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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS, AUTHORIZE THE CITY-COUNTY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, AND AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE ALPINE PERSHING MENDOCINO BICYCLE-PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appropriate the Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 State funds in the amount of $389,000 to the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205).
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
3. Authorize the City Manager to sign the City-County Cooperative Agreement in the amount of $58,450 for the County portion of the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205).
4. Award a Professional Services Contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA, in the amount of $337,935.51 for the Project Approval & Environmental Documentation for the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205).
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205), has received Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding. The project will install pedestrian safety improvements together with Class II buffered bicycle lanes on Alpine Avenue from Ryde Avenue to Pershing Avenue, and a Class IV two-way cycle track from Pershing Avenue to Mendocino Avenue and Kensington Way. The project is located along Alpine Avenue between Ryde Avenue and Pershing Avenue, Pershing Avenue between Alpine Avenue and Mendocino Avenue, and Mendocino Avenue between Pershing Avenue and Kensington Way (Attachment A - Vicinity Map). The project is within the City and San Joaquin County (County) jurisdictions. The County’s share of the local match for the project is seven percent based on the project’s associated improvements within the County’s jurisdiction.
On September 27, 2023, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preparation of the Project Approval & Environmental Documentation (PA&ED) for the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205). On November 29, 2023, three firms submitted proposals for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found HDR Engineering, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA, to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm to perform the work on this project.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution appropriating funds, authorizing the City Manager to sign the City-County Cooperative Agreement, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $337,935.51 to HDR Engineering, Inc. for PA&ED services.
DISCUSSION
Background
The ATP is a State grant program created in 2013 by Senate Bill 99 and Assembly Bill 101. This program encourages increased use of active modes of transportation, such as bicycling and walking. The ATP program has both Statewide and Regional competitive levels of funding. Statewide competitive funds are administered by Caltrans, while San Joaquin Council of Governments administers the Regional competitive funds. ATP projects go through the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for project programing, funding allocation, and extension approvals.
In March 2022, Caltrans announced a call for projects for the 2023 ATP Cycle 6. In June 2022, the City submitted six grant applications to Caltrans for Cycle 6 of the ATP grant program. One of the applications submitted was a City-County joint project. The project was the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205). This project is located along Alpine Avenue between Ryde Avenue and Pershing Avenue, Pershing Avenue between Alpine Avenue and Mendocino Avenue, and Mendocino Avenue between Pershing Avenue and Kensington Way. The project is within the City and County jurisdictions.
No bicycle facilities currently exist on any of the roadways that are part of this project. Alpine Avenue and Mendocino Avenue currently provide, in general, two travel lanes in each direction with on-street parking. While sidewalks are provided throughout the corridor, restriping and/or reconfiguring the street corridors is needed to safely provide for bicycling and walking in addition to providing for vehicle travel. Project improvements consist of installation of Class II buffered bicycle lanes on Alpine Avenue from Ryde Avenue to Pershing Avenue, and a Class IV two-way cycle track from Pershing Avenue to Mendocino Avenue and Kensington Way. Substantial safety improvements will be made for both bicyclists and pedestrians at intersections, including the redesign of the intersection at Alpine Avenue and Pershing Avenue, the removal of channelized turn lanes at Alpine Avenue/Pershing Avenue, Pershing Avenue/Mendocino Avenue, and Mendocino Avenue/Kensington Way. In addition, multiple crossing enhancements, which will consist of high visibility crosswalk markings, Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon, a pedestrian crosswalk refuge, and a new traffic signal at Pershing Avenue and Mendocino Avenue will be installed as part of the project.
In December 2022, the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205), was approved by the CTC for 2023 ATP Cycle 6 State funding for PA&ED, plans, specifications, and estimates, right of way, and construction. The project was awarded $7,403,000 in State ATP funds and $835,000 local funds was leveraged as a match. The County will be responsible for their proportionate share of the required local funds for improvements within their jurisdiction.
Staff had prepared and submitted a funding allocation request to Caltrans in June 2023 to be on the August 2023 CTC meeting agenda. In August 2023, CTC approved the funding allocation for the PA&ED phase. Since this project is funded with State ATP funds, the National Environmental Policy Act and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program rules do not apply.
Present Situation
On September 27, 2023, the City advertised an RFP for PA&ED for the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205). On November 29, 2023, three proposals were received from the following engineering firms:
• HDR Engineering, Inc. (Walnut Creek, CA)
• Mark Thomas and Company, Inc. (Sacramento, CA)
• Siegfried Engineering, Inc. (Stockton, CA)
The Selection Committee evaluated and ranked all proposals based on each firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of work, staff qualifications, technical ability, project approach, and familiarity with state and federal procedures. HDR Engineering, Inc. was found to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm to perform the work on this project.
Staff negotiated a base fee of $337,935.51 with HDR Engineering, Inc. This fee is approximately four percent of the total project cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity. It is anticipated that the PA&ED will be completed by spring 2025. Once the PA&ED is completed, CTC approval is needed to start final design and advertise the project in the future. The overall project completion is expected to be in summer 2028.
Since this is a collaborative joint project with the County, City staff coordinated the design scope and proportionate share of the project with the County. City and County staff mutually agreed that the County’s share of the local match will be seven percent based on the project’s associated improvements within the County’s jurisdiction. The proportionate share and agencies’ roles were integrated into a Cooperative Agreement for the project.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution appropriating funds, authorizing the City Manager to sign the City-County Cooperative Agreement, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $337,935.51 to HDR Engineering, Inc. for PA&ED services.
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The City does not have sufficient staff available to prepare the environmental documents.
2. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Professional Services Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of the criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
3. The City negotiated a contract following solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
Financial Summary
With the appropriation of ATP Cycle 6 State funds and the City-County Cooperative Agreement, there are sufficient funds available in the Alpine Pershing Mendocino Bicycle-Pedestrian Connectivity, Project No. WT24037/ATPSB1L-5008(205), to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $337,935.51 to HDR Engineering, Inc.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map