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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. NOE56-23 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008.
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008.
3. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $388,020 to Dirt Dynasty, Inc. of Farmington, CA, for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008.
It is 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 Neighborhood Traffic Management Program provides a process for installation of traffic calming measures to slow traffic on neighborhood streets. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008, was bid as an annual unit price contract. Award of the contract is based on the bid price for an estimated number of speed humps/cushions/tables and striping. The contractor is paid for the actual work completed. The project scope includes eight neighborhoods.
On August 10, 2023, the City received four bids for this project. Staff recommends that Council award a Construction Contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Dirt Dynasty, Inc., in the amount of $388,020. Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption NOE56-23 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approving the plans and specifications for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2024 and be completed by fall 2024.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City Standard Plans and Specifications include guidelines for installation of traffic calming measures that are used in the implementation of the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program divides the City into four quadrants. The program goal is to complete 16 neighborhoods per year (two to four neighborhoods in each quadrant). The program is funded from the maintenance portion of the Measure K half-cent sales tax program.
The program’s goal is to improve safety and the quality of life for neighborhood residents by reducing the impacts from speeding vehicles and, to a lesser extent, cut-through traffic. The program is a community-based program that allows residents to participate in addressing their neighborhood traffic concerns through traffic calming techniques. Upon receipt of their application, neighborhoods of concern are added on a chronological basis to the waiting list for the appropriate City quadrant. The program is very popular and presently has a waiting list of 84 neighborhoods. Based on current funding, neighborhoods applying today could anticipate installation of neighborhood traffic calming devices within seven to eight years.
The traffic calming guidelines approved in 2003 did not include speed humps or other “vertical measures” (Attachment A - Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Information Sheet). However, in 2006, Council approved revised Traffic Calming Guidelines to include speed humps and other vertical measures. In 2008, Council approved new processes designed to expedite the time it takes neighborhoods to go through the process (Attachment B - Revised Traffic Calming Process). As a result of these changes, neighborhoods have the option to choose to participate in either the expedited “Speed Hump Program” or the “Full Program”.
Neighborhoods selecting the expedited “Speed Hump Program” choose from a limited range of traffic calming measures, including speed humps, speed cushions, speed tables, signs, and pavement markings. Analysis and design of these measures is relatively straightforward, and it typically takes three months for neighborhoods selecting this program to progress from their kick-off meeting to completion of a ballot process, which determines support for their proposed traffic calming project.
Neighborhoods choosing the “Full Program” choose from the full range of traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, traffic circles, pedestrian islands, diversions, and road closures. Due to the complexity and impact of many of these measures, the Full Program takes more time to develop and must go through a project-specific design and bid process. If the proposed traffic calming plan includes measures that divert traffic, such as a road closure, a public hearing is also required.
Both programs require extensive staff resources to administer the program process and funding. Prior to the initial neighborhood meeting, staff reviews collision reports and field conditions, conducts speed studies, sends invite letters after arranging for a meeting place, and prepares the presentation and handout material.
Whether the neighborhood chooses the Speed Hump Program or the Full Program, staff must meet a minimum of two times with the local residents who volunteer to be on the Traffic Calming Committee. Staff works with these residents to develop the traffic calming plan for their neighborhood. This plan must be field verified by staff and approved by residents living closest to the proposed devices with the assistance of the Traffic Calming Committee before the entire neighborhood can vote on the plan. Staff prepares the ballots, mails the packages to residents, followed by a one-month period in which votes are accepted. Approval of the traffic calming plan is by simple majority with votes accepted from citizens residing on the property (owner or tenant).
Due to current staffing levels, a total of eight neighborhoods are included for construction in 2024. Locations of the neighborhoods to be constructed are shown in Attachment C. With the completion of these eight neighborhoods, a total of 185 neighborhood applications for traffic calming will have been processed since the program began.
On July 26, 2016, Council adopted a Community Workforce and Training Agreement (CWTA). The CWTA became effective August 25, 2016, and applies to all Public Works projects over $1 million that are bid after that date. On July 16, 2019, by Motion No. 2019-07-16-1403, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2024.The CWTA was not applied to this project because the engineer’s estimate was less than $1 million.
Present Situation
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008, will install approximately 15 traffic calming measures in each of the eight neighborhoods consisting of speed humps/cushions/tables and striping.
On July 28, 2023, the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008, was advertised for bids. On August 10, 2023, four bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT ADJUSTED BID AMOUNT
(local preference applied)
Dirt Dynasty, Inc. $388,020.00 $380,259.60
(Farmington, CA)
Consolidated Engineering, Inc. $426,850.00 $426,850.00
(Valley Springs, CA)
Robert Burns Construction, Inc. $468,285.95 $444,871.65
(Stockton, CA)
B & M Builders, Inc. $503,047.00 $503,047.00
(Rancho Cordova, CA)
Engineer’s Estimate $396,285.00
The requirements of Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.090, Local Business Preference, apply to this project. Robert Burns Construction, Inc. is located within the City of Stockton and is entitled to a five percent bid preference. Dirt Dynasty, Inc. is located within San Joaquin County and is entitled to a two percent bid preference. Application of the Local Business Preference has no effect on the bid order. The Local Employment Ordinance, SMC section 3.68.095, also applies to this contract.
The bid from Dirt Dynasty, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, is regular in all respects and has the proper license to perform the work. The bid is approximately 2.1 percent lower than the Engineer’s Estimate. Staff recommends Council approve the plans and specifications for the project and award a Construction Contract to Dirt Dynasty, Inc. of Farmington, CA, in the amount of $388,020.
The project is in conformance with the City’s General Plan, pursuant to California Government Code section 65402, and is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15301(c) of the CEQA guidelines. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE56-23 under CEQA.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2024 and be completed by fall 2024.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is sufficient funding available in the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Project No. WT16008, to award a Construction Contract to Dirt Dynasty, Inc. in the amount of $388,020.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.
Attachment A - Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Information Sheet
Attachment B - Traffic Calming Process
Attachment C - Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Locations