REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Design Professional Services Agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Improvements Project and Amend the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Capital Improvement Project Locations
Report
BACKGROUND
An uncontrolled crosswalk is a striped pedestrian crossing where motorists do not have a traffic control device (i.e. stop sign, traffic signal) controlling their movement across the crosswalk. There are approximately 200 uncontrolled crosswalk locations throughout the City and staff has received community feedback related to several of these locations.
Included within the FY 2018/19 Adopted Capital Improvement Program Budget is the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Capital Improvement Project (Project) supported by gas tax funding for the study, design, and construction of improvements at seven uncontrolled crosswalk locations in the City as listed below:
1. Benton Street east of Sonoma Place
2. Pruneridge Avenue east of Redwood Avenue
3. Homestead Avenue at University Street west of Monastery Way
4. Homestead Road east of Viader Court
5. Washington Street north of Manchester Drive
6. Washington Street south of Linden Drive
7. Scott Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue
These locations were identified based on several criteria including adjacent land uses (i.e. proximity to schools, senior centers, or other major pedestrian generators) and roadway characteristics (i.e. posted speed limit, traffic volumes, and number of lanes in the roadway that the pedestrians have to cross).
The goal of the Project is to improve pedestrian safety at these seven locations by: 1) performing a traffic study to determine if additional improvements are necessary and 2) installing the necessary improvements. Some examples of improvements include enhanced crosswalk warning systems such as Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, also known as HAWKs (High-intensity Activated crossWalK), In-Pavement Warning Lights, roadway striping, median island refuges, All-Way Stop controls, and traffic signals.
DISCUSSION
Based on the scope of work, the City is in need of dedicated and specialized consulting services to assist with this Project. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional services was issued in May 2018 to solicit proposals from private consultants. The scope of services included data collection and crosswalk evaluation, preparing construction documents (plans, specifications, and estimates) for public works construction bidding, bidding support services, construction support, and preparation of as-built plans.
The RFP was sent to eighteen (18) qualified private consultants and posted on the Bids, RFPs and RFQs webpage of the City website. Three (3) proposals were received on May 30, 2018. Based on staff’s evaluation of the proposals, CSG Consultants, Inc. is recommended to provide the consulting services for the Project based on review and selection criteria including the quality of their proposal, project experience and experience of staff assigned to the project, ability to perform the work, and prior record of performance with the City and others.
As outlined above, as part of the approval of the FY 2018/19 Capital Improvement Program Budget, the Council approved the study, design and construction of improvements at seven uncontrolled crosswalk locations in the City including the location of Scott Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue. A separate traffic signal warrant study for the location of Scott Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue is currently being completed as requested by the adjacent community. Therefore, additional traffic study under this Project is no longer necessary. The location of Bellomy Street west of Alviso Street is recommended to be added to the study based on community and Santa Clara University interest.
If the Agreement is approved, staff will work with the consultant to complete the necessary traffic studies which will include a prioritized list of recommended improvements at these locations. Based on available budget, staff will determine if all of the recommended improvements should be included within the final project design and will return to City Council for approval of the construction contract for the Project. Staff projects that the study and design work is to be completed in the fall of 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This Agreement is for design professional services and the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15378 (c) as the action being considered does not commit the City to undertake the project and future discretionary approvals are required by the City to approve the project for construction. However, it is expected that the CEQA determination for this project will be a categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301(c) Existing Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed agreement is for a total not-to-exceed $160,250. This amount includes $145,500 for Basics Services, $200 for Reimbursable Expenses and $14,550 for Additional Services. Funding in the amount of $934,000 is available in the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Improvements Project (533-4433-1226).
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement for Design Professional Services with CSG Consultants, Inc., for the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Improvements project in the amount not-to-exceed $160,250;
2. Amend the Uncontrolled Crosswalks Improvements project scope to include a traffic study and improvements at Bellomy Street, west of Alviso Street instead of Scott Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications to the Agreement, if necessary.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement
2. Location Map