REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL March 5, 2020 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department THROUGH: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Engineering Division BY: JIM POLSGROVE, Supervising Engineering Technician Public Works Department, Project Management Section SUBJECT ..Title Approve an agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for $192,338 with a $10,000 contingency for design and construction support services for the Ashlan Avenue Widening Project between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue (Council District 1) ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends approval of an agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for $192,338 with a $10,000 contingency for the design and construction support phases of the Ashlan Avenue Widening Project between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue and to allow the Public Works Director or designee to sign the agreement on the City's behalf. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Ashlan Avenue Complete Streets project will widen eastbound Ashlan Avenue between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue from one lane to two lanes, install sidewalk, Class II bike lanes and a raised median on eastbound Ashlan. It will also include new street lights, curb, gutter, curb ramps, power pole relocation, new signal loops and new storm drain inlet to be connected to existing facilities. The design phase of this project will be funded through New Growth Developer Impact Fees. Right-of-Way and construction phases are anticipated to be funded by Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding. The subject consultant agreement will facilitate the design and construction support services necessary to complete the project. BACKGROUND The City of Fresno Public Works Department has identified a need for the Ashlan Avenue Widening between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue. This Consultant Agreement is funded with New Growth Developer Impact Fees in order to get the design started and position the City to be more competitive for future funding opportunities. Consistent with Council's previous adoption of a resolution supporting pursuit of grant funding for the Ashlan Avenue project, the Department intends to pursue Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding for the right-of-way acquisition and construction phases for the eastbound widening of Ashlan Avenue between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue. Additional funding for the westbound widening of Ashlan Avenue between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue will be pursued with future grant opportunities and major street impact fee revenue from new growth. Existing conditions on Ashlan include one lane in each direction with a striped center divide which is unpaved. There are no bike lanes and limited sidewalks along eastbound Ashlan from Dante Avenue to 150-feet east of Dante, and from Cornelia Avenue to approximately 483-feet west of Cornelia. The intersection of Ashlan and Polk is an all way stop, but residential subdivisions have been conditioned with installing the traffic signal. Eastbound Ashlan widens to two lanes with a dedicated left turn pocket at the intersection of Ashlan and Cornelia. Single family homes on large lots line both sides of Ashlan along this 1/2 mile stretch. The Ashlan Avenue Complete Streets project will widen eastbound Ashlan Avenue from one lane to two lanes, install sidewalk, Class II bike lanes and a raised median on eastbound Ashlan. It will also include new street lights, curb, gutter, curb ramps, power pole relocation, new signal loops and new storm drain inlet to be connected to existing facilities. Due to the cost, the project has been split into two phases. Phase one will widen the eastbound or south side of the roadway and install the raised median. Phase two (future) will widen the westbound or north side of the roadway. A median island and asphalt curb will be installed between the westbound and eastbound lanes to provide a physical barrier and accommodate grade differentials until Phase two can be completed. This widening will require right-of-way acquisition from seven properties. In accordance with Administrative Order (A.O.) 6-19, staff sent out requests for Statements of Qualifications (SOQ's) in October of 2019 via Planet Bids, email and published in the Business Journal. Six SOQ's were received and staff interviewed the top three qualified respondents. Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. was selected as the most qualified consultant and staff negotiated a fee of $192,338 with a $10,000 contingency for the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, bidding support services and construction support services for the project. Staff is recommending the approval of the agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for $192,338 with a $10,000 contingency for the design of plans, cost estimates and general construction documents for the Ashlan Avenue Widening Project between Polk Avenue and Cornelia Avenue, 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 of Fresno. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, this item is not a project as defined by CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was implemented for the design phase of this project due it being funded through New Growth Developer Fees. The Consultant selected for this project is a local firm located in Fresno. FISCAL IMPACT The project is located in City of Fresno Council District 1. The design phase of this project will be funded through New Growth Developer Impact Fees and will not impact the General Fund. Right-of-Way and construction phases are anticipated to be funded by Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding. Appropriations for this agreement are included in the current fiscal year budget as previously adopted by City Council. Attachments: Vicinity Map Consultant Agreement