HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeach Access Project Update - Seapoint at PCH 5/5/97y
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
INTER -DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION
HUNTINGTON BEACH
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To City Council
via City Administrator}
From Ron Hagan, Director, Community Services
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Date April 28, 1997 rr'
Subject Beach Access Project - Seapoint at PCH
This memo will provide an update on the status of the installation of a
beach access from PCH to Seapoint. The plans and specifications have
been completed. The project is ready for bid; however, the engineer's
estimate for the project is $88,000. The reason for the high cost is that the
city must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and
provide a ramp with a 1 to 12 slope ratio from PCH to the beach. In addi-
tion, there is no sidewalk on the PCH side so a landing area at the signal
base must also be installed. Because of the erosion in this area, the land-
ing base and handicap ramps must be designed with pilings to prevent
destruction by erosion.
The city did receive a bicycle and pedestrian access grant for $20,000 for
this access project. We are $68,000 short in funding the completion of the
project. Staff currently is applying for additional grant funds through the
State Lands Commission and various federal grant programs. Unfortu-
nately, it does not appear that this project will gain a high enough priority
to be funded by one of these programs. Both the state and federal
agencies have determined that this particular access project caters to
the local community as there are no adjacent beach parking areas for
regional visitors. Consequently, it doesn't score high when stacked
against requests for grants serving regional or national interests.
At this point in time, it is staff's intention to keep looking for grant money;
however, if none becomes available by the 97/98 budget process, we will
submit the project in the capital improvement program for funding. The
capital improvement program, however, is severely underfunded and this
project may not receive enough priority over other infrastructure needs
that must be accomplished next year. If the normal channels of funding
this project are not successful, perhaps the city could look at raising pri-
vate funding for the $68,000 needed to complete the project. Organiza-
tions such as the Surfriders Foundation, Friends and Neighbors of Seacliff,
and other support groups for beach access may wish to conduct fund-
raising activities for this facility.
If you have any ideas, please contact Les Jones or me and we will cer-
tainly pursue them.
RH:cr
cc: Les Jones
Jim B. Engle
Bob Eichblatt
Doug Kato
Larry Neishi