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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2009, C7 - 2010 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS council Mfis Dw 12,15/09 j acEnba Report '�N ��- . CITY OF SAN LUIS 0BISP0 FROM: 'Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Works JD1W Prepared By: Matt Horn, Supervising Civil Engineer SUBJECT: 2010 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution approving the 2010 City Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards and rescind the previous resolution. DISCUSSION Background The Public Works Department maintains 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 for City projects,including private development work within the City's right of way or within future City parks. The purpose of these standards is to set a level of quality and consistency in construction. These two things, combined with active inspection, lead to long life of public improvements, and reduced maintenance costs. In addition, the specifications provide contractual language to guide the behavior and relationship between contractors and the City during construction activities. Adoption of these standards by the Council assists in protecting the City from litigation through laws relating to design immunity. The City Standard Specifications work in conjunction with the State of California Department of Transportation Standard Specifications. The City references the State book with modifications where appropriate to meet City needs. The State book covers many standard contract issues and legal requirements such as labor laws, payment and liability. The City specifications focus on construction issues that the State does not typically handle such as water, wastewater, and park facilities. The Engineering Section updates the City Standard Specifications and the Engineering Standards on a periodic basis to reflect changes in construction practices, materials, and to add clarifications. During the year, design or construction activities typically reveal areas that would benefit from modifications, within the documents. Staff submits suggested changes during the year. These suggestions for improvements are kept on file and the standard or specification revised as appropriate during the next update. These 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 Standards Review Committee, which includes the City Engineer as well as technical staff from Development Review and Engineering, has reviewed the suggested revisions. The revisions that the committee concurred with have been incorporated in the 2010 documents. C � -1 i 1 2010 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards Page 2 2010 Version Update There are approximately 70 revisions in the 2010 edition of the Standard Specifications and the Engineering Standards. The majority are minor corrections or wording clarifications. The most notable of the revisions are the addition of two new standards for bicycle paths and the revision of the construction claim process to better align the City process with the State process. The two bike path standards were developed using design details from Railroad Safety Trail Phase 1project constructed several years ago north of Orcutt Road, and a recently completed bike path project located near California and Foothill Boulevards known as the Railroad Safety Trail Phase 4. One standard is for wood rail fencing along bike paths and the second is for lighting. The wood rail fence design and existing lighting have proved to be durable and maintainable designs, resistant to vandalism. Consistency for lighting standards is important for purposes of minimizing replacement part inventories. Although standards applicable to the downtown such as modifications to the Mission Style Sidewalk,pedestrian level lighting, and tree grates and guards, were adopted in prior year standards, as part of one of the Council's Other Important Objectives,a complete review of standards affecting the downtown is underway through the Community Development Department, assisted by the Public Works Department. Any revisions to the Engineering Standards, or new standards that would result from that review, will come before the Council at a future meeting. These documents exceed 300 pages and are therefore made available as a single volume in the Council Reading File. CONCURRENCES Many of these Engineering Standards apply to Utilities facilities. The Utilities Department has been involved and concurs with revisions to the Utilities standards. FISCAL IMPACT Most of the revisions are minor in nature, involve slight modifications or clarifications to existing specifications or standards, and will have either minor or insignificant impacts on the cost of construction or development. ATTACHMENT Resolution AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE A copy of the 2010 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards is 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. \\chstore4\Team\Cound1 Agenda Reports\Public Works CAR\2009\CIP\2010 Standards\Hdopt 2010 Standards.doc ATTACHMENT RESOLUTION NO. (2009 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. 10050 (2009 Series) approving previous editions of the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards is hereby rescinded. 2. Revised Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards dated January 2010, 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 15th day of December 2009. David F. Romero, Mayor ATTEST: Elaina Cano City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: a Lowell City Attorney