Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-165 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR PREPARATION OF A PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLAN BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND COLE & ASSOCIATES, INC., AND APPROPRIATING $30,000 FROM THE AVAILABLE BALANCE OF THE TRANSNET FUND TO CIP GG222, “ASSET MANAGEMENT” (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
In order to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and to update the City’s information on infrastructure condition, the City issued a Request for Proposals for preparation of a Pedestrian Connectivity and Infrastructure Improvement Plan. Five firms submitted proposals and the top two firms were interviewed. Based on the review of the proposals and the interviews, staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Cole & Associates, Inc.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
This activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality act State Guidelines, therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
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Environmental Determination
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable
DISCUSSION
The City originally established the Capital Improvement Program project GG222: “Asset Management” in order to identify all City-owned assets, perform condition assessments, consolidate the information into a centralized database, and prepare a Preservation and Rehabilitation Plan to assist the city in prioritizing the allocation of limited resources. One major portion of this plan includes pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, pedestrian traffic signals, and crosswalks.
Pedestrian infrastructure is included as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City originally wrote an ADA Transition Plan in 1994, as required by law. Since that date, the City has been compiling a list of missing pedestrian ramps at intersections and has been regularly constructing ramps from this list as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program. However, staff does not have a list of existing ramps that are not compliant with the latest 2010 ADA standards. Additionally, staff does not have a comprehensive list on the condition of the City’s sidewalks.
On December 25, 2015, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preparation of a Pedestrian Connectivity and Infrastructure Improvement Plan. The RFP was advertised in accordance with the City’s requirements. The objectives of the plan are to evaluate all City sidewalks and ramps standards, to rank deficient sidewalks and ramps, to prepare recommendations for improvements, and to train staff to update the recommendations. The cost was estimated to be between $350,000 and $450,000. Proposals were due by 4:00 pm on January 22, 2016.
City staff received five proposals by the due date. There was a five member selection panel. The consultants’ proposals were evaluated and ranked as shown in the table below.
|
rank |
consultant |
location |
fee estimate |
|
1 |
Cole & Associates, Inc. w/ Chen Ryan |
St. Louis, MO |
$445,311 |
|
1 |
Sally Swanson & Associates w/ Chen Ryan |
San Francisco, CA |
$433,678 |
|
3 |
NCE (Nichols Consulting Engineers) |
Fountain Valley, CA |
$409,100 |
|
4 |
KOA Corporation |
San Diego, CA |
$372,370 |
|
5 |
Rick Engineering Co. w/ U.S. Access Consultants |
San Diego, CA |
$407,100 |
Based on the above ranking, the selection panel decided to Interview Cole & Associates and Sally Swanson & Associates. Both firms proposed to use Chen Ryan as a subcontractor. Chen Ryan prepared the Bikes on Broadway study, and several of their staff members worked on the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan.
Both firms were interviewed on March 15, 2016. Based on the interviews, the panel unanimously decided to select Cole & Associates as the first negotiating choice. Although both firms were determined to be qualified, Cole was selected based on the qualifications of the project team, their understanding of the work to be done, their knowledge of the ADA guidelines, the proposed data collection methodology, and their proposed project schedule.
Staff has negotiated with Cole & Associates to add some items to the original scope and to make sure that the entire City would be surveyed. This includes approximately 444.0 center line miles of public roadways. The final proposed cost of this contract will be $443,230.34, which is approximately $2,000 less than the original proposal. The contract will include the following:
• Survey data for all sidewalks and pedestrian ramps within the City, including intersection evaluation for ramps that are ADA compliant
• Evaluation of pedestrian traffic signals
• Prioritization, preliminary cost estimates, and a recommended improvement program
• Preparation of a Pedestrian Connectivity Plan
• A series of three public meetings in different areas of the City and a presentation to Council for approval
• Integration of inspection data into the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and Lucity software
• Training for City staff in using the new database, updating cost tables, and evaluating project feasibility
The work on this contract is required to be completed by June 30, 2017.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The goal of the Pedestrian Connectivity and Infrastructure Improvement Plan is to support the Strong and Secure Neighborhood Strategy. It will guide City staff in preparing programs for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the City’s sidewalks, thereby providing a safe and efficient roadway system for residents, businesses and visitors.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The current funding in GG222 is $420,164. Adoption of the resolution will approve an agreement for preparation of a Pedestrian Connectivity and Infrastructure Improvement Plan with Cole & Associates, Inc. and appropriate an additional $30,000 in TransNet to GG222. Sufficient funds are available in the TransNet Fund for said appropriation.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of the plan will require additional funds. Projects will be considered on an individual basis as part of the annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Agreement with Cole & Associates
Staff Contact: Elizabeth Chopp, Senior Civil Engineer