REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Director Capital Projects Department SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: GARINE KENDOYAN, Engineer II Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve an agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group Inc., of Clovis, California, in the amount of $287,700, with an $80,000 contingency, for design and construction support services for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 (Council Districts 1, 3 and 7). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group Inc., of Clovis, California, in the amount of $287,700, with an $80,000 contingency, for design and construction support services for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 will continue the implementation of the Southern Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Strategy by designing a space that is inviting to pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will integrate features of complete streets and establish protected Class IV bikeways with raised median islands. This will be achieved through the implementation of a road diet, which will reduce Blackstone Avenue and Abby Street from three vehicle lanes in each direction to two. The subject consultant agreement in the amount of $287,700, with an $80,000 contingency, will facilitate the design and construction support services necessary to complete the project. The design phase of this project is funded by a grant through the Measure C Transit Oriented Development program. BACKGROUND The Southern Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Strategy is based on a community-driven process that led to the development of design concepts to improve the corridor. The Southern Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Strategy was adopted by Fresno City Council on May 2, 2019. This project will transform the segment of Blackstone Avenue from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 from automobile-oriented corridor to a human-scale, multimodal space that is comfortable for non-motorized users. The strategy incorporates innovative bicycle and pedestrian initiatives, such as a road diet on Blackstone Avenue and Abby Street to incorporate the complete streets elements and construct Class IV protected bikeways. Additionally, the project will build raised median islands, sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, elevated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus platforms, landscaping, and pedestrian scale lighting. This consultant agreement is funded by Measure C Transit Oriented Development program funding to prepare the design and enhance the city's competitiveness for future construction funding opportunities. In accordance with Administrative Order (A.O.) 6-19, staff sent out requests for Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) on January 29, 2024, via Planet Bids, email and published in the Business Journal. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised for four weeks, resulting in the receipt of two SOQs. Staff interviewed the two qualified consultants and Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group Inc. was determined to be the most qualified. Staff negotiated a fee of $287,700, with an $80,000 contingency, for the preparation of the plans, specifications, cost estimates, bidding support services and construction support services for this project. Staff requests that the City Council approve the agreement with Provost and Pritchard Consulting Group Inc. for $287,700, with an $80,000 contingency, for the design and construction support services for the Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the consultant agreement as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this action does not qualify as a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act, as it does not commit the City to definite course of action that will have an impact on the environment. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was implemented with the consultant selection process for this project. The Consultant selected for the project is a local firm. FISCAL IMPACT The Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Project from Pine Avenue to State Route 180 is located in Council Districts 1, 3 and 7. This Project will not impact the General Fund as it is funded by a Measure C Transit Oriented Development program grant. All funds necessary for the design consultant agreement are included in the current fiscal year budget as previously adopted by the Council. Attachments: Consultant Agreement Vicinity Map