HomeMy WebLinkAboutI-10 and Cook St Interchange Project 658, 660-94 INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
CITY OF PALM DESERT
TO: City Council and City Manager
FROM: Richard J. Folkers , Assistant City Manager-Public Works
Director
SUBJECT: Informational Item; I-10 & Cook Street Interchange Project
Project No. 658/660-94
DATE: 28 April 1994
The Project Report was signed off by CalTrans on 21 December 1993 . The
Public Hearing was held in conjunction with the City Council Meeting on
27 January 1994 . The Environmental Document has been approved and
signed by CalTrans, and is with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
for approval signature, pending results of the US Fish & Wildlife
Service (USFWL) , Section 7 Consultation and Conference.
1 . ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT APPROVAL SCHEDULE DELAY
On 16 Feb 1994 a meeting was held with USFWL, CVAG, and the other
members of the Project Development Team, including CalTrans
District 11, San Diego. At this meeting a compromise was presented
and tentatively accepted by USFWL. But, in accordance with the
Endangered Species Act, the FHWA technically was still required to
officially hold the Consultation. At the meeting, CT District 11
was authorized by Palm Desert, as Lead Agent, to request FHWA to
officially call for the Consultation. The official letter request-
ing this Consultation was sent by FHWA on 18 March 1994 . Word was
received by the City' s consultant, Moffatt & Nichol Engineers, that
the working level off USFWL was requesting "additional data" , but,
" . . . wanted the request to go through the proper channels to avoid
confusing the consultant" . No confirmation can be obtained through
CalTrans that the FHWA has a written request from USFWL for addit-
ional data in their hands . This problem has cost the project two
months on the critical path so far.
The law requires USFWL to request data and prepare their report
within 90 days from this official start date. Then there are
provisions for an additional 35 days for resolution. The first 90
day clock did not start until 18 March. In the February meeting it
was emphasized that, with the "agreed" compromise, the local
agencies would expect that the total Consultation should not take
more than about one month. This remains to be seen.
The design, which is no longer on the Critical Path, is continuing
and is in the 70% completion review stage. The critical path is :
o Environmental Approval
o ROW Purchase, (Can' t begin prior to ED Approval )
o Utility Relocations, (Can ' t begin prior to ROW purchase)
o Construction, (Can' t Bid prior to utility relocations)
City of Palm Desert
I-10 & Cook Street Interchange Project
Status Report
2 . LOCAL SHARE FUNDING
The City has this project approved in Cycle 5 of the SB-300 State
& Local Partnership Program, earning the additional 25% of project
reimbursement guarantee from CVAG. The revised CVAG reimbursement
agreement for 100% front end financing was approved by both CVAG,
and City Council on 14 April 1994 . Reimbursements are being made
from CVAG on the design effort. With the revised agreement, the
City can change to a CVAG draw down financing account, in lieu of
reimbursements .
For the final 25% local share, a proposed Riverside County Road &
Bridges District is still in development . County representatives
have been holding meetings with the affected local governments on
a one on one basis . As a result of the proposed Roads & Bridges
District approach for funding of the Local Agency' s 25% share, no
further work is currently in progress for the formation of AD-91-1 .
This 25% is to be shared between the City and Riverside County. A
draft of the proposed cost sharing agreement was sent to Riverside
County in the spring of 1992 . No action on the County' s part has
been received. At this time no schedule is available yet from
Riverside County for the Roads & Bridges District formation. The
staff is looking into the possibility of the City forming its own
District for the City only, as CVAG will advance the funding if we
have a payback program for our portion.
3 . COOK STREET EXTENSION
The extension of Cook Street from Frank Sinatra north is in design
with first submittal of drawings and specifications in house for
Design Review. Discussions are underway with the property owner on
the west side of Cook above Frank Sinatra concerning the ROW
requirements of their project. Construction scheduled to begin
prior to 30 June 1994 .
Richar. J. Folk , s, P.E.
RJF:GAS/ds CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
APPROVED DENIED
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ABSTAIN:
VERIFIED BY:
Original on File with City Clerk' s Office