SR-506-003-01 (42)
EPWM: H:\Staff Reports In Process\10_11\Yale Street.doc
Council Meeting: October 11, 2005 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement for Design of the Yale Street
Improvement Project
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with RBF Consulting in an amount not to
exceed $90,000 plus a 10% contingency amount of $9,000 to provide engineering design
services for the Yale Street Improvement Project.
Background
In September 2003, residents of Yale Street, between Montana Avenue and Wilshire
Boulevard, held a community meeting to discuss with City staff the City?s intention to
remove existing trees to allow for the completion of pavement and sidewalk repairs. As a
result of the meeting, the City agreed to postpone scheduled repairs to meet with Yale
Street representatives to discuss improvement alternatives that would preserve more of the
existing street tree canopy and, if possible, also address some parking and traffic related
issues. After several meetings and the evaluation of several alternatives, Yale Street
representatives reported a preference for the parkway widening alternative.
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On September 27, 2004, the Civil Engineering & Architecture Division received a
completed petition from Yale Street property owners, verifying their interest in the proposed
street improvements and support for an assessment district. Following the receipt of the
completed petition, proceedings to form an assessment district were held and established
in accordance with Article XIIID of the California Constitution and Improvement Act of 1911.
On March 8, 2005, the City Council held a public hearing for the formation of an
assessment district on Yale Street. Following the public hearing, ballots were opened and
tabulated before the public by the Office of the City Clerk on March 9, 2005. Only ballots
received were counted and weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of
the assessed property. The election resulted in a majority favoring the assessment.
On March 22, 2005, after announcement of the certified election result, City Council
approved the formation of an assessment district on Yale Street, between Montana
Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, and adopted a resolution of intention to proceed with the
Yale Street Improvement Project.
Discussion
On June 6, 2005, the City issued a request for proposals from qualified design firms to
provide engineering design services for the Yale Street Improvement Project. Six
proposals were received and reviewed by a selection committee of staff from the Civil
Engineering and Architecture and Open Space Management divisions. Following review of
the proposals, three firms were short-listed and interviewed by the selection committee to
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determine the most qualified firm. Selection factors considered were technical competence
and past performance record, staffing capability, design strength of the project team,
approach to the work, quality control methodologies, ability to provide innovative and cost
effective design alternatives, and cost control and reporting methods. The selection
committee unanimously recommended RBF Consulting as the most qualified firm.
RBF Consulting?s past performance on projects for the City of Santa Monica, including
Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue Traffic Signal System Upgrades, has been
excellent. RBF Consulting also successfully completed similar street improvement projects
such as the Artesia Boulevard Improvement Project for the City of Torrance, the North Long
Beach Street Enhancement Program for the City of Long Beach, and the Apple Valley
Road Realignment and Widening for the Town of Apple Valley. City staff contacted the
reference agencies. All respondents reported that the consultant's work was completed in
a timely and cost-efficient manner while maintaining consistent quality.
Budget/Financial Impact
Agreement $90,000
Contingency (10%) $9,000
Total $99,000
Funds in the amount of $99,000 are available in account M010152.589000, ?Street
Repair/Resurfacing.?
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Recommendations
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with RBF Consulting in an amount not to
exceed $90,000 plus contingency funds of $9,000, to provide engineering design services
for the Yale Street Improvement Project.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Tony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Dave Britton, P.E, Principal Civil Engineer
Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director, Community and Cultural Services
Elaine Polachek, Open Space Manager, Community and Cultural Services
Allan Sheth, Civil Engineering Associate
Reference Contract No. 8517 (CCS).
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