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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - 2020 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards Update Department Name: Public Works Cost Center: N/A For Agenda of: August 18, 2020 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director Prepared By: Brian Nelson, Supervising Civil Engineer SUBJECT: 2020 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS UPDATE; STREET CLOSURES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a Resolution approving the revised Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards for Construction (Attachment A); and 2. Authorize the City Engineer to release projects currently in design or approved by Council under the 2018 City Standard Specifications on a case by case basis; and 3. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to approve temporary closures of City streets for special events, construction activities or other purposes (Attachment C). DISCUSSION Background The City Engineer is responsible for maintaining the Public Works Department’s Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards (hereafter collectively referred to as the “Standards”). The Standards set forth general guidelines and requirements for design and construction of City projects. In addition, they are also applicable to private development work within City right of way or on City property. The Standards set a level of quality and consistency for infrastructure construction and communicate an objective standard for public improvements. These Standards, when combined with active inspection, ensure the longevity and function of public improvements, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. In addition, the Standard Specifications provide contractual language to guide the relationship between contractors and the City during construction activities. In unique situations, licensed judgment by the City Engineer may be required on how to best apply intent of the Standards to ensure quality and consistency for public improvements. The City Standard Specifications work in conjunction with the State of California Department of Transportation Standard Specifications (the “State Book”). The City references the State Book, modified where appropriate, to satisfy City needs. The State Book covers many standard contract issues and legal requirements such as labor laws, bidding, payment, and liability. The City Standard Specifications also focus on construction guidelines for work the State does not typically handle such as water, wastewater, and park facilities. The Engineering Standards are pictorial construction drawings and details showing how facilities are put together. These are largely specific to City construction needs. Item 5 Packet Page 71 2020 Revisions The 2018 Standards continue to implement the 2015 State Book which are already familiar to local contractors. This 2020 update (Attachment B) involves minor changes and clarifications to a number of existing details, including clarification of the separation requirements for water and wastewater facilities to ensure water safety, improvements to construction details of banner arms on existing poles in the downtown, and enhancements to traffic control requirements for improved safety within construction zones. Further, new standards have been created for construction of 5G Small Cell Facilities, Green Bike Lanes, and Decorative Paver Crosswalks. The new details document City expectations for construction of improvements that will benefit community cohesiveness, ensure design development consistency, and reduce future City review times when related improvements are proposed. A handful of projects are substantially complete with design using the City’s 2018 Engineering Standards and Specifications. To minimize impacts to project delivery, staff anticipates releasing these contracts for construction under the 2018 standards on a case-by-case basis. Wherever possible, those projects that are substantially complete will be converted to the 2020 Standards. Street Closures for Special Events Occasionally, the City approves the temporary closure of public streets for construction activities and special events, such as the Thursday night Farmer’s Market, and more recently as part of the Open SLO program where downtown streets are closed to vehicle traffic temporarily to provide more pedestrian space for outdoor dining and social distancing. California Vehicle Code Section 21101 allows municipalities to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution to formally authorize the temporary closure of public streets for special events, celebrations, or other purposes when the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of the public. Per City Council Resolution No. 11118 (2020 Series), the City Manager or their designee has formal authority to approve temporary street closures during the one-year Open SLO pilot program; however, it appears that the City has not previously adopted a formal ordinance or resolution designating the authority to close public streets for temporary events beyond the one-year Open SLO program. To ensure consistency with the California Vehicle Code, a resolution has been prepared for Council consideration a Resolution (Attachment C) which formally delegates authority to the Public Works Director or their designee to approve temporary closure of public streets for special events, construction activities or other purposes where it is the opinion that closure of the street is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who use that street. Policy Context Related to the Standards Updates, the Public Works Capital Improvement Program updates the City Standards on a periodic basis to reflect changes in construction practices, provi de clarifications, and adopt new technologies. The City Engineer keeps suggested improvements on file and the Standards are revised during the next update. Item 5 Packet Page 72 As stated above regarding street closures, the California Vehicle Code Section 21101 allows municipalities to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution to formally authorize the temporary closure of public streets for special events, celebrations, or other purposes when the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of the public. Public Engagement Public Works staff work with local developers, engineers, and contractors to ensure compliance with the Standards. When deficiencies with the Standards are identified, Staff work with these external partners to make the necessary design or field adjustments. Where appropriate, Staff incorporate revisions and improvements into the next set of Standards. With the recommended action, the Standards update will incorporate these incremental improvements. CONCURRENCE The 2020 modifications to the Standards were submitted by the Public Works, Utilities, and Community Development Department staff. These departments concur that the proposed modifications are reasonable and appropriate. The City Engineer has approved all changes. Adoption of the resolution authorizing the Public Works Director or their designee to approve temporary street closures has the concurrence of the Community Development Department and the Administration Department. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378. COVID-19 Considerations Due to the current economic impacts of COVID-19, the City reevaluated all Capital Improvement Plan projects with the goal of adjusting Capital Expenditures in response to projected revenue shortfalls, and aligning the adjusted CIP program with a focus on economic recovery and fiscal responsibility. As it relates to the CIP program, the Standards update is recommended to continue since current Standards are important for addressing critical and time dependent infrastructure projects which support economic recovery through contracts with local or regional companies and further retain employment and long-term viability of construction. