For City Council Meeting [December 11, 2018]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Ahmad R. Ansari, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robert G. Eisenbeisz, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Award a Professional Services Agreement to KTU&A Corporation and Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Order in the amount of $199,040.00 for the Development of a City of Rialto Active Transportation Plan under the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Senate Bill 1), City Project 180809. POWERPOINT
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill 1 (SB1) - The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, is a transportation funding bill that provides a reliable source of funds to maintain and integrate the State’s multi-modal transportation system. This transportation funding provided approximately $25 million in Sustainable Communities Grants during the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-2018 grant cycle.
On September 14, 2017, Caltrans released the guidelines and called for applications for the Sustainable Communities grant program for a competitive program open to municipal entities. The grant is intended to fund local and regional multimodal transportation and land-use projects that further regional sustainable transportation goals, contribute to state greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, and fulfill overarching Caltrans mission objectives. The program made a total of $12.38 million available with a minimum request of $100,000 and a local match contribution of at least 11.47 percent.
Applications were due to Caltrans on October 20, 2017. Staff submitted a grant application to develop a City-Wide Active Transportation Plan. On December 15, 2017, Caltrans notified staff that Rialto was awarded a grant in the amount of $200,000. On January 9, 2018, City Council accepted the grant for $200,000 with a Local Match of $25,912 using budgeted Measure I funds, for a total project amount of $225,912.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The project will create an Active Transportation Plan (ATP) that provides a comprehensive framework for non-motorized transportation options throughout the City. The plan will identify non-motorized routes and recommended improvements for bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, expanding bicycle networks, improving pedestrian circulation, reducing vehicle trips, creating complete streets, and prioritizing transit access with first and last mile consideration.
The goal of the project is to develop a plan with the following objectives:
• Establish an Active Transportation Network throughout the City of Rialto consisting of safe and comfortable walking and bicycling facilities to access work, schools, and recreational uses.
• Promote use of non-motorized travel to increase physical activity and improve health.
• Promote use of non-motorized travel to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases related to transportation.
The project scope will include the following tasks:
1. Project Coordination
2. Outreach and Engagement Plan, includes formation of an Advisory Committee, Council and Commission meeting presentations, Community Outreach Events and establishment of a virtual engagement platform.
3. Inventory and Analysis includes review of relevant plans and studies; performing active transportation user counts; and an existing conditions report
4. Development of a Needs Assessment Report
5. Recommend, Prioritize and Prepare Implementation of Active Transportation Plan elements
6. Development of a Draft and Final Active Transportation Plan for Adoption
7. Fiscal Management of the grant, including invoicing and required quarterly reports
On July 31, 2018, the City released RFP No. 19-011 and posted it on PlanetBids. On August 21, 2018, the City received six (6) proposals from the following firms:
1. KOA Corporation
2. KTU&A Corporation
3. Alta Planning + Design
4. Kimley-Horn
5. Iteris
6. UDH4
The City assembled an evaluation panel to review the proposals consisting of two (2) planners from the Caltrans District 8 office in San Bernardino, and three (3) City staff members.
The evaluators were:
1. Thanya Espericueta, Associate Transportation Planner-Caltrans District 8
2. Rebecca Forbes, Associate Transportation Planner-Caltrans District 8
3. Katie Nickel, Public Works Program Coordinator-City of Rialto
4. Azzam Jabsheh, Associate Civil Engineer-City of Rialto
5. Gina Gibson, Senior Planner-City of Rialto
Based solely on the individual judgment of the evaluators, a clear ranking of the most qualified firms was established and the top four ranked firms were invited to interviews.
The top four firms were:
1. Alta Planning + Design
2. KTU&A Corporation
3. KOA Corporation
4. Kimley-Horn
The City conducted interviews at the Public Works offices on November 6, 2018. The panel consisted of the following members:
1. Thanya Espericueta, Associate Transportation Planner-Caltrans District 8
2. Daniel Casey, Associate Planner-City of Rialto
3. Azzam Jabsheh, PE, Associate Civil Engineer
4. Katie Nickel, Public Works Program Coordinator-City of Rialto
In accordance with state law (California Government Code Section 4526) and Chapter 2.48.440 of the Rialto Municipal Code, City Council must make the selection for professional services on the basis of the firm’s demonstrated competence and professional qualifications in accordance with specific evaluation criteria identified in the RFP.
Based on the judgment of the evaluators, it was clear that KTU&A Corporation was qualified to develop the Rialto Active Transportation Plan. A comprehensive background check was conducted and evaluation requests were sent to the following two agencies:
1-City of Santa Ana-Cory Wilkerson
2-City of Temecula-Matt Peters
The evaluations received high ratings in categories such as, project management, communication, knowledge, experience, timeliness, budget, time and task management. One of the projects KTU&A Corporation completed for the City of Temecula won an award from the American Planning Association (APA).
Staff recommends selecting KTU&A Corporation to provide the requested services and a draft of the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with KTU&A Corporation is included as Attachment 1. Pursuant to the terms proposed in the PSA, the term of the PSA will be for 14 months.
KTU&A Corporation is well versed in preparing Active Transportation Plans and has completed these services for the following Cities:
• City of Grand Terrace
• City of Jurupa Valley
• City of Goleta
• County of Riverside Regional parks and Open-Space District
• San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 4-9: Promote walking. Policy 4-9.3: Provide pedestrian-friendly and safety improvements, such as crosswalks and pedestrian signals, in all pedestrian activity areas.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the staff report and Professional Services Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action will not affect the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Funding is budgeted and available for the award of a Professional Services Agreement to KTU&A Corporation in Special Grant Fund Account No. 223-500-4427-2011-180809-01 in the amount of $200,000 and from Measure I Fund, Account No. 201-500-4310-2011-180809-04 in the amount of $25,912 (Local Match). The award with KTU&A Corporation will be funded from the Special Grant Fund Account No. 223-500-4427-2011-180809-01.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax at the Professional Service rate in the amount of $254 will be paid by the vendor prior to execution of the Professional Service Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council Approve a Professional Services Agreement in the amount of $199,040.00 with KTU&A Corporation for the Development of a City of Rialto Active Transportation Plan funded by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Senate Bill 1),City Project No. 180809.