title
APPROVE THE 2016 REVISION TO THE STANDARD PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CITY OF STOCKTON
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve the 2016 revision to the Standard Plans and Specifications for the City of Stockton.
It is further recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
body
Summary
On November 25, 2003, by Resolution No. 03-0707, Council adopted the Standard Plans and Specifications currently being used by the City. Standard Plans and Specifications provide design and construction criteria based on the most current engineering practices. They establish a standard that assures a degree of uniformity and structural soundness for all public works projects. These standards are used by architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and City staff in the design and construction of public works projects such as streets, sanitary sewers, storm drains, water systems, and subdivision development.
Periodic revisions to the Standard Plans and Specifications are essential to reflect changes in construction materials, procedures, regulatory standards, and City policies that affect the design and construction of public works projects. The last such revision was in 2003.
The proposed 2016 revisions are outlined in Attachment A. The City’s Standard Plans and Specifications are based heavily on the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Standard Specifications. Caltrans’ Specifications are recognized throughout the State in setting forth the requirements for public works construction. In addition, staff proposes to modify the outdated Standard Plans numbering system, which has been in place since the 1960s. Attachment B depicts the new numbering system. The proposed revisions were distributed to local interested companies and agencies and posted on the City’s website for public review and input on April 18, 2016. To date, minimal feedback has been received.
DISCUSSION
Background
Standard Plans and Specifications provide design and construction criteria based on the most current engineering practices. They establish a standard that assures a degree of uniformity and structural soundness for all public works projects. These standards are used by architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and City staff in the design and construction of public works projects such as streets, sanitary sewers, storm drains, water systems, and subdivisions development.
Periodic revisions to the Standard Plans and Specifications are essential to reflect changes in construction materials, procedures, regulatory standards, and City policies. The changes affect and modify the design and construction of public works projects. Throughout the City’s history, the Standard Plans and Specifications have been revised many times, and approved by Council in compliance with Section 830.6 of the California Government Code. The most recent revisions were approved by Council on November 25, 2003, by Resolution No. 03-0707.
Present Situation
As it has been almost 13 years since the last revision, there are several areas where corrections, clarifications, or additions are needed. A Standards Review Committee, comprised of representatives from Public Works, Municipal Utilities, Fire, and Community Development Departments, was established to examine each standard in depth to clarify, consolidate, and even eliminate unnecessary details. The resulting proposed 2016 revisions to the Standard Plans and Specifications for the City of Stockton were submitted to local contractors, engineers, developers, San Joaquin County, and the Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley for review on April 21, 2016. Technical comments were received from one consulting engineering firm, and from San Joaquin County staff. The comments were considered and incorporated in the revisions as appropriate. All proposed changes are outlined in Attachment A, which will be mailed to all holders of the Standard Plans and Specifications upon adoption by Council.
The City’s Standard Plans and Specifications are based heavily on the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Standard Specifications. Caltrans’ Specifications are recognized throughout the State in setting forth the requirements for public works construction. Caltrans updates their Standard plans and specifications approximately once every four years. The City of Stockton Standard specifications references Caltrans specification language or sites modifications or deletions as required. These revised City of Stockton Standard Specifications include Caltrans minor changes which are predominantly clerical in nature such as specification numbering changes and title changes. Similarly, minor changes recommended by the City Attorney’s office to align the specification with current risk insurance or contracting language has also been included. Staff anticipates that the next update process will incorporate more substantive changes to the specifications.
As part of this update to the City’s Standards, staff is also proposing to modify the outdated Standard Plans numbering system, which has been in place since the 1960s. Attachment B depicts the new numbering system.
The Appendices to the Standard Plans and Specifications, which consists of the Traffic Calming Guidelines, Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines, Pedestrian Safety and Crosswalk Installation Guidelines, and Street Design Guidelines, are not part of this revision. The Appendices, along with specification revisions that were not included in the current update due to resource limitations, will be reviewed and updated to the most current engineering practices as part of the next revision, which is expected to commence in the latter part of 2017.
Staff recommends the proposed revisions to the Standard Plans and Specifications be approved.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no financial impact to the City’s General Fund or to any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.
Attachment A - Proposed Changes
Attachment B - New Numbering System