The purpose of this Relocation Plan (online as a web attachment) is to ensure that persons displaced as a result of the Salinas Rail Extension project are treated fairly, consistently, and equitably, so that such persons will not suffer disproportionate injuries as a result of a project designed for the benefit of the public as a whole; and to ensure that the Agency implements the Uniform Act and 49 CFR 24 in a manner that is efficient and cost effective. The Uniform Act sets minimum standards of benefits and compensation for relocation advisory and financial benefits, and establishes basic standards and requirements for appraisal and acquisition to be followed in acquiring real property. The Uniform Act is not an entitlement program, but rather a reimbursement program to assist in relocating to a new site.

To address these issues, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County has prepared this Relocation Plan to be undertaken in connection with the Salinas Rail Extension project. The rail project includes the acquisition of real property and may require relocation of residential and business occupants and personal property in the City of Salinas. The element of the project that this Relocation Plan is concerned with is the relocation of four commercial businesses and one single-room occupancy residential property. The rail project also has the potential to require the relocation of miscellaneous personal property.

Any person, household, business, farm, or nonprofit organization displaced by a public project may be entitled to relocation benefits if they are in occupancy of the property being acquired at the time of the initiation of negotiations. Persons and entities displaced by a project and determined to be eligible for benefits are classified as a “displacee.” Displaced persons must be fully informed of their rights and entitlements to relocation assistance and payments provided by the Uniform Act.

The draft Relocation Plan addresses the needs and characteristics of the displacee population, available relocation resources, and the Transportation Agency's program to provide assistance to each affected person. Eligible displacees may be entitled to advisory assistance, moving costs, and/or replacement housing payments, as follows:

• Advisory assistance is available to anyone who occupied the real property when acquired by the Agency;
• Moving costs will be reimbursed for actual, reasonable and necessary expenses and are available to anyone who must move personal property from the real property acquired by the Agency; and
• Replacement housing payments are available for residential occupants based on type and length of occupancy at the time the Agency initiates negotiations to acquire the real property.

The Transportation Agency has retained Overland, Pacific & Cutler, Inc. to assist with property acquisitions and administer the Relocation Program. The Relocation Program is designed to minimize hardship, be responsive to unique project circumstances, emphasize maintaining personal contact with all affected individuals, and consistently apply all regulatory criteria to formulate eligibility and benefit determinations and conform to all applicable requirements.

The draft Relocation Plan was circulated for comments during a 30-day public review period with notification sent to the affected property owners and tenants.  The plan was also presented to the Rail Policy Committee for review.  No comments were received on the draft plan from the public or the Committee.  Agency staff is now seeking Board approval of the Relocation Plan.