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: No Budget Year: N/A Funding Identified: No Item 5 Packet Page 73 Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Total Budget Available Current Funding Request Remaining Balance Annual Ongoing Cost General Fund N/A State Federal Fees Other: Total $0 $0 $0 $0 The recommended Standards changes are either minor or will have an insignificant impact on the cost of City or private development projects. This is because most of the changes involve improvements to current construction standards or City infrastructure needs. The changes are not anticipated to result in significant cost impacts to construction or development. The recommended Standards update does not obligate funding and there are no direct Capital expenditures associated with the update. ALTERNATIVES This item can be referred to staff for further consideration and modification on specific items. Attachments: a - Draft Resolution - Approving revised Standard Specifications & Engineering Standards for Consruction b - COUNCIL READING FILE - 2020 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards c - Draft Resolution - Authorize temporary street closures for special events, construction activities or other purposes Item 5 Packet Page 74 R _____ RESOLUTION NO. ______ (2020 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING REVISED STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION WHEREAS, the Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards establishing quality requirements and contract conditions for construction; and WHEREAS, the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards must be periodically updated to allow for changes in construction practices and contract law; and WHEREAS, legally adopted Standard Specifications are necessary to provide "design and plan immunity" thereby protecting the City from possible liability. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Resolution No. 10889 (2018 Series) approving previous editions of the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards is hereby superseded and the 2020 Standard Specifications and Engineering Specifications approved herein shall be applicable to all projects advertised and approved following the approval of these standards, except as expressly provided below. SECTION 2. 2020 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards dated and effective August 31, 2020, are hereby approved. Item 5 Packet Page 75 Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 2 R _____ SECTION 3. The City Manager is authorized to release for advertising under the previous Standard Specifications, currently pending projects that are deemed by the City Engineer substantially complete with design at the time of this adoption. The Council expressly affirms its prior approval of the Standard Specifications approved by Resolution No. 10889 (2018) as applicable to those projects. Upon motion of Council Member ___________________, seconded by Council Member __________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of ___________ 2020. ______________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk Item 5 Packet Page 76 R _____ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2020 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO APPROVE TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF CITY STREETS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES OR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Sections 21101(e) allows municipalities to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution authorizing the closure any street temporarily for celebrations, special events, or other purposes when in the opinion of the local authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing; and WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Sections 21101(f) allows municipalities to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution authorizing the closure of entry to, or exit from, or both, from any street by means of islands, curbs, traffic barriers, or other roadway design features to implement the circulation element of a general plan adopted pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 65350) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code. The rules and regulations authorized by this subdivision shall be consistent with the responsibility of local government to provide for the health and safety of its citizens; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 11118 (2020 Series) currently authorizes the City Manager to implement strategies proposed as part of the Open SLO program, which includes authorization of temporary street closures to vehicle traffic during the one-year Open SLO pilot program; and WHEREAS, the City may choose to pursue additional temporary street closures beyond the one-year Open SLO pilot program for special events or construction activities were deemed necessary for the safety and protection of the public; and WHEREAS, a proper temporary traffic control and detour plan will be required to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director for any proposed street closures; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works, the Police Department, and Fire Department have no objections provided that emergency vehicle access will be available if needed during the temporary closure of the street. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Authorizes the Public Works Director or their designee(s), as defined in City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 10.08, to approve the temporary closure of public streets for special events, construction activities, or other purposes where it is the opinion of the Public Works Director or their designee(s) that closure of the street is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who use that portion of the street. Item 5 Packet Page 77 Resolution No. _____ (2020 Series) Page 2 R ______ SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any other City policy or procedure, the Public Works Director or their designee(s) shall be authorized to review and approve on behalf of the City any and all temporary traffic control, signage and public noticing plans associated with implementation any proposed temporary street closures. SECTION 3. Environmental Review. The potential temporary closure of public streets is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as follows: The project is categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the actions identified in the program are limited to the permitting, leasing, and minor alteration of existing public facilities, including existing str eets, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian trails, which would not result in the creation of additional automobile lanes. The program would result in a negligible expansion of existing commercial uses and a negligible expansion of the public’s use of City right-of-way, as the uses included in the temporary program would not vary from the current uses of commercial businesses, residential areas, or public access within the City’s right -of-way. Upon motion of Council Member _________________, seconded by Council Member ___________________, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2020. ____________________________________ Mayor Heidi Harmon ATTEST: ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: _____________________________________ J. Christine Dietrick, City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ____________________________________ Teresa Purrington, City Clerk Item 5 Packet Page 78