HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/2006, C3 - 2007 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS council Dec 5, 2006
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CITY OF SAN LU I S O B I S P O
FROM: Jay Walter, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Daniel Van Beveren, Senior Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: 2007 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the 2007 City Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards and
rescind the previous resolution.
DISCUSSION
For many years the City has maintained a set of Standard Specifications and a set of Engineering
Standards. These two documents set forth the general guidelines and requirements for design and
construction on City projects, including private development work within the City's right of way or
within future City parks. City projects presented to the City Council for approval to advertise for
construction are typically in the form of a set of plans along with a document called the "Special
Provisions". The plans and Special Provisions identify for the specific proiect, the specific
conditions which must be met. These specific conditions are unique to the project and are not
covered in the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards or are different from those two
documents. The Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards are referenced for all items,
conditions,or issues which are not specified in the project plans or Special Provisions.'
The City Standard Specifications are based on the State of California Department of Transportation
Standard Specifications. The City references the State book with modifications and changes written
in where appropriate to meet City needs and wants. The State book covers many standard contract
issues and legal requirements such as labor laws, payment, and liability. The City specifications
focus on construction the State does not normally handle such as municipal water and wastewater
systems, and parks. The Engineering Division updates the City Standard Specifications and the
Engineering Standards annually to reflect changes in construction law,practices, or materials, and to
add clarifications.
Throughout the year, staff continually refers to these documents in performing design and
inspection of construction projects. Suggestions for improving the documents have been submitted
by City staff primarily in the Public Works and Utilities Departments. These suggested changes are
generally intended to add clarification, close loop holes or update standards to be consistent with
new technology, current construction practices and City-adopted policies. The suggested changes
were reviewed by a committee which includes the City Engineer as well as technical staff from
Development Review and Engineering. The committee has conferred on the suggested revisions
which now appear in the 2007 documents.
There are numerous revisions to the 2006 version of the Standard Specifications and the
Engineering Standards. Most of the revisions are minor in nature, involve slight modifications or
clarifications to existing specifications or standards, and will have little to no impact on the cost of
2007 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards Page 2
construction or development. A few examples of these revisions include the type of fuses to be
used on the street light electrical circuits, the plumbing fittings to be used on water service
connections, and a new type of cover to be used on the standard tree well. A few new standards
have been added as well, including a standardized City bus stop shelter, and a"speed table", which
can be used for traffic calming purposes.
The most significant revision to the 2006 Standards is the conversion from the formerly-used Metric
System to the US Customary (English) System. As required by Federal law,the City adopted the
use of the Metric System in 1996. Since that time, the law has changed and the use of the Metric
System is now optional. In May of 2006, CalTrans adopted new Standard Specifications which are
based entirely on US Customary Units. To be consistent with the referenced State book, the 2007
City Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards reflect a conversion from Metric to English
units. This conversion of units has not changed the requirements of the City Standards or
Specifications.
Staff has completed the needed revisions to the City Standard Specifications and Engineering
Standards and the changes are now ready for formal Council adoption.
CONCURRENCES
Various City Departments have been involved in the effort to revise the standards, and are in
concurrence with the final product.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Attachment
1. -Resolution
Reading File
A copy of the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards are available in the Council
Office for review. (Changes to the Standard Specifications are identified by a bar in the margin.
Changes to the Engineering Standards are noted in the bottom footer.)
g:lstaff- pa6 gendas minutes\=62000\dpt2007 standardst2007 adopt standard specs&eng stds.doc
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Attachment 91
RESOLUTION NO. (2006 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
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,
BE IT RESOLVED,by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows;
1. Resolution No. 9750 (2005 Series) approving previous editions of the Standard
Specifications and Engineering Standards is hereby rescinded.
2. Revised City Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards dated
January 2007, copies of,which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, are hereby
approved
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 12005.
David F. Romero, Mayor
ATTEST:
Audrey Hooper, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney
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