Council directs study work for Jacob Myers Park trail expansion after elderberry constraints identified

The Riverbank City Council on Tuesday directed staff to proceed with additional environmental work on the proposed Jacob Myers Park trail expansion after consultants identified federally protected elderberry shrubs along the planned alignment.

Parks & Recreation Director Michael Patton and consultants reported the proposed roughly 1.18‑mile non‑motorized trail runs through habitat with more than 30 elderberry shrubs that could be habitat for the federally regulated elderberry borer. Because the land lies adjacent to and involves Army Corps property, project staff must pursue a Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of NEPA in addition to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis.

What the council directed Staff summarized the original ARPA contribution of about $101,500 for environmental work and said the city has committed $39,894 to JB Anderson plus a $3,500 change order; consultants proposed additional biological work ($19,200) and MCR Engineering cross‑sections ($23,000), a $42,200 total. After discussion about funding levels and regulatory constraints, the council voted 5–0 to approve Option 2: authorize the contract amendments and studies needed to complete the environmental review so the city can complete CEQA/NEPA and prepare permitting and construction documents when funding becomes available.

Why elderberry shrubs matter Consultants and staff explained that elderberry stems can trigger federal mitigation requirements because they are habitat for a beetle species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has guidance on how far surveys must extend and on mitigation; staff said a refined biological assessment and a topo/cross‑section from an engineer are necessary to locate the trail to avoid the most significant impacts and to inform mitigation planning.

Budget and timeline Staff said the $101,500 ARPA allocation was originally intended to carry the project from environmental review through permitting and design but current estimates show the environmental portion alone will likely consume much of that fund. Staff estimated construction drawings and additional surveying could require another ~$60,000 and that final construction will likely be a multi‑six‑figure expense. Councilmembers expressed willingness to pursue grants and partner support, and staff said they would return with contract amendments for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.

What happens next Staff will proceed with the additional biological field work and the MCR engineering cross‑section work; the refined biological assessment and cultural survey will feed the initial study/mitigated negative declaration and the mitigation monitoring plan. Council and staff said they would continue to seek external funding to reduce the city’s share for later design and construction phases.