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APPROVE MOTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE HSIP 10 - ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON MADISON STREET PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Award a Professional Services Contract to Bellecci & Associates, Inc. of Concord, CA, in the amount of $112,927.11, for design of the HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202).
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
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 motion.
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Summary
The HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street project will enhance pedestrian safety by reducing collisions between motorists and pedestrians/bicyclists along Madison Street between Willow Street and Flora Street (Attachment A). These enhancements include a combination of high-visibility crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps at multiple intersections along Madison Street. Additionally, red curbs will be applied near the right corner of all intersections (with the exception of West Acacia Street) to prohibit parking and enhance motorist-pedestrian visibility. The project was approved for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds and was included in the 2021-26 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On June 29, 2023, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design of the Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202). On August 9, 2023, two firms submitted proposals for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found Bellecci & Associates, Inc. of Concord, CA, to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $112,927.11 with Bellecci & Associates, Inc. It is anticipated that the final design documents will be completed by December 2024.
DISCUSSION
Background
HSIP is a federal-aid program administered by Caltrans and established to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects that become a priority based on strong identifiable collisions that could be reduced though safety counter measures.
Senate Bill 137 (Chapter 639 of the 2019 Statues), effective October 8, 2019, added Section 182.85 to the Streets and Highways Code that authorizes Caltrans to allow up to $100 million of federal local assistance funds to be exchanged for non-federal State Highway Account (SHA) funds. The city, county, or other eligible recipients receiving exchanged funding (federal to State) must use the funding on projects for purposes for which the federal local assistance funds were originally intended. As a result, Cycle 10 HSIP projects are State funded.
In October 2020, the City submitted nine grant applications to Caltrans for Cycle 10 of the HSIP grant program. One of the applications was for HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street.
The HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street project will enhance pedestrian safety by reducing collisions between motorists and pedestrians/bicyclists along Madison Street between Willow Street and Flora Street (Attachment A). Madison Street is a north-south major collector crossing central Stockton with higher collision rates compared to other north-south major collectors in the vicinity. This project will enhance safety by installing high-visibility crosswalks, rapid flashing beacons at Vine Street and Rose Street, and ADA compliant ramps at the intersections of Magnolia Street, Acacia Street, Poplar Street, and Flora Street. Additionally, red curbs will be applied near the right corner of all intersections (with the exception of West Acacia Street) to prohibit parking and enhance motorist-pedestrian visibility.
In March 2021, the HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202), was approved for HSIP funding in the amount of $644,940 for design and construction. This project is 90 percent State funded and requires a10 percent local match. The project was included in the 2021-26 Five-Year CIP.
Since this project is funded with SHA funds, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program rules do not apply.
Present Situation
On June 29, 2023, the City advertised an RFP for design of the HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202). On August 9, 2023, two proposals were received from the following firms:
• Bellecci & Associates, Inc. (Concord, CA)
• TJKM (Sacramento, 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, project approach, cost proposal, and local firm participation.
Bellecci & Associates, Inc. received the highest ranking, based on the noted criteria, and was determined to be the most qualified firm for this project. Staff negotiated a fee in the amount of $112,927.11 with Bellecci & Associates, Inc. for design services. The negotiated fee is approximately 18 percent of the estimated construction cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity. It is anticipated that the final design documents will be completed by December 2024.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $112,927.11 to Bellecci & Associates, Inc. for design services of the HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202) (Attachment B).
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 complete design documents 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
There is sufficient funding available in the HSIP 10 - Enhanced Pedestrian Safety on Madison Street, Project No. WT22044/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(202) to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $112,927.11 to Bellecci & Associates, 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 action.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Professional Services Contract with Bellecci & Associates, Inc.