REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL December 17, 2015 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division BY: RANDALL MORRISON, PE, Deputy City Engineer Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve a Utility Agreement (No. 06-1398.15) with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for Caltrans to relocate City water and sewer utilities associated with the State Route 99 Relocation Project and to reimburse City staff in the amount of $112,500.00 for wet tie connections to the City water system (Council Districts 1 and 3). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve a Utility Agreement (No. 06-1398.15) with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in substantially the form attached and presented, for Caltrans to relocate City water and sewer utilities associated with the State Route 99 Relocation Project and to reimburse City staff in the amount of $112,500.00 for wet tie connections to the City water system and authorize the Public Works Director or his designee to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Caltrans is developing project documents to relocate a section of State Route 99, between Clinton Avenue and Ashlan Avenue in order to make room for the future High Speed Rail Project. Through the engineering design process, Caltrans has identified several City utilities that are in conflict with the proposed improvements and will need to be relocated with the City streets. The newly constructed water main facilities will require City staff to perform wet tie connections in order to put the new facilities into service. City staff and Caltrans have come to an agreement for Caltrans to reimburse the City for all wet tie connection costs for this work. BACKGROUND Caltrans, as part of their long-term plans which have been accelerated because of the future High Speed Rail Project, is developing construction documents to relocate a section of State Route 99, between Clinton Avenue and Ashlan Avenue. The State Route 99 Relocation Project consists of reconstruction of the Clinton Avenue interchange and the Ashlan Avenue overhead structure, closure of three partial interchanges at Dakota, Shields and Princeton; and realignment of local and frontage roads. These interchange modifications were previously approved by the Council through an amended freeway agreement between Caltrans and the City of Fresno. The new Clinton Avenue interchange will be a modern, high-capacity interchange which can handle existing and future traffic as well as the traffic from the soon to be closed ramps at Dakota, Shields and Princeton Avenue. Through the project development process Caltrans has identified several City utilities that are in conflict with the proposed improvements and will need to be relocated along with the City streets. The City's existing sewer and water mains within the project limits be replaced with new infrastructure. City staff will perform all wet tie connections before the new water facilities are put into service. On December 18, 2014 Council approved Caltrans Utility Agreement No. 06-1398.011 for the City to get reimbursed for design and inspection costs associated with the relocation work, Caltrans has provided the attached utility agreement. The City of Fresno Design Services Section developed the utility relocation plans per City standards for Caltrans to use in construction. The Utility Agreement will be reviewed by the City Attorney's Office. The recommended action authorizes the Public Works Director or his designee to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney's Office. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS The utility relocation work for this agreement falls under the environmental clearance of the Caltrans project to relocate State Route 99. No environmental findings are required for this agreement. LOCAL PREFERENCE Not applicable because this is not a competitive bid award. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no impact to the General Fund or any City operating funds associated with the recommended action. The City of Fresno will be reimbursed by Caltrans for all costs associated with the wet tie connections to the City's water system. There are sufficient appropriations in the current year budget to support this agreement. Attachment: Caltrans Utility Agreement No. 06-1398.15