sr-062309-1fCity Council Meeting: June 23, 2009
Agenda Item: ~ `~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lee E. Swain; Director of Public Works
Subject: Pier Structural Upgrades and Gangway Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with URS Corporation in the amount of
$430,000 plus 10% contingency in the amount of $43,000 for a total amount not to
exceed $473,000 to provide design services for the Pier Structural Upgrade and
Gangway Project.
Executive Summary
The Pier Infrastructure Assessment Study recommended safety improvements to the
Santa Monica Pier including Municipal Pier structural upgrades and the construction of
an emergency gangway. The Municipal Pier structural upgrade is intended to replace a
structurally deficient section of the existing Municipal Pier with a new structure that is
capable of handling the loads imposed by emergency vehicles. The emergency
gangway will allow the evacuation of the Pier to the west in the event of a fire or other
emergency. URS Corporation. is recommended for final design services including the
preparation of bidding documents associated with the implementation of these
improvements. Funds for final design services are available in the annual Capital
Improvement Program budget.
Background
On April 10, 2007, the City Council authorized a professional services agreement with
Moffatt & Nichol to provide engineering design and inspection services for the Pier
Infrastructure Assessment Study (Study). The Study was a comprehensive inspection
and condition assessment of all of the Pier's above-water and underwater structural
components. The Study provided an evaluation of the under-deck piping systems, the
loading capacity of the concrete portion of the Municipal Pier, the remaining portions of
the Newcomb Pier deck, the deck over the Santa Monica Aquarium, the Pier's lighting
and fire protection systems, and the furniture and fixtures of the Pier. The Study was
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completed and delivered in November 2008 and included recommendations fora 10-
year capital improvement plan for the Santa Monica Pier. It was forwarded to Council
via an Information Item on May 19, 2009.
Discussion
The Study recommended two priority safety improvements to the Santa Monica Pier -
the Municipal Pier structural upgrade and the implementation of an emergency
gangway. The Municipal Pier structural upgrade will continue the process of upgrading
the Pier to an H-20 (twenty-ton truck) capacity to provide adequate access for
emergency vehicles and firefighting equipment. The Study included preliminary design
details for the replacement of the existing Municipal Pier over the surf and tidal zone,
which is the area approximately bordered by the high tide line on the East and the low
tide line on the West. The proposed improvements- include replacing the current all-
timber construction with concrete piles, concrete pile caps, and timber stringers and
decking. The use of concrete in this area is recommended because this portion of the
Pier is over water and concrete will provide higher durability and lower maintenance in
the surf zone.
The addition of an emergency evacuation gangway to the western end of the Pier was
also identified in the Study as a priority. A gangway would allow the evacuation of the
western portions of the Pier in the event that a fire or other emergency prevented
passage on the existing Pier. The emergency gangway would be stored at deck level
when not in use and would be used to load evacuees onto waiting vessels in the event
of an emergency.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
On March 5, 2009, a Request for Proposals was posted on the City's website, inviting
proposals from marine engineering consulting firms to provide design services for the
structural upgrades and gangway project. Three proposals were received by the
closing date of March 26, 2009, from the following firms: Moffatt & Nichol,
WorleyParsons Westmar, and URS Corporation. A selection committee of staff from
Public Works, Community Maintenance, and Housing and Economic Development
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Departments reviewed the written proposals and interviewed all three firms. The
selection criteria included the firm's technical competence; understanding of the
project's scope; direct experience with similar. projects; approach to the work; staffing
capability to meet project timeliness; design experience; quality control; cost control;
qualifications of the project manager, and hourly billing rates/cost of proposed services.
Based on the proposals and interviews, the selection committee recommends URS
Corporation for design .services for this project. URS Corporation has extensive
experience on marine projects such as Pismo Beach Boardwalk, Isthmus Pier
Inspection and Reconstruction in Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island. Berth 85
Timber Whart at the Port of Los Angeles, Sea Launch Home Port Pier Improvements at
the Port of Long Beach, and the Reconstruction of the Venice Municipal Pier. Staff
contacted the reference agencies and all respondents reported that the firm's work was
completed in a timely and cost-efficient manner while consistently maintaining high
quality.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds for this project are available in the following accounts:
Account Name Amount
M304006 Pier Infrastructure Improvement $210,100
M304007 Pier Gangway 262 900
Total $473,000
Prepared by: Mark Cuneo, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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Lee E. Swain, Director
Department of Public Works
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Reference Contract No.
9079 (CCS).