SR-303-009 (10)
EPWM: CP: AA: SL: DB \H:\Don\Staff Reports In Process\4_26\cc1847-Design.doc
Council Meeting: April 26, 2005 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
Chairperson and Redevelopment Agency
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement with URS Corporation for the Santa
Monica Palisades Bluff Improvement Project and First Amendment to
Reimbursement Agreement between the City and the Redevelopment
Agency for the Santa Monica Palisades Bluff Project
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency authorize
the City Manager and the Executive Director, respectively, to negotiate and execute a
professional services agreement with URS Corporation in an amount not to exceed
$825,000 and authorize $82,500 in contingency, to provide plans, specifications, cost
estimates and construction observation for the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs
Improvement Project. It is further recommended that the City Council and the
Redevelopment Agency authorize the City Manager and the Executive Director,
respectively, to execute the first amendment to the Reimbursement Agreement between
the City and the Redevelopment Agency for the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs
Improvement Project.
Background
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In 1998, Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century. One of
the high priority projects approved under that Act was the Santa Monica Palisades Bluff
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Improvement Project. The federal funding authorized for the construction of the project
is $5,600,000.
On February 12, 2002, the City Council approved a professional services agreement
with URS Corporation to provide a geotechnical study for the Santa Monica Palisades
Bluff Improvement Project. The geotechnical study evaluated the current conditions of
the soils within the existing bluff area and provided recommendations to mitigate
existing damage and potential future deterioration of the bluffs.
On April 27, 2004, the geotechnical study was completed and presented to the City
Council. The City Council approved and expressed support for the mitigation strategies,
termed the Project as an "…investment in a signature part of our city…”, and authorized
staff to proceed with the selection process for design and return to the City Council for
contract award.
Discussion
On October 20, 2004, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Design Services was issued to
five consulting firms to provide plans, specifications, cost estimates and construction
observation (once construction begins) for the Santa Monica Palisades Bluff
Improvement Project. On November 18, 2004, two proposals were received. A
selection committee consisting of staff from Environmental and Public Works
Management, Community and Cultural Services, Resource Management and the City
Manager’s Office reviewed the proposals. The selection criteria included the firm’s
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understanding of the Project’s scope, direct experience on similar projects and
approach to work, technical competence and qualifications of the proposed staff and the
ability to meet the desired time frames. Based on all of the relevant rating factors, the
selection committee recommends URS Corporation.
The firm has extensive experience in managing complex geotechnical projects for the
public sector. Dames and Moore (a subsidiary of URS Corporation) conducted a
geotechnical investigation of the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs to assess damage in
the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In 1995, Dames and Moore conducted
field reconnaissance and developed a map of the bluff rim after heavy storms. In 1998,
the URS Corporation provided geotechnical recommendations for mitigation of a
localized bluff failure near the California Incline following El Niño rains. URS Corporation
also performed extensive geotechnical analysis and design for tunnels at the Stone
Canyon project located in the Santa Monica Mountains for the City of Los Angeles-
Department of Water and Power. In the City of Monterey Park, the firm has completed a
number of geotechnical investigations for hillside single-family dwellings. References
contacted indicate that they have performed satisfactorily. URS Cooperation has
submitted a cost proposal in the amount of $825,000 that is fair, reasonable and
competitive for the work scope that was outlined in the RFP.
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The following is the proposed schedule for the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs
Improvement Project:
Design contract award April 2005
EIR/ EA scheduled before Council March 2006
Design completed - including all January 2007
Boards and Commission approvals
Award of construction contract April 2007
Start construction May 2007
Completion of construction November 2007
Budget / Financial Impact
FUNDS REQUIRED:
Contract $825,000
Contingency $ 82,500
Total Required $907,500
Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment funds in the amount of $907,500 are available in
account C170685.589000, “Palisades Bluff Project.” The total project cost, including
construction, is estimated at $10 million and will be fully funded by federal grants and
redevelopment funds.
The City’s General Fund will advance project funds to the Redevelopment Agency, and
the Redevelopment Agency will repay the City from future tax increment revenues. A
reimbursement formalizing the Agreement between the City and the Agency for the
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above referenced capital improvement project was executed September 27, 2001. The
Reimbursement Agreement will need to be amended to cover this contract.
Recommendations
Staff recommends:
1. City Council and the Redevelopment Agency authorize the City Manager and the
Executive Director, respectively, to negotiate and execute a professional services
agreement with URS Corporation in an amount not to exceed $825,000 and
approve $82,500 in contingency funds for the contract;
2. City Council and the Redevelopment Agency authorize the City Manager and the
Executive Director, respectively, to execute the First Amendment to the
Reimbursement Agreement between the City and the Redevelopment Agency for
the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs Improvement Project.
Prepared by: Kate Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Government Relations
Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management.
Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Jeff Mathieu, Director, Resource Management
Tina Rodriguez, Redevelopment Administrator
Barbara Stinchfield, Director, Community and Cultural Services
Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director, CCS Administration
Dave Britton, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Spiros A. Lazaris, P.E., Civil Engineer
Reference Contract No. 8467 (CCS) (RAS), and modification to Contract No. 8069
(CCS) (RAS).
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