Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment with Terraphase Engineering Inc. in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $305,000, Including Contingencies, for a Total Contract Amount Not-To-Exceed $505,000, to Provide Additional Environmental Support Services Related to the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Project.
Amending this agreement for contractual services is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15262, Feasibility and Planning Studies and 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment. (Planning Building and Transportation 10062032)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this agenda item is to request City Council to authorize the City Manager to execute a First Amendment with Terraphase Engineering Inc. (Terraphase) for up to $305,000, including contingencies, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $505,000, to continue providing feasibility studies and associated environmental support services that are required by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way (Clement/Tilden) project’s environmental clean-up work.
BACKGROUND
Over the last 20 years, the City of Alameda (City) has been planning for and constructing the Cross Alameda Trail on former railroad right-of-way, spanning four miles from the Seaplane Lagoon at Alameda Point to the Miller-Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025 and be completed in mid-2026. Information on the Clement/Tilden project is at: www.alamedaca.gov/ClementTilden.
The Clement/Tilden project uses the abandoned railroad right-of-way at Clement Avenue and Tilden Way to extend the Cross Alameda Trail between Broadway and the Miller-Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge and to improve the truck and bus routes in this area. As part of the Clement/Tilden project, the City is required to investigate the soil contamination at this former railroad site with oversight by DTSC.
DISCUSSION
DTSC is a state agency regulating public exposure to environmental hazards and related clean-up efforts and remediation. Terraphase is already providing environmental support services related to the Clement/Tilden project per the Agreement (Exhibit 1) and additional work scope is required per the DTSC process for the construction phase. All City/Terraphase work performed pursuant to this amendment is subject to DTSC’s review and approval. The DTSC process required to address hazardous substances at the site for the construction phase involves:
• Finalizing the remedial action work plan
• Community air monitoring plan, health and safety plan and specifications
• Site management plan
• Pre-excavation waste characterization sampling
• Oversight and air monitoring
• Implementation support
• Post re-grading sampling
• Closeout reporting
• Agency interaction, project management and coordination
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a First Amendment with Terraphase to continue providing the environmental support services that are required by DTSC for the Clement/Tilden project’s environmental clean-up work.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider a range of alternatives:
• Authorize the recommended amendment.
• Authorize the recommended amendment with revisions.
• Do not authorize the amendment and direct staff to pursue a different approach.
The Clement/Tilden project only can move forward with environmental clean-up and an additional process will create a schedule delay that could jeopardize the Measure BB grant funding, which expires on December 31, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Clement/Tilden project (C65300) has a budget of $13.8 million. Costs include right-of-way acquisition, planning and design, hazardous materials remediation and construction. The City has received an $8.4 million Measure BB grant and a $2.1 million Safe Routes to BART grant and has $3.4 million in local monies for this project. The Terraphase amendment totals $305,000, including contingencies, and will be covered as part of the existing Clement/Tilden project budget. No additional budget is needed for the proposed Terraphase agreement.
Table 1: Terraphase Contract and Amendment
|
Contract |
Approval |
Authorized |
Expended |
|
Original Contract |
9/19/2023 |
$200,000 |
$199,981 |
|
1st Amendment |
NA |
$305,000 |
NA |
|
Total |
|
$505,000 |
$199,981 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The Clement/Tilden project is listed in the City’s 2023 Strategic Plan as TIE14b. This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and with the City's Mobility Element of the Alameda 2040 General Plan (2021) main goals of equity, safety, choices and sustainability. The Parks + Open Space Element mentions the Cross Alameda Trail to promote its completion. The Active Transportation Plan (2022) includes the Clement/Tilden project as part of the City’s Low-stress Backbone Network to allow people of all ages and abilities to bicycle. The Clement/Tilden project addresses a High Crash Intersection designated in the Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), which focuses on eliminating fatal and severe injury collisions. The Transportation Choices Plan (2018) lists the Clement/Tilden project as a Vision Zero Safety Improvements and Traffic Calming priority.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
These actions are statutorily exempt from environmental review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment. As a separate and independent basis, these actions are also exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies. DTSC is the lead agency on the remediation and will be preparing further environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA.
CLIMATE IMPACT
This project aims to make it safer and more convenient to bicycle, walk and ride the bus and to reduce congestion and idling motor vehicles. Since vehicle miles traveled is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda, staff expect the Cross Alameda Trail extension between Broadway and the Miller-Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge and a roundabout at Blanding/Tilden/Fernside to have a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a First Amendment with Terraphase in an amount not-to-exceed $305,000, including contingencies, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $505,000, to provide additional environmental support services related to the Clement/Tilden project.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Gail Payne, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Agreement
2. First Amendment
cc: Erin Smith, Public Works Director