DATE: October 9, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Development Services Department
TITLE: RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PREPARED FOR THE DOUGLAS BRIDGE SEISMIC RETROFIT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
title
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the proposed Douglas Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project.
body
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Douglas Bridge over the San Luis Rey River was constructed in 1965. In accordance with a federally mandated Bridge Inspection Program managed by Caltrans, a biannual report was conducted by the Caltrans Division of Structures Maintenance and Investigation. The report listed bridge deficiencies at several locations, including Oceanside’s Douglas Bridge.
On January 4, 2017, the City Council approved federal-aid funds through City Council Resolution No. 12-R0619-1 for the necessary engineering services and future construction of the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project and a Professional Services Agreement with TY LIN International in the amount not to exceed $4,222,250 for design of the proposed Douglas Bridge Seismic Retrofit project.
On June 22, 2023, Caltrans approved the proposed Seismic Retrofit project in its entirety. The proposed project includes:
• Extending the existing partial scour walls to the underside of the bridge;
• Installing bridge appurtenances to control movement of the bridge during a seismic event;
• Constructing concrete flumes to provide a fish passage per the environmental resource agencies’ request; and,
• Constructing a wildlife crossing to allow terrestrial species to pass under the bridge without having to traverse the riprap during high water flow conditions.
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Article 6, Sections 15070 to 15075, an MND was prepared stating that, if the mitigation measures identified in the MMRP are implemented, the proposed project will not result in significant adverse impacts to the environment.
The Draft MND was circulated for a 30-day public review period beginning on July 1, 2024, and ending on July 31, 2024. No comments were received. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the MND and MMRP as included in the Final MND (FMND).
Staff is requesting adoption of the MND so it may be used as supporting documentation for obtaining project construction approvals from state regulatory agencies. Once approvals are received from the state regulatory agencies, the proposed project will be considered “shovel ready” which will allow staff to request construction funding from Caltrans and advertise the project for construction. Staff is expected to return to the City Council to request approval to award a Public Works Agreement to the selected construction contractor in Fall 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the MND.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Does not apply.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
end
Prepared by: Kymberly Corbin, Associate Engineer
Reviewed by: Darlene Nicandro, Development Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Final MND
3. City Council Resolution (MND Certification)