* Other includes all segments less than 1% of the total. Negative segments are not shown.
PUBLIC WORKS
In 2019-21, Public Works will focus on resolving
multiple operational and financial challenges
across all divisions.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
Fleet Replacement: Public Works is responsible
for the maintenance, repair and replacement of a
motorized fleet comprised of nearly 200 vehicles
and heavy equipment that is used to maintain
critical public infrastructure. The fleet is
challenged with aging and obsolete equipment
that in many cases is reaching the end of its useful
life. In fiscal years 2019-21, the department will
implement a surplus, repair and replacement plan
to meet the existing and future challenges, will
actively pursue new vehicle and equipment
purchases, and surplus old and obsolete items.
Corporation Yards: Public Works operates and
maintains three Corporation Yards (Live Oak,
Felton and Watsonville) that provide facilities for
Road and Fleet Maintenance, Construction
Management, Flood Control, and fueling stations.
The yards are equipped with aging infrastructure
that need on-going repairs for efficient and safe
facility function. Over the next two years, Public
Works will prioritize safety and efficiency
upgrades at its Corporation Yards while the county
-wide facility master planning effort is taking place.
Public Works anticipates the facilities master plan
currently being developed by the County
Administrative Office will provide a road map for
future Corporation Yard upgrades.
TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
Winter Storms Update: Since the 2016-17 Winter
Storms, Public Works has expended $42.7 million in
repairs. The expected reimbursement from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
and the California Office of Emergency Services
(Cal-OES) is $30 million. Additional funding for
storm damage repairs include $1 million from the
General fund and $6 million from new gas tax, SB 1.
Due to the strong environmental protections in our
State, many projects undergo environmental review
and permitting before repairs can commence.
When project delays occur, Public Works requests
a time extension to complete projects. FEMA has a
three-year time limit to complete repairs on
projects and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) has a two-year limit to complete projects.
In previous disaster declarations, these time
extensions were granted routinely.
The FHWA has denied time extensions for March
2016 storm damage projects, which puts $2 million
worth of repairs at risk. An additional $35 million in
repair projects is potentially at risk when FHWA
time extensions are requested later in 2019.
The Road Fund begins 2019-20 with a $6.1 million
budget gap from storm damage repair projects that
have been completed, but have not received
reimbursement, or been denied reimbursement or
costs deemed ineligible. The fund balance on June
30, 2021 is projected to be negative in the amount of
$5.5 million.
The department is actively working with local, State
and federal officials on solving these funding issues.
Potential solutions include exploring bond
financing options, and pursuing legislative changes
to the time allowed to complete repairs. Public
Works is developing a multi-year financial recovery
plan to eliminate the negative fund balance.
Active Transportation Infrastructure: Public
Works will continue to seek grant funds to inventory
existing facilities and plan for future active
transportation facilities such as enhanced bike lanes
and pedestrian improvements. The department will
work with the Santa Cruz County Regional
Transportation Commission and other partners to
design and permit sections of the Monterey Bay
Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) within the
unincorporated areas of the County. In addition, the
department will create a pedestrian crosswalk
policy and identify facilities that need pedestrian
safety upgrades such as pedestrian activated rapid
flashing beacon systems at existing crosswalks on
County maintained roads.
Congested Corridors Management: Over the next
fiscal year, DPW will be involved in several
Congestion Management and Transportation
Planning solutions on the County maintained road
system to improve the traffic flow and enhance
critical transportation corridors. The scope of this
effort includes, but is not limited to, signalized
intersection improvements, corridor signal
synchronization and adaptation, operational
improvements and congested corridor planning. In
addition, DPW will work closely with the Planning
Department on the Circulation Element update to
the General Plan.
SPECIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Recycling and Solid Waste: The Buena Vista
Landfill and Ben Lomond Transfer Station have
multiple challenges related to recycling, planning
for future landfill needs, and costs related to
implementing new organics laws. The department
is exploring establishing a Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) for both the landfill and transfer
station which will create an ongoing financing
structure to finance deferred maintenance on
facilities and equipment.
Drainage: Flood Control Zones 5 and 6 have
revenue challenges and an inability to pay for
liability costs related to lawsuits from the 2006
Winter Storms. There is a lack of funding to
upgrade aging infrastructure and meet state and
federal mandates.
Public Works is exploring funding opportunities for
a Zone 5 Master Plan, along with a CIP, which will
determine the amounts needed to replace
infrastructure and fund National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit
requirements. Additionally, the department will
review permitting requirements for downstream
impacts. A potential solution is assessing an impact
fee on the new developers, rather than a
requirement to work with the downstream property
owners to fix deficiencies.
Storm Drain Infrastructure Improvements: DPW
is responsible for the maintenance of 5,000 culverts
county-wide. Many of these culverts were installed
in the 1950�s-1970�s and are reaching the end of
their service life. In the 2019-20, DPW will complete
an inventory and condition analysis of the County
maintained road storm drain system and will
prioritize the rehabilitation or replacement of these
critical facilities.
Pajaro River Flood Control: Work continues on
the Pajaro River Levee project. Securing Federal
Fiscal Year 2020 work plan funds to support the
planning, engineering and development phase of
the project is a top priority.
Additionally, DPW is partnering with Congressman
Jimmy Panetta and Senators Diane Feinstein and
Kamala Harris on securing ongoing appropriations
for the levee project, potentially through
appropriations carve-out language in the federal
budget.
Lastly, the district is exploring the potential to form
a new governing body and finance options to
support the levee project, including outreach and
public/stakeholder engagement.
For additional information please see the full
budget document.