Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for Construction of Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project No. P.W. 04-25-14, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $8,373,060.21, Including a 15% Contingency;
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $1,102,124.10, Including a 10% Contingency; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Budget by Reducing Revenue and Appropriations in Capital Improvement Program C55300 by $75,000, Reducing Revenue and Appropriations of Measure BB Paratransit Funds in Capital Improvement Program C61000 by $200,000, and Appropriating $2,100,000 of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grant Funds to Capital Improvement Program 65300 to Increase Revenue and Appropriations for Capital Improvement Program C65300 by $2,375,000.
In accordance with the 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)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project includes constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Tilden Way/Blanding Avenue/Fernside Boulevard, safety improvements at the intersection of Tilden Way/Broadway, Clement Avenue extension from Broadway to Tilden Way, improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improved bus stops, landscaping/raingardens, an open space dog park, and pavement resurfacing. The City of Alameda (City) issued plans and specifications for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements project, No. P.W. 04-25-14, for construction bids on May 8, 2025.
Staff is requesting the following:
• That City Council award an Agreement to Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, in an amount not-to-exceed $8,373,060.21, including a 15% contingency, for the construction of Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project, PW 04-25-14.
• That City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. to perform construction management and inspection services on the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project in an amount not-to-exceed $1,102,124.10, including a 10% contingency.
• That City Council approve the proposed budget resolution to transfer funds between capital improvement projects and appropriate Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grant Funds.
BACKGROUND
Over the last 20 years, the City has been planning for and constructing the Cross Alameda Trail on former railroad right-of-way, spanning from Seaplane Lagoon at Alameda Point to the Miller-Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge. Upon completion, the cross island, low-stress bicycle and pedestrian facility will provide a safe, comfortable and convenient facility for bicyclists and pedestrians across the City.
In 2022, staff conducted extensive public outreach to solicit input on the design of the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way project, including the Cross Alameda Trail, Clement Avenue extension, bicycle/pedestrian safety improvements, truck route and other opportunities. This work included two stakeholder meetings with about 20 participants, a virtual community workshop with about 30 participants, an in-person Open House with 15-19 participants and a survey with 175 and 116 respondents. Design input was also included from Alameda County staff, AC Transit, Alameda Housing Authority, BART Bicycle Task Force, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), Bike Walk Alameda, Bridgeside Shopping Center, Commission on Persons with Disabilities, City of Oakland staff, Downtown Area Business Association, Edison School families, Greer Mortuary, San Francisco Bay Trail, Recreation and Parks Commission, Unity Council in Oakland, and individual members of the public.
On September 8, 2022, after multiple public discussions of potential East End/Bay Farm Island dog park locations, the Recreation and Parks Commission voted to direct City staff to explore the Clement/Tilden project site for a potential dog park location. In February 2023, the Recreation and Parks Commission endorsed the open space design in this concept, including a dog park.
In January 2023, the Transportation Commission unanimously endorsed the Clement/Tilden concept with an amendment to include future proofing with communications/conduit infrastructure. In March 2023, City Council approved the design concept for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project and authorized funding for technical consultant services related to the project. To proceed with engineering design to produce plans and specifications for construction.
In July 2024, the City and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) entered into a funding agreement that awarded $2.1 million to the City to include safety improvements at the intersection of Clement Avenue/Broadway to be included with the improvements for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements project.
The Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project implements the City’s 2021 Vision Zero Action Plan, 2040 General Plan, and 2022 Active Transportation Plan by achieving the following objectives:
• Prioritize safety
• Improve mobility for all roadway users
• Improve bicycle and pedestrian access
• Provide flood reduction and landscaping opportunities
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The scope of the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project has evolved as noted above and includes construction of a roundabout at the Tilden Way/Blanding Avenue/Fernside Boulevard intersection, safety improvements at the Tilden Way/Broadway intersection, extension of Clement Avenue from Broadway to Tilden Way, improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improved bus stops, landscaping/raingardens, open space dog park, and pavement resurfacing. Project construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2025.
DISCUSSION
Award Construction Agreement to Bay Cities Paving & Grading
To solicit the maximum number of bids and most competitive price, plans and specifications for construction were provided to 15 separate builders exchanges throughout the Bay Area. Notices were also sent to contractors on the Public Works Department Contractor’s List. In addition, notices were placed on the City’s website and published in the Alameda Journal. Bids were opened on June 3, 2025. Five contractors submitted bids. The bid results are as follows:
|
Bidder (To be updated after bid opening |
Bid |
|
Bay Cities Paving and Grading, Inc. |
$7,280,921.92 |
|
McGuire & Hester |
$7,467,290.00 |
|
Interstate Grading and Paving |
$8,515,950.00 |
|
Gallagher & Burk |
$8,738,738.00 |
|
Redgwick Construction Company. |
$9,410,235.00 |
Staff recommends awarding an agreement to Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for a total amount of $8,373,060.21 which includes a 15% contingency amount of $1,092,138.29. The 15% contingency is requested to account for unknowns related to environmental remediation within the former railroad right of way. The contractor is not guaranteed any of the contingency amount and use of the contingency will be at the sole discretion of the City for work not originally anticipated in the plans and specifications. The specifications also informed the successful bidder that they shall pay not less than the prevailing rate of per diem as determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. The Agreement is attached as Exhibit 1.
Award Service Provider Agreement to 4LEAF, Inc. for Construction Management
In 2022, staff issued a request for qualifications for construction management and inspection services, anticipating several large grant funded projects in the following years. 4LEAF, Inc. was one of three firms selected from nine submitted proposals to provide services to the City. 4LEAF, Inc. has more than 23 years of managing public works construction projects that include pavement improvements, intersection and transportation improvements, and pedestrian safety improvements. Staff received a proposal from 4LEAF, Inc. on May 19, 2025 to provide construction management and inspection for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements project. Staff is requesting City Council authorization of 4LEAF, Inc.’s Service Provider Agreement to provide construction engineering and inspection services for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements project for $1,102,124.10, which includes a 10% contingency.
Approve Proposed Budget Resolution
In order to provide the additional funding required to complete the project, staff recommend transferring the following to Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project (CIP Project C65300):
• $75,000 of funds budgeted in CIP Project C55300, appropriated in the 2021-23 CIP Budget for construction of a new dog park in the east end of Alameda, to fund construction of a dog park for CIP Project C65300.
• $200,000 of funds budgeted in CIP Project C61000, appropriated in the 2023-25 CIP Budget for Citywide accessible bus stop improvements, for bus stop improvements within the limits of CIP Project C65300.
Staff also recommend appropriating $2,100,000 of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grants funds that was awarded in July 2024, to CIP Project C65300. The approved transfers and appropriations will provide $14,141,114 in total funding to complete this project.
ALTERNATIVES
• Award the construction agreement and service provider agreement.
• Do not award the construction agreement. Failure to award the construction agreement may lead to a loss of grant funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements project is budgeted in Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project C65300. This project is funded by Measure BB Grant from Alameda CTC, Measure BB Local Streets and Roads (LSR), interest from purchase of Right-of-Way (ROW Interest), Highway Users Tax Account (HUTA Gas Tax), Construction Impact Fees (CIF), and Transportation Development Impact Frees (DIF Transport). With approval of funding allocation, the project will also be funded from the Safe Routes to BART Grant, Measure BB Paratransit from CIP C61000 and General Fund from CIP 55300 (Table 1). Total project cost for Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements is approximately $14 million for design, environmental, right-of-way, construction, and management (Table 2).
Table 1: Funding Allocation
|
Funding Source |
Amount |
|
Measure BB Grant |
$8,395,000 |
|
Measure BB LSR |
$826,000 |
|
ROW Interest |
$68,114 |
|
HUTA Gas Tax |
$222,500 |
|
Construction Impact Fee |
$222,500 |
|
DIF Transport |
$2,032,000 |
|
Subtotal |
$11,766,144 |
|
Safe Routes to BART |
$2,100,000 |
|
Measure BB Paratransit (C61000) |
$200,000 |
|
General Fund (C55300) |
$75,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$14,141,114 |
Table 2: Cost Allocation by Project Phase
|
Project PhaseAmount |
|
|
Planning and Design |
$1,600,000 |
|
Environmental Evaluations |
$700,000 |
|
Right-of-Way Acquisition |
$1,800,000 |
|
Construction Cost |
$8,500,000 |
|
Construction Management and Inspection Services |
$1,200,000 |
|
Project Administration/Management/Support |
$300,000.00 |
|
Total |
$14,100,000 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The recommended improvements to Clement Avenue and Tilden Way are consistent with Alameda General Plan mobility goals, including:
• Equity: Provide for mobility needs of all Alameda residents, workers, and visitors regardless of income, age, ability, and neighborhood.
• Safety: Eliminate fatalities and severe injuries on Alameda streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and trails by 2035.
• Choices: Expand and improve options to low occupancy automobile trips to incentivize mode shift to more environmentally sustainable modes of transportation while recognizing the diverse needs for mobility.
• Sustainability: Reduce the impacts of transportation system on the environment, and transition to a more resilient transportation system to address the impacts of climate change.
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 2030 Infrastructure Plan that include 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 is the largest source of greenhouse gas emission in Alameda, safety improvements in support of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit will have a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. for construction of Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project No. P.W. 04-25-14, for a not-to-exceed amount of $8,373,060.21 including contingency.
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection services for the Clement Avenue/Tilden Way Improvements Project for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,102,124.10 including contingency.
Adopt a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025-26 Capital Budget by reducing revenue and appropriations in Capital Improvement Program C55300 by $75,000, reducing revenue and appropriations of Measure BB Paratransit funds in Capital Improvement Program C61000 by $200,000, increasing revenues and appropriations to Capital Improvement Program C65300 by $340,000, and appropriating $2,100,000 of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Grant Funds To Capital Improvements Program C65300 to increase revenues and appropriations to Capital Improvement Program C65300 by $2,375,000.
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. Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. Construction Agreement
2. 4LEAF, Inc. Consultant Agreement