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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE AND AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE LOWER SACRAMENTO ROAD WIDENING AND BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Appropriate funds in the amount of $1,000,000 from the Public Facilities Fees Regional Transportation Impact Fee Fund Balance to the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007.
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
3. Award a Professional Services Contract to Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $4,335,231.44, for professional engineering services for the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007.
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 Lower Sacramento Road corridor is a major north-south arterial that serves as a primary connection to Lodi, CA. In 2017, San Joaquin County completed the widening of Lower Sacramento Road from Pixley Slough north to Lodi. On August 20, 2024, City Council also approved an Underground Utility District for the project. Staff is now ready to start design and environmental work for the Lower Sacramento Widening and Bridge Replacements project. The project will widen the existing roadway from two lanes to four lanes. The limits of the project are between Royal Oaks Drive and Pixley Slough just north of Eight Mile Road (Attachment A). The project also includes the reconstruction of the bridges over Pixley Slough and Bear Creek, and the box culvert in Wine Draw Slough located just south of Eight Mile Road. The project was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On April 10, 2024, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preparation of a Precise Road Plan (PRP), environmental documents, and final design of the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007. On May 29, 2024, one firm submitted a proposal for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposal and found Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, to be qualified for this project.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution appropriating funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $4,335,231.44 with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for professional engineering services. It is anticipated that the PRP, environmental documents, and final design will be completed by winter 2027. The PRP and final design will be used to acquire State and/or federal funding for construction of the project.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Lower Sacramento Road corridor is a major north-south arterial that serves as a primary connection between Stockton and Lodi. Due to its regional significance, Lower Sacramento Road was included in the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) Measure K Strategic Plan for potential funding. In the early 2000s, Stockton completed the North Stockton Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Grade Separation Feasibility Study. This Study provided concept designs and estimates for the Eight Mile Road/UPRR overpasses, as well as the underpass and bridges located along Lower Sacramento Road between Royal Oaks Drive and Eight Mile Road. Funding was eventually obtained for the design and construction of the overpasses along Eight Mile Road and the underpass along Lower Sacramento Road, which were constructed in 2014.
The widening of Lower Sacramento Road crosses San Joaquin County and City jurisdictions. However, the City, San Joaquin County, and SJCOG mutually agreed many years ago that San Joaquin County would take the lead in widening Lower Sacramento Road north of Pixley Slough to Lodi, and the City of Stockton would take the lead on widening Lower Sacramento Road from Pixley Slough (including the Pixley Slough Bridge) south to Royal Oaks Drive.
The widening of Lower Sacramento Road south of Pixley Slough would be dependent on funding, land development, and/or traffic operational demands. City staff started researching funding opportunities to start the project design phase in early 2020. In September 2020, staff secured $4,000,000 in funding from the SJCOG Measure K program to be used for design and environmental work on the project. However, the project was put on hold due to overall workload volume.
On August 20, 2024, by Resolution No. 2024-08-20-1601, Council approved the establishment of an Underground Utility District along Lower Sacramento Road from Bear Creek to Pixley Slough. Staff will coordinate the undergrounding with Pacific Gas & Electric Company in coordination with the widening of Lower Sacramento Road.
Staff is now ready to start design and environmental work for the Lower Sacramento Widening and Bridge Replacements project. The project will widen the existing roadway from two lanes to four lanes. The limits of the project are between Royal Oaks Drive and Pixley Slough just north of Eight Mile Road (Attachment A). The project also includes the reconstruction of the bridges over Pixley Slough and Bear Creek, and the box culvert in Winedraw Slough located just south of Eight Mile Road. The project was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year CIP.
Present Situation
On April 10, 2024, the City advertised an RFP for preparation of a PRP, environmental documents, and final design of the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007. On May 29, 2024, one proposal was received from Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. of Sacramento, CA.
The Selection Committee evaluated the proposal based on the firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of projects, staff qualifications, technical ability, presentation/interview performance, project approach, cost proposal, and local preference. Staff determined Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. to be qualified for this project. Staff negotiated a fee of $4,335,231.44 with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for professional engineering services. This is a reasonable fee for a project of this size and complexity.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution appropriating funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract to Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. in the amount of $4,335,231.44 for professional engineering services for the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007.
The City was originally meant to take the lead and fund the project including the Pixley Slough Bridge, even though it is located in San Joaquin County. This was the understanding when it was expected that the City would develop north of Eight Mile Road. Circumstances have changed over the years, and the City’s sphere of influence no longer extends north of Eight Mile Road. Therefore, City staff have reached out to County staff to revisit the previous arrangement and seek fair share funding for project elements within County jurisdiction. This may result in City staff returning to Council for approval of a City/San Joaquin County Agreement for their proportionate share of the cost for the planning, design, and construction phases of the project. It is anticipated that the PRP, environmental documents, and final design will be completed by winter 2027. The PRP and final design will be used to acquire State and/or federal funding for construction of the project.
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 PRP, environmental documents, and final design for this project.
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 funds in the amount of $1,000,000 from the Public Facilities Fees Regional Transportation Impact Fee Fund Balance to the Lower Sacramento Road Widening and Bridge Replacements, Project No. WT19007, there will be sufficient funding to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $4,335,231.44 to Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for the project.
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