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SR-513-009 e .- -J City of Santa Monica@ City Council Report City Council Meeting: April 11 , 2006 Agenda Item: lc.. To: Mayor and City Council From: Craig Perkins, Director - Environmental and Public Works Management Approval of Professional Services Agreement for 20th Street & Cloverfield Boulevard Street Improvements Subject: Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Amphion Environmental, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $450,000 for the design of 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard Improvements; and 2. Authorize the City Engineer to issue any necessary modifications to complete additional work within budget authority. Executive Summary The project site is located in the Pico Neighborhood on 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard, between the Santa Monica Freeway (1-10) and Pico Boulevard. Both are heavily traveled streets within City boundaries. The project consists of improving pedestrian and vehicular accessibility by addressing safety, traffic, and aesthetic needs of these main arterials in the City. Streets, sidewalks, and street pedestrian lighting will be enhanced. As part of the project, staff will host a series of public meetings to present the project concept and solicit opinions, which will be reflected in the final recommended 1 design. The total budget impact for the professional services agreement should not exceed $450,000. Discussion Backqround In June 2001, consultants were retained for the purpose of preparing a feasibility study to improve 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard safety, accessibility, and aesthetics between the 1-10 and Pico Boulevard. Staff presented design alternatives to the various stakeholder departments including Santa Monica Police, Fire, Big Blue Bus, Planning and Community Development, Solid Waste Management and Electrical/Facilities Management Divisions of the Department of Environmental and Public Works Management. Their input was subsequently incorporated into the feasibility study. The feasibility study looked at approaches to street and pedestrian lights, street trees and landscaping, street pavement, sidewalks and extensions, crosswalks, and street furniture. At the conclusion of this process, the project became inactive due to a lack of funding for the next phase of community input and development of a schematic design. Once funding was identified for project construction and approved by Council in the FY 2005-2006 budget, staff proceeded with an RFP process to select a design consultant and move to the next phase. 2 Contractor/Consultant Selection A Request for Proposal (RFP) for design services was posted from June 23, 2005 to July 29, 2005 on the City's web site. The RFP packet was requested and issued to six firms; Lawrence R. Moss, Amphion, Rios & Associates, Ahbe, Melendrez, and Zimmer Gunzsul Frasca Partnership. Three proposals were then submitted from Lawrence R. Moss, Amphion, and Ahbe. A selection committee composed of staff from the Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Planning and Community Development Administration Divisions reviewed the proposals. All three firms were then invited to make individual presentations to the committee. The selection criteria included the firm's understanding of the project's scope, direct experience on similar projects, approach to the work, technical competence, qualifications of the proposed staff and the ability to meet the desired time frames. Based on all of the relevant rating factors described above, the selection committee recommended Amphion Environmental, Inc. Amphion Environmental, Inc., has extensive experience in managing complex streetscape projects for the public sector. The firm was the prime consultant for the Santa Monica Transit Mall Project and successfully completed its responsibility for community workshops, preparation of design alternatives, urban design, bid documents and construction observation. In addition, the firm is under contract with the City for the Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 Shelters Project, where the firm has developed prototype bus shelters that will be installed along Lincoln Boulevard. Furthermore, the firm has completed similar projects such as the Alameda County East 14th Street and Mission Boulevard Streetscape, and the Pablo Avenue Revitalization in Emeryville, California. 3 City staff contacted the reference agencies. All respondents reported that the firm's work was completed in a timely and cost-efficient manner while maintaining consistent quality. Public Outreach Staff will host a series of meetings with the public to present the project concept and solicit opinions. Community meetings and project design activities will occur over the next few months in order to finalize a recommended project design to be presented to City Council for final approval. Once a design is approved, it is anticipated that the project will commence in summer 2007. Public input will be reflected in the final recommended design. Budget/Financiallmpact The total cost of this professional services agreement is not to exceed $450,000. Funds in the amount of $450,000 are available in the following accounts: C170522.589000 C040522.589000 20th St. and Cloverfield Blvd. 20th St. and Cloverfield Blvd. $50,000 $400,000 Total Available $450,000 4 Prepared by: Spiros A. Lazaris, Civil Engineer Approved: 3- 2 7-O~ Craig Per ins Director Environmental and Public Works Management Department Forwarded to Council: 5