Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the City Manager to enter a contract with 4Creeks for RFP 21-22-27 to prepare professional consulting services for the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project in the amount not to exceed $1,269,306, authorize an additional appropriation of $650,000 from Measure R Trails (132) Fund, and authorize an amendment to the Measure R Supplement Agreement. (Project Number 3010-72000/CP8130-999)
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Deadline for Action: None
Submitting Department: Administration - CIP Engineering
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Diego Corvera, Civil Engineer, diego.corvera@visalia.city, 713-4209
Frank Senteno, City Engineer, frank.senteno@visalia.city, 713-4331
Nick Mascia, Assistant City Manager, nick.mascia@visalia.city, 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council: 1). Authorize the City Manager to award the design contract to 4Creeks in the amount not to exceed $1,269,306 to prepare Plans, Specifications, Estimates and to provide right-of-way (ROW) services for the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project; 2). Authorize an additional appropriation of $650,000 from the Measure R Trail (132) fund; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Measure R Supplement Agreement with TCAG to increase the Measure R Trail funds allocated to the preliminary engineering phase.
Summary:
The City is requesting the services of a professional consultant to prepare Plans, Specifications, & Estimates (PS&E), and right of way services for the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project. This is the largest trail project the City has undertaken to date, it is a 6 mile stretch of trail between Camp Drive adjacent the unincorporated community of Goshen and Giddings Street just west of downtown Visalia. The size of this project is a driving factor in the associated design costs.
The project will require the installation of curb & gutter, reconstruction of the existing asphalt multi-use trail, intersection curb return improvements, pedestrian signal modifications, trail lighting, bench installation and landscaping along the entire stretch of the trail.
The Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project was submitted during the Cycle 5 of the Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant opportunity to acquire construction funding. The project received a score of 90 and just missed the cut off for funding which was a 92. Based on feedback from the granting agency staff was highly encouraged to reapply and proceed with the design of the project as there was significant confidence in the project being successful during cycle 6.
Staff is requesting a not to exceed amount of $1,269,306. This not to exceed amount includes the following optional or fixed-fee tasks:
Optional Task 1: Environmental Technical Studies ($22,425)
Optional Task 2: Subsurface Exploration ($84,433)
Fixed-Fee (Profit) + Actual Cost: Right of Way Services ($60,490)
Optional Task 3: third party railroad consultant assistance ($35,400)
Optional Task 4: Topographic Survey - ROW descriptions and Title reports ($52,360)
Optional Task 5: Architectural Landscape Feature ($11,489)
Optional Task 6: Bidding Service Assistance ($1,400)
Optional Task 7: Construction Assistance & As-builts ($44,403)
Total Optional Tasks amount: $312,400
Optional task 1 is not anticipated to be required for this project. However, if additional environmental documents are required during the course of design and/or construction, the City will have the ability to utilize this service if required.
Optional Task 2 will be necessary, but the final dollar amount is to be determined and is identified as optional to pay the actual cost for the work.
Right of way services is necessary but it is to be determined if ROW acquisition will be necessary or if we will proceed with easements or agreements.
Optional Task 3 is not anticipated to be needed unless there requires an accelerated schedule in railroad coordination efforts.
Optional Task 4 will likely be required as the City does not currently have a licensed land surveyor, but to what degree is still to be determined as we progress through design and ROW. (The City is currently recruiting to fill the recently vacated surveyor position).
Optional Task 5 as part of improving this trail there is an interest to incorporate artistic features to embody our community values and interests. The extent of this effort is still to be determined so it is marked as an optional task.
Optional Task 6 bidding services assistance maybe necessary depending on questions received during the bidding process.
Optional Task 7 construction assistance maybe necessary depending on what is encountered during construction. Potential design revisions or solutions can be requested during construction with this optional task.
Staff will procure Construction Management services at a later date.
