City Council
MEETING DATE: 3/23/2016
TITLE:
Title
Approve the Right of Way Phase of the Cathedral Canyon Bridge and the Date Palm Bridge Projects
End
FROM:
John A. Corella, P.E. - City Engineer
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Right of Way phase of the Cathedral Canyon Bridge Project (CIP No. 8919), and the Date Palm Bridge Project (CIP No. 8914) and accept the easements and other conveyances necessary to construct each bridge project; and authorize the City Manager to execute the easement and utility agreements and all ancillary documents necessary for each bridge project; and authorize the payments for the easements and other costs associated with the Right of Way portion for each bridge project.
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BACKGROUND:
Caltrans requires Right of Way (R/W) Certification for any project for which Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) are submitted to the district/region or Headquarters. R/W Certification is a written statement summarizing the status of all right of way related matters pertaining to a proposed construction project. The purpose of the R/W Certification is to confirm that the project to be constructed is ready for advertising and affirms the following:
• Real property interests have been, or are being, secured; and
• Physical obstructions including utilities and railroads have been or will be removed, relocated, or protected as required for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project; and
• Right of way acquisition and relocation assistance program requirements have been conducted in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and procedures.
DISCUSSION:
For the Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge Project and the Date Palm Drive Bridge Project ("Projects," collectively) compliance with Caltrans R/W standards and requirements include the acquisition of permanent easements and temporary construction easements. The City is obligated to compensate the property owner for these acquisitions based on appraisals conducted by appraisers approved by Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These appraisals have been completed and the amount of monetary compensation has been accepted by the property owners.
Additionally, utilities including Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Southern California Edison, Desert Water Agency and Coachella Valley Water District have been contacted regarding the need to relocate their facilities to accommodate the Projects. Individual utility agreements have been negotiated with each of the affected utilities. Relocation costs for Desert Water Agency at the Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge Project and for Southern California Edison at the Date Palm Drive Bridge will be paid for by each of the Projects, respectively, due to each respective utility having prior rights within the City R/W. These costs are grant eligible Project costs.
To complete the R/W Certification process for the Projects, City Engineering Staff requests that the City Council accept the easements and other conveyances necessary to construct the above Projects; and authorize the City Manager to execute the easement and utility agreements and all ancillary documents necessary for the Projects; and authorize the payments for the easements and other costs associated with the Right of Way portion for the Projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Right of Way costs are FHWA grant eligible and Caltrans will compensate the City at the rate of 88.53% of eligible costs. The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) grants will cover 75% of the remaining 11.47%. The Right of Way costs have been budgeted in the current five-year Capital Improvement Program and no additional funds will be required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cathedral Canyon Drive Bridge Project Right of Way Summary Report
2. Date Palm Drive Bridge Project Right of Way Summary Report