Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement with Parametrix, Inc. in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $1,699,780, including Contingencies, for a Total Agreement Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,326,780, to Provide Additional Technical Services Related to the Lincoln Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue Corridor Improvement Project.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) and Section 15304(h) Minor Alterations to Land (creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights of way). None of the exceptions to the exemptions apply. These findings confirm and accord with the environmental findings in prior City Council actions taken on the Project on April 18, 2023, September 17, 2024 and February 4, 2025. (Transportation 20962743)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) has identified the Lincoln Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue (Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific) corridor (Project) between Alameda Point at Main Street/Central Avenue/Pacific Avenue and Broadway in the east end of town as a high priority for safety and mobility improvements. Staff recommends that City Council advance the Project by authorizing the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment with Parametrix, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $1,699,780, including contingencies, for a total Agreement amount not-to-exceed $3,326,780, to provide additional technical services related to the Project.
BACKGROUND
The Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific corridor is over three miles long, serves multiple destinations including schools, bus stops, commercial districts and parks, and is a Tier 1 high-injury corridor in some street sections. The Project goals include improving safety, mobility and pavement while reducing flooding and greenhouse gas emissions. The Project is the result of a multi-year collaborative effort directed by City Council as shown on the webpage: www.alamedaca.gov/LincolnMarshallPacific and with the following key actions:
- April 2023: City Council endorsed the design concept (Exhibit 1) and the Parametrix agreement for $1,000,000 to complete 65 percent design (Exhibit 2).
- June 2023: City staff submitted a Safe Routes for All (SS4A) federal grant application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for $20,000,000 including local match, which was unsuccessful.
- May 2024: City staff re-submitted the same SS4A application.
- September 2024: USDOT selected the Project for SS4A funding totaling $16,000,000 with a 20 percent local match, which equals $4,000,000 and is expected to come from Measure BB’s Named Bus Transit Funds. City Council authorized a state earmark from Assemblymember Mia Bonta totaling $375,000 to include stormwater improvements and the Parametrix First Amendment totaling $627,000 to complete this work (Exhibit 2).
- Late 2024: Immediate action on the Project occurred on Lincoln Avenue at Walnut Street with the installation of flashing beacons and increased intersection visibility.
- February 2025: City Council authorized the SS4A federal grant funding, and City staff are working on an agreement with USDOT for the SS4A funding.
DISCUSSION
To improve multimodal safety, bicycling, walking, bus access, school access, equity, drainage and sustainability, the Project includes a road diet, a roundabout at Lincoln Avenue/Fifth Street/Marshall Way, pedestrian/bicycle signals, modernized traffic signals, crosswalk improvements, school frontage improvements, stormwater best practices, street trees, disabled parking, loading zones, improved lighting and bus stop enhancements. City staff and the Parametrix consultant team have completed 65 percent design drawings for the Project, which is funded by a Measure BB grant, a state earmark, the Measure BB Local, Streets and Roads Fund and Developer Impact Fees. The Parametrix Second Amendment, totaling $1,699,780, covers final design and construction engineering support as shown in Exhibit 3 and summarized below:
- Project Management
- 95 Percent Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS & E) Development
- 100 Percent PS & E Development
- Issue for Construction Bid PS & E
- Construction Bid Support
- Permit Coordination
- Design Services During Construction
- Project Contingency
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider a range of alternatives:
- Authorize the recommended Second Amendment.
- Authorize the recommended Second Amendment with revisions.
- Direct staff to pursue a different approach; however, taking a different direction may result in delays and could jeopardize the Project’s eligibility for SS4A federal funds that are being awarded from USDOT.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Table 1 summarizes the Parametrix Inc. agreement history to complete the concept design with a requested authorized amount not-to-exceed $3,326,780.
Table 1: Parametrix, Inc. Agreement History
The additional $1,699,780 has already been appropriated as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program for this Project (C65700) from the General Fund. To fund the construction phase, City staff are working on agreements with USDOT for SS4A funding totaling $16,000,000 and with Alameda County Transportation Commission for Measure BB Named Bus Funds totaling $4,000,000 for a total construction budget of $20,000,000.Given the change in the federal administration, some of the new federal grants contain new conditions that are inconsistent with City policy and State law (such as requirements to cooperate with immigration enforcement and anti-DEI programs). There are multiple pending lawsuits challenging these federal conditions, including one brought by the California Attorney General. The City Attorney is analyzing whether the City’s legal interests are protected under this existing litigation or whether the City should formally join the litigation as a party. Joining one of these legal challenges could potentially allow the City to enter into the USDOT grant while reserving the right to challenge any unconstitutional federal conditions.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific Corridor Improvement Project is consistent with the Alameda 2040 General Plan (adopted 2021) and makes progress towards meeting the four goals of the Mobility Element, which are equity, safety, choices and sustainability. The Project is identified as part of the City’s Active Transportation Plan and listed in the Strategic Plan in the Priority to Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities & Historic Resources, Project #TIE5 to secure funding and detailed design for the Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific corridor project. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
For purposes of CEQA, the Project is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) and Section 15304(h) Minor Alterations to Land (creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights-of-way). None of the exceptions to the exemptions apply. These findings confirm and accord with the environmental findings in prior City Council actions taken on the Project on April 18, 2023, September 17, 2024 and February 4, 2025.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Since vehicle miles traveled in Alameda is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda, City staff is expecting that the Project would have a positive climate impact. The Project is being developed to make it safer and more convenient to bicycle, ride the bus, and walk, and to reduce congestion and idling motor vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement with Parametrix, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $1,699,780, including contingencies, for a Total Agreement amount not-to-exceed $3,326,780, to provide additional technical services related to the Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Gail Payne, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Concept Design Vision
2. Original Agreement and First Amendment - Parametrix
3. Second Amendment - Parametrix