Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement with Terraphase Engineering Inc. for Environmental Support Services for the Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Project, Extending the Term by One-Year and Increasing the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $102,800, for a Total Contract Amount Not-To-Exceed $607,800.
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Project broke ground in December 2025 and is currently under construction. Terraphase Engineering Inc. (Terraphase) is the environmental consultant for the project and is integral to providing environmental support services related to environmental mitigation required for the Clement/Tilden Way Project. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a second amendment with Terraphase, extending the term by one year and increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $102,800 for a total contract amount not to exceed $607,800. The proposed Second Amendment is included as Exhibit 2.
BACKGROUND
The Clement/Tilden Way Project utilizes 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. The project involves constructing transportation and recreational facilities at a former railroad facility where there is contaminated soil, which requires remediation.
On September 5, 2023, the City of Alameda (City) entered into a Standard Voluntary Agreement with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the state agency regulating public exposure to environmental hazards and related remediation efforts, to assess and develop a plan for cleanup and remediation in this area. Remediation activities for the project involve: setting up air monitoring stations before and during removal activities, characterizing hazardous soils at project site to be disposed to an appropriate facility, removing hazardous soils (lead and arsenic) at various locations in the project area, on site soil sampling/testing to coordinate removal of additional soils to meet site cleanup goals, and project testing remaining soils for hazardous materials after completion of improvements.
Under the City’s agreement with DTSC the following work plans had to be prepared for DTSC’s review and approval prior to the start of remediation activities: Removal Action Work Plan, Community Monitoring Plan, Health and Safety Plan, and Site Management Plan. To assist in the development of these plans for DTSC review and approval, on September 19, 2023, the City entered into an agreement with Terraphase to provide environmental support services, including the oversight of remediation efforts for the Clement/Tilden Way Project, for an amount not to exceed $200,000, with a termination date of June 30, 2027 (Agreement).
On May 20, 2025, a first amendment to the Agreement was executed for Terraphase to provide additional environmental support services related to the Clement/Tilden Way Project for an amount not to exceed $305,000 and a total agreement compensation not to exceed $505,000 (First Amendment). Additional services included providing support for DTSC-required remedial action implementation activities prior to the start of construction. The Agreement and First Amendment are included as Exhibit 1.
The expanded scope for Terraphase involved multiple revisions to the above documents following DTSC comments and reviews. The revised and DTSC-approved work plans resulted in additional soil removal areas and sampling/testing, which then led to an expanded scope for air monitoring, soil sampling/characterization, confirmation sampling of site cleanup, and review of materials brought in to backfill/develop the project site. The revisions to the work plans and additional site work exceeded Terraphase’s original estimated scope and level of effort for this project.
DISCUSSION
Additional services required to oversee site cleanup, environmental remediation, and monitoring required by DTSC include the following:
• Additional meetings and coordination with DTSC to revise and finalize the Remedial Action Work Plan, Community Air Monitoring/Health and Safety Plan, and Site Management Plan.
• Increased site investigation and the number of samplings based on revisions to the Remedial Action Work Plan, including increasing size and depths of soil removal.
• Additional air monitoring at project site due to increased duration of soil removal activities and revisions to the Remedial Action Work Plan.
• Expanded construction support and schedule coordination for compliance with DTSC site remediation and restoration requirements under the revised Site Management Plan.
• Project Management and Site Management Plan support through the end of construction.
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment with Terraphase to provide additional environmental support services to oversee site cleanup, remediation, and compliance monitoring as required by DTSC. The proposed Second Amendment also extends the Agreement's term by an additional year to account for the expanded scope. Terraphase has background knowledge of the project site and the requirements of the Standard Voluntary Agreement with DTSC.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider the following alternatives to the staff recommendation, as well as other alternatives not identified below:
• Direct changes to the Second Amendment prior to authorizing the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment. This is not recommended, as these services are required to obtain DTSC approval to perform site cleanup and remediation under the Standard Voluntary Agreement.
Do not authorize the Second Amendment and direct staff to conduct a competitive solicitation for the services. This is not recommended since Terraphase has background and experience with the environmental remediation requirements for the project site.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total budget for Clement/Tilden Way Project (C65300) is $14.1 million. Costs include right-of-way acquisition, planning and design, hazardous material remediation, and construction. Funding for the proposed Second Amendment will be included in the existing project budget. There is no additional financial impact in executing the proposed Second Amendment to the Terraphase Agreement.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The recommended improvements to Clement Avenue and Tilden Way are consistent with the Alameda General Plan mobility goals, including Equity, Safety Choices, and Sustainability.
The improvements are included in the City of Alameda 2023 Strategic Plan as Project # TIE14b (investment in transportation, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and historic resources), and are consistent with the Active Transportation Plan, which includes a separated bikeway along Clement Avenue and Tilden Way, and the 2023 Infrastructure Plan that includes Project #3: Clement Avenue: Cross Alameda Trail Gap Closures.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
CLIMATE IMPACT
Since vehicle miles traveled are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda, safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users will have a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement with Terraphase Engineering Inc. for environmental support services for the Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Project, extending the Term by One-Year and increasing the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $102,800, for a Total Contract Amount Not-To-Exceed $607,800.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Brendin Christolear, Supervising Civil Engineer
Ali Hatefi, Senior Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Terraphase Agreement and First Amendment
2. Second Amendment