HomeMy WebLinkAbout05328 - CVAG, CVCC AND CITY MOU RE FUNDING OF GENE AUTRY TRAIL BRIDGE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS,
THE COACHELLA VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
AND THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS REGARDING FUNDING OF
THE GENE AUTRY TRAIL BRIDGE
This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into between Coachella Valley Association
of Governments, a California JPA ("CVAG"), the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission, a
California JPA("CVCC"), and the City of palm Springs, California,a Charter City("Palm Springs"),
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Gene Autry Trail is an important transportation corridor for the City of Palm
Springs and the Coachella Valley. CVAG and Palm Springs anticipate that in the future a bridge
will be built where Gene Autry Trail crosses the Whitewater Wash. CVAG estimates that, in order
to accommodate flood flows,the bridge would need to be approximately 3000 feet long,or shorter,
depending on flood control design..
WHEREAS,CVAG and Palm Springs have both now adopted the Coachella Valley Multiple
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP), contingent upon successful completion of this
MOU. The CVMSHCP will protect the relgion's biological resources, vegetation communities, and
natural areas. The CVMSHCP provides that the Whitewater Wash in the vicinity of Gene Autry
Trail be preserved as a wildlife corridor. There is concern that if a bridge is built on Gene Autry
Trail over the Whitewater Wash, preservation of the wildlife corridor may require a bridge in
excess of 3000 feet.
WHEREAS, under CVAG's transportation funding regulations, and being that the Gene
Autry Trail bridge at the Whitewater River is a "Named Measure A" project, Palm Springs would
ordinarily be required to pay the local share (25%) of the bridge when it is constructed. Palm
Springs is concerned that its approval of the CVMSHCP would increase the cost of its share of
the bridge as the bridge will need to be longer to accommodate the wildlife corridor required by
the CVMSHCP, CVAG and Palm Springs believe that any additional cost for the Gene Autry Trail
bridge, in order to accommodate the wildlife corridor, should not be borne by Palm Springs.
WHEREAS, CVAG, CVCC and Palm Springs are entering into this Memorandum of
Understanding to memorialize their agreement that if Palm Springs approves the CVMSHCP,
CVCC commits to develop funding alternatives for the Gene Autry Trail bridge such that Palm
Springs'required share shall not be greaterthan necessary to fund a bridge longer than 3000 feet.
AGREEMENT
THEREFORE, CVAG, CVCC and Palm Springs agree as follows:
If a bridge longer than 3000 feet is required in order to accommodate the wildlife corridor,
CVCC commits to develop funding alternatives that will not require Palm Springs to fund a portion
greaterthan what otherwise would be required to fund a 3000 foot bridge on GeneAutry Trail over
the Whitewater Wash.
Dated- 102.1 Z t° I xdQ� CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Dated CHAIRMAN,
CVAG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
By klm
Dated- �( G CHAIRMAN,
CVCC Ba o Di ectors
-Attest
Clerk
APPROVED-By CITY COUNCIL
V AS3Z,5