Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-2015 Item 09 - 2016 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards Update Meeting Date: 12/15/2015 FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Public Works Director Prepared By: Barbara Lynch, City Engineer David Athey, Assistant City Engineer SUBJECT: 2016 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS UPDATE RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a Resolution approving revised Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards for Construction; and 2. Authorize the City Engineer to release projects currently in design or approved by Council under the 2014 City Standard Specifications on a case by case basis. DISCUSSION Background The City Engineer is responsible for maintaining the Public Works Department’s Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards (hereafter collectively referred to as “Standards”). The Standards set forth general guidelines and requirements for design and construction of City projects. The Standards 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. 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. The City Standard Specifications work in conjunction with the State of California Department of Transportation Standard Specifications (“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 do es 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 with only a few references to using typical State construction details. 9 Packet Pg. 60 The Public Works Capital Improvement Program Design Section updates the City Standards on a periodic basis to reflect changes in construction practices, materials, and to add clarifications. Design or construction activities typically reveal Standards that need modification over time. Modifications are generally intended to add clarification, close loopholes, or update standards to be consistent with new technology, current construction practices, and City adopted policies. The City Engineer keeps suggested improvements on file and the Standards are revised during the next update. 2016 Revisions The 2014 Standards incorporated significant updates including a plain language re-write and new state required stormwater standards. The 2016 Standards update involves minor changes and clarifications and includes the changes that were made to Engineering Standard 1010 (water efficiency standards) by Council on November 3, 2015. The changes made to Section 1010 H. in November, were completed prior to this update in order to maintain compliance with the State’s December 1st implementation date. This action carries the Section 1010 H. changes forward. One notable modification is that the proposed 2016 Standards will now allow contractor’s the option of using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) on all paving projects. The 2014 Standards allowed the use of reclaimed asphalt pavements on a case by case basis. Reclaimed asphalt pavements include up to 15% recycled aggregate and asphalt from road grinding projects. Engineering has evaluated the use of RAP and has determined that RAP quality is similar to conventional material pavements. In addition, RAP pavement use is becoming widespread as Caltrans, a large user of asphalt, allows RAP asphalt on all projects. Since most asphalt plants are now incorporating RAP into mixes, the City’s contractors have to wait longer to receive non RAP asphalt. Therefore, Public Works is proposing the change to reflect the current state of paving practice and the research into the quality of the final product. A handful of projects are substantially complete with design using the City’s 2014 Engineering Standards and Specifications. These projects are referenced to the Caltrans 2010 Stat e Book, and this reference is not changing. To minimize impacts to project delivery, staff anticipates releasing these contracts for construction under the 2014 standards on a case-by-case basis. Wherever possible, those projects that are substantially complete will be converted to the 2016 Standards. CONCURRENCES The 2016 modifications were submitted by the Public Works and Utilities Department staff. Both the Public Works and Utilities departments concur proposed modifications are reasonable and appropriate. The City Engineer has approved all changes. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act as it is not a project under CEQA. 9 Packet Pg. 61 FISCAL IMPACT 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. ALTERNATIVES This item can be referred back to staff for further consