Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Service Provider Agreement with CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, dba Parisi/CSW Design Group to Retroactively Extend the Term through June 30, 2021 for Outreach, Planning and Design Services for the Otis Drive Traffic Calming and Safety Improvement Project. (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 20, 2018, the City Council awarded a contract to CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, dba Parisi/CSW Design Group (Parisi) for outreach, planning, and design services for the Otis Drive Traffic Calming Project. Otis Drive, between Westline Drive and Willow Street (1 mile), has been identified as a high priority for traffic safety improvements, a bicycle priority street, and also a primary transit street. Safety concerns along Otis Drive between Westline Drive and Willow Street include high speeds, long crossings for pedestrians, and a lack of bicycle facilities. In June 2019, the City Council approved the Otis Drive concept with three motor vehicle travel lanes and Class II bike lanes, including a Class IV parking protected bikeway by Rittler Park. This amendment is to retroactively extend the term from October 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021, to allow the consultant team time to complete the construction drawings for construction in 2020.
BACKGROUND
On October 17, 2017, pre-qualified firms were sent a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for professional outreach, planning, and design services for transportation complete streets projects, including the Otis Drive Traffic Calming Project. Thirteen firms submitted the RFQ on November 14, 2017. Nine firms were short-listed and interviewed, five firms were recommended to be prequalified, and Parisi was awarded the contract.
DISCUSSION
The contract term expired on October 1, 2019, and if continued, will need to be retroactively extended. Parisi has been providing exceptional transportation engineering, high quality graphics and interactions with key stakeholders. Currently, staff is reviewing 65% construction drawings with 100% construction drawings expected to be completed in early 2020 in time for the 2020 construction season to avoid the rainy months.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the First Amendment to the Service Provider Agreement.
• Direct staff to do another competitive bid process and request for proposals to complete the pre-construction work, which would delay the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funds for the Parisi contract are budgeted in the Public Works Department’s account for Capital Improvement Program (CIP #91818). Funding sources include Measure B/BB Local Streets and Roads and local Developer Impact Fees. There is no impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The City Council approved the Transportation Element of the General Plan (2009), which lists Otis Drive as a transit priority street and a bicycle priority street, in school and recreation zones and as an Island Arterial, and lists other priorities that will be addressed in the Otis Drive Traffic Calming Project, such as multimodal, safety and environmental improvements and considering needs for individuals with disabilities. This action is also consistent with the Alameda General Plan Safety and Noise Element Policy SN-5, which states: “Ensure that the City prioritize public safety through the implementation of a Vision Zero policy to reduce annual pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries resulting from collisions with faster moving vehicles and unsafe street design.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities), Section 15302 (Replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity) and Section 15304 (h) Minor Alterations to Land and the creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights of way. As a separate and independent basis, the project also is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20.5 (restriping of streets and highways for bike lanes in an urbanized area that is consistent with a bike plan). City staff prepared an assessment of the project related traffic and safety impacts, and recommends a concept that alleviates potential vehicular traffic impacts and bicycle and pedestrian safety impacts. No further environmental review is required because the project fits within the above categorical and statutory exemptions that are specifically designed for these types of bicycle infrastructure projects in urban areas, and none of the exceptions to the exemptions apply.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City, expected to amount to 70 percent by 2020. This project will further the implementation of the following City planning documents: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2019), Transportation Choices Plan (2018), Bicycle Plan Update (2010), the Pedestrian Plan (2009), and the Climate Plan (2008), which highlight the need for sustainable transportation such as increased bicycling and walking and for the reduction of solo driving so as to reduce GHG emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to the Service Provider Agreement with Parisi to retroactively extend the term from October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021, for the outreach, planning and design services for the Otis Drive traffic calming and safety improvement project.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the amendment extending the contract.
Respectfully submitted,
Liam Garland, Public Works Director
By,
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Original Contract
2. First Amendment
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager