC will execute a similar agreement for the St. Helena to Calistoga Segment. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: On August 19, 2020, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA), as lead agency for the project, approved a Final Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH 2020060572) and adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Napa Valley Vine Trail Project: St. Helena to Calistoga Section, by Resolution 20-17. These environmental documents are available at this link: nvta.ca.gov/vinetrail. On December 15, 2020, the Board met its obligation as a Responsible Agency under CEQA by considering the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, reached its own conclusions on whether and how to approve the project, and determined that none of the triggers for subsequent or supplemental CEQA review occurred since NVTA's approval of the project and CEQA documents.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Napa Valley Vine Trail (NVVT) is a proposed 47-mile multi-use trail from the City of Calistoga to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. Several segments of the NVVT are complete, including the 12-mile long “Oak Knoll Segment” connecting the Town of Yountville and the City of Napa. Many sections of the trail have been completed in the cities of Calistoga, Napa, American Canyon, Vallejo and the Town of Yountville.
On October 20, 2020, the NVTA and Caltrans executed a Cooperative Agreement to design and construct the NVVT between St. Helena and Calistoga. The contractor will construct portions of the NVVT in the Caltrans right-of-way and Caltrans requires an agreement for the County of Napa to maintain the bicycle and pedestrian multi-use path. Caltrans also requires adoption of a resolution approving and authorizing the Chair to execute the maintenance agreement with Caltrans. The agreement states that the County will perform the following maintain functions:
1. Trail pavement repair and replacement
2. Litter and Graffiti removal
3. Vegetation control
4. Sign and striping maintenance
5. Rest stop shelter, retaining wall and barrier maintenance
6. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon System operation, maintenance, repair and replacement
On January 5, 2021, the Board approved a Maintenance and Funding Agreement with the City of Napa and the NVVTC for an annual maximum County contribution not to exceed $21,080 per fiscal year, with annual CPI adjustments, for the term February 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 with automatic renewal at the end of each fiscal year, for city forces to maintain the NVVT section between Yountville and Napa. The agreement requires that the County and the NVVTC contribute $42,160 per year; with a 50% contribution of $21,080 from the County and $21,080 from the Vine Trail Coalition. County, NVVTC and Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District (NCRPOSD) staff are discussing a similar agreement for NCRPOSD forces to maintain the NVVT section between St. Helena and Calistoga.
NVTA completed the design, obtained permits and acquired easements for the segment of the NVVT from Calistoga to St. Helena. NVTA plans to begin construction in 2022 and complete the project in 2023. Portions of this segment cross the Caltrans Right-of-way for Highway 29 as shown in Exhibit A of the Agreement.
Attachments
1. Project Specific Maintenance Agreement
2. Resolution.