REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 11, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JOHN HONEY, PE, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Mark Thomas & Company Inc., for $584,859, with a $30,000 contingency, for design and construction support services associated with the MLK Center Active Transportation Project, also known as the Transformative Climate Communities Leverage Project, Southwest Offsite Improvements. (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement for professional engineering services with Mark Thomas & Company Inc. for $584,859, with a $30,000 contingency, for the design and construction support phases of the MLK Center Active Transportation Project and authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council recently approved a Development Agreement for the West Creek Village development and the State Center Community College District is in the process of opening a new campus in southwest Fresno. The boundaries of these proposed projects are Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Jensen Avenue, Walnut Avenue, and Church Avenue. The MLK Center Active Transportation Project will provide essential bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure around the campus including a Class I trail, Class II bike lanes, sidewalk, curb and gutter, traffic signal modifications, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps. The City was awarded a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program grant in 2017 to fund professional engineering and construction of these improvements. The Project will also utilize Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program (SB1) funds to construct pavement repairs, streetlights, and new drainage facilities associated with the new curb and gutter. The subject consultant agreement in the amount of $584,859, with a $30,000 contingency, will facilitate the design, community engagement, and construction support services necessary to complete the project.
BACKGROUND
In October of 2017, the City applied for and was awarded CMAQ grant funds for the design and construction phases of the MLK Active Transportation Project to construct Class I trails, Class II bike lanes, sidewalk, and curb and gutter. Class I trails will be built on the north side of East Jensen Avenue between South Knight Avenue and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and on the south side of East Church Avenue between South Walnut Avenue and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Class II bike lanes will be installed on East Jensen Avenue, East Church Avenue, West Walnut Avenue, and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Sidewalk and curb and gutter will occur on the east and west side of South Walnut Avenue and the west side of South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds will be applied for the design and construction phases of the project to construct pavement repair, streetlights, and new drainage facilities. Pavement repair will occur on East Church Avenue and East Jensen Avenue between South Walnut Avenue and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, on South Walnut Avenue between East Grove Avenue and East Church Avenue, and on South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between East Jensen Avenue and East Church Avenue. Streetlights and drainage facilities will be installed as necessary within the project area.
In accordance with Administrative Order 6-19, staff sent out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) via the City’s website and the Business Journal. The RFQ was advertised for four weeks. Eight Statement of Qualifications were received and staff interviewed three qualified respondents in July 2019. Mark Thomas & Company Inc., was determined to be the most qualified and submitted an acceptable proposal for the preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
Staff is recommending the Council approve the agreement with Mark Thomas & Company Inc., for $584,859, with a $30,000 contingency, for the design of plans, cost estimates, and general construction documents for the MLK Center Active Transportation Project and authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to sign and execute the contract, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, on behalf of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because of conditions of the Federal CMAQ Grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council District 3 and will not impact the General Fund. The costs of this consultant contract and associated administrative costs will be paid for by the Federal CMAQ grant funds and the allocated SB1 funds, as included in the current fiscal year adopted budget.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Consultant Agreement