To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Julie Lucido, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Jessica Lowe, Deputy Public Works Director
TITLE:
Title
Emergency Repair of Browns Valley Creek at Tall Grass Drive Bridge
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Determine there is a need to continue the emergency action to execute and implement a contract for the design, permitting, and construction to stabilize the creek bank and adjacent roadway for Browns Valley Creek at Tall Grass Drive, and determine that the actions authorized by this item are exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to City of Napa Municipal Code 2.91.040, City staff shall continue to make reports to City Council at each regularly scheduled City Council meeting until the emergency action is terminated by City Council. At the December 17, 2024, Council meeting, City Council determined the need to continue the emergency.
Background:
Emergency actions were recommended after inspections of the Tall Grass Drive Bridge had shown that erosion to the Browns Valley Creek banks beneath the bridge had progressed. Public Works engaged professional structural and civil engineers, along with an environmental specialist, who determined that, to prevent further damage, ensure public safety, and maintain vehicle and emergency access, immediate action is required to stabilize the creek bank before sustained heavy winter rains. On December 3, 2024, the City Manager declared an emergency and authorized the Public Works Director to execute emergency contracts.
Update:
Work to stabilize the creek bank continues. The high creek flows on February 4, 2025 impacted the site causing some additional areas of erosion. Some repairs to the area will be required. Staff will continue to conduct weekly site monitoring throughout the repair process and implement post-stabilization measures as recommended until the permanent repairs are completed. During inspections during the storm of February 4, 2025, staff also identified that the bridge’s drainage system was not functioning properly which will require additional site investigations and repairs will be required for the system. Staff is recommending the emergency be continued so contracts for the design and construction of the final repair can be completed expeditiously.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are adequate available funds in the Bridge Assessment and Repair capital improvement project (33BR22PW01). Staff anticipates bringing a request to Council to create and fund a new CIP project for the permanent repair.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to: CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 (Statutory exemption for emergency repairs, in accordance with California Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(2)); and CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Categorical exemption Class 1 Existing Facilities), which exempts repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None.
NOTIFICATION:
None.