Bidding Process:
The City of Visalia received two (2) proposals in response to the advertised Request for Proposals for RFP 21-22-27, Professional Design Services for the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project on March 1st , 2022. Proposals were received from the following Consultants:
No. Consultant Location
1. 4Creeks Visalia, CA
2. Sherwood Design Engineers Santa Cruz, CA
A selection committee was formed to review and evaluate each Consultant’s proposal. Proposals were scored to determine the most qualified firm. The results of the panel scoring were used to establish a ranking among the firms.
As stated in the RFP, the City would award the contract to the most qualified firm based on the proposals submitted. Using the rankings, the City selected the following consultant listed below:
1. 4Creeks Visalia, CA
Staff has worked with this company on previous trail related projects and they meet the requirements presented in RFP 21-22-27 to perform the design services requested. Staff recommends that 4Creeks be awarded the design services contract.
Background:
The Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project (Goshen-Visalia Corridor Improvements project) has an total estimated cost of $12 million, this includes construction contingency, and all soft costs associated with the delivery of the project. The project area covers six miles of trail along Goshen Avenue from Camp Drive to Giddings Avenue. This project will replace and/or rehabilitate an existing 8’ wide deteriorated asphalt trail and elevate segments of the trail to prevent future flooding. As-built records indicate the existing trail between Akers and Giddings was constructed approximately in 1996 and the segment between Miller Park Court to Akers in 1998. Both segments were capital projects constructed by the City. The trail in its current state is lacking amenities, uninviting, lacks lighting or safety features and is not easily recognizable given its barren status, but the trail has enormous potential.
The trail is exceptional in its location and construction as it connects the community of Goshen and the Industrial Park to Downtown Visalia with minimal interruptions. The trail traverses new and old residential development from low to high density zoning, as well as commercial, industrial, office and downtown mixed-use zoning. Through the trail’s expanse it truly has extraordinary potential for the community to use the trail for commuting, errands, shopping trips, and recreation.
This project will incorporate heavy landscaping to create a tree canopy for trail users, safety fencing separating the railroad from the trail and intersection treatments to improve the safety and conspicuity of the crossing points. Curb return treatments will be constructed to reduce the crossing distance for trail users while also accommodating other modes of transportation.
The following rendering shows the use of green paint and modified curb returns which make the Goshen Trail and this portion of Goshen Avenue a true multi modal transportation corridor that is designed for all modes of travel.
Rendering of Akers Street and Goshen Avenue
The proposed project was made in consideration of the City of Visalia’s Active Transportation Plan that was previously adopted by Council on March 3, 2017. The City of Visalia entered into an agreement in March 2016 with consultant Quad Knopf to prepare the City’s Active Transportation Plan. The City of Visalia Active Transportation Plan was created to identify projects that will increase non-motorized forms of transportation within the Community and improve the City’s opportunities of obtaining competitive State and Federal funding such as the ATP funds. The Plan complies with all federal and state requirements to obtain future transportation funding. Extensive public outreach was conducted prior to the adoption of the plan to identify public needs and preferences. The resulting plan identified 135 projects which included a total of 102 bikeway improvement projects and 33 pedestrian projects. The Plan also recommends programs to improve bicycle and pedestrian usage and increase bicycle and pedestrian safety.
ATP Grant Application
Staff last submitted the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project for consideration during the ATP’s Cycle 5 Call for Projects. Staff had also previously submitted an application to fund improvements along the Goshen Trail during Cycle 4. However, staff was not successful in receiving an award of funds. During the Summer of 2019, staff from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) performed a site visit of various project sites for potential funding of ATP funds. The purpose of their visit was to provide feedback and advice to agencies in Tulare County on how to improve grant applications to the ATP. One of the project sites visited by CTC staff was the Goshen Trail. City staff received favorable comments from the CTC staff in applying for funds from the ATP program to improve the Goshen Trail. Some of the feedback received was that the project is a good candidate project for the ATP program in consideration of the broad range of users the trail would benefit. The trail provides a connection for residents to access important destinations including local shopping centers, employment, transit and several public schools.
Ahead of ATP Cycle 6’s call for applications, CTC staff met virtually with City Staff in February 2022 for further support the Goshen Trail Reconstruction application stating that it barely missed the award threshold. With minor adjustments and further outreach they anticipate the project to be successful in cycle 6.
The Goshen Trail project is consistent in meeting the purpose and goals of the ATP program that include the following:
• Increase the proportion of biking and walking trips;
• Increase the safety and mobility of non-motorized users;
• Advance the active transportation efforts to regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals as established pursuant to Senate Bill 375 and Senate Bill 391;
• Enhance public health, including the reduction of childhood obesity through the use of programs including, but not limited to, projects eligible for Safe Routes to School Program funding;
• Ensure disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program (25% of program);
• Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users.
The ATP funding applications for Cycle 6 are due June 15, 2022. The project scope and cost estimate is still being reworked and may result in refinements as necessary to the final cost estimate submitted. The final cost estimate is not expected to fluctuate too far from the $12 million estimate. This project would leverage up to 20% ($2.4M) of Measure R Trail funds to increase grant scoring. Funds utilized towards the design phase would make up part of the matching funds contribution amount. If the grant is awarded, funds needed in addition to the grant award amount to complete the total funding needed for the project will be requested from Measure R Trails. Staff will return to Council at a future date to request authorization to submit ATP funding applications for Cycle 6 and will further discuss the total project cost and proposed amount of matching funds for the total cost of the project.
At this time, staff recommends additional funds be appropriated from the Measure R Trail (132) Fund needed to complete the design phase.
Fiscal Impact:
The design and ROW phase of this project is funded by Measure R Trails approved by voters and administered and programmed for funding by Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG).
See below the following summary of the current budget for the design and right of way phase of the project using Measure R Trails:
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Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project - Design & ROW Phase (CP8130) |
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Design Funding Source |
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Measure R Trails (132) |
$1,011,630 |
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Total Project Funding |
$1,011,630 |
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Goshen Trail Reconstruction Design Budget |
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Design Consultant - 4Creeks (Base) |
$956,906 |
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Optional or Fix-fee Tasks |
$312,400 |
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Staff time Estimate (Project Management) |
$100,000 |
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Design Survey (City Staff) |
$135,000 |
|
Survey Drawing Processing (City Staff) |
$50,000 |
|
Project Contingency (10% of base) |
$100,000 |
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Total Design Cost |
$1,654,306 |
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|
|
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Project Budget (Fund 132) |
$1,011,630 |
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Budget deficit |
($642,676) |
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|
|
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Proposed Appropriations |
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Measure R Trails (132) Appropriation |
$650,000 |
Staff recommends additional Measure R Trail (132) funds in the amount of $650,000 be appropriated to the Goshen Trail Reconstruction Project. This will bring the project budget up to a total amount of $1,661,630 The initial Measure R Supplement Agreement for this project was executed back in January of 2012. The agreement included an estimate for the design phase in the amount of $390,000. An amendment to the agreement is necessary to update the cost estimate for the design phase to allow up to a total of $1,661,630 to be utilized towards design. Council approval is required to amend the agreement.
The Measure R Expenditure Plan identifies a total of $3 million is available for the Goshen Trail Project. The Measure R Supplemental agreement officially secures those funds towards the project and the associated phases (design and Construction). Staff requests of the $3 million, $1,661,630 be secured towards the design phase. This will leave a balance of approximately $1.3M available for the construction phase.
Contingent upon receiving award of ATP grant funds, staff will return to Council to identify additional Measure R Trail funds needed to complete construction.
Prior Council Action:
August, 17 2020
Authorized City Manager to submit a funding application for the 2021 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 5 to Caltrans and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG)
Alternatives:
None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the award and authorize the City Manager to enter into contract with 4Creeks in the amount not to exceed $1,269,306 for the design of the Goshen Trail Reconstruction project, authorize the appropriation of $650,000.00 from the Measure R Trails Fund and authorize the City Mmanager to execute the amendment to the Measure R Supplemental agreement.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
To be completed during the design phase
CEQA Review:
To be completed during the design phase
Attachments:
1. Ownership Disclosure Form
2. Location Map and Concept Design
3. Existing Conditions
4. Revised Measure R Supplement Agreement