SR-11-13-2001-1ETO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Contract Modifications with Harris and Company for Additional Public
Outreach Work on the Transit Mall and 4th Street Improvements.
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This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute contract modifications with Harris and Company for additional construction
mitigation, public outreach, and liaison services in an amount not to exceed $150,000
on the Transit Mall project and approve $15,000 in contingency.
Background
The Transit Mall project includes the creation of transit priority lanes on the south side of
Santa Monica Boulevard and north side of Broadway, between Ocean Avenue and Fifth
Street. The sidewalks are being widened and new street furniture, pavement
treatments, street trees, street lighting, and public art will be added to create a
pedestrian friendly atmosphere in the downtown area. On Santa Monica Boulevard
only, certain improvements also will extend east beyond 5th Street to 7th Street, linking
to the Main Library. The Transit Mall construction contract was approved by the City
Council on January 21, 2001 and construction began on April 2, 2001.
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Anticipating the need for public outreach and problem solving measures for those in the
affected area, the City retained Harris and Company, a communications firm with
extensive outreach experience on public works projects, through a competitive process
at a contract amount of $175,000.
Discussion
The project has called for more frequent public meetings, mailings, advertising, signage,
sound attenuation and other measures than originally anticipated. Harris and Company
has been exceptionally responsive and proactive in working with the public and the
project team and has budgeted the contracted amount judiciously. Outreach and
construction mitigation will continue to be a high priority for the final six months of the
project. Therefore, staff recommends an increase in the contract amount with Harris and
Company.
Budget /Financial Impact
FUNDS REQUIRED
Contract .................. ..............................$ 150,000
Contingency ............ ..............................$ 15,000
Total Funds Required ..... .......................$165,000
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Funds are available in the following CIP accounts
Account
Contract
Contingency
Total
01274.555060
$ 30,000
$ 0
$ 30,000
01274.578670
$ 35,000
$ 0
$ 35,000
C41045801.589000
$ 85,000
$15,000
$100,000
Total
$150,000
$15,000
$165,000
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contract modifications with
Harris and Company for public outreach work in an amount not to exceed
$150,000 on the Transit Mall project and authorize a contingency amount of
$15,000; and
2. Authorize the City Engineer to approve any necessary change orders to
complete additional work in conformance with the Administrative Instructions on
change orders.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works Management
Stephanie Negriff, Acting Director of Transportation
Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Bill Zein, P.E., Sr. Civil Engineer
Judy Rambeau, Assistant to the City Manager, Community Relations
Joe Stitcher, Transit Customer Relations Manager
Dan Dawson, Marketing Analyst, Big Blue Bus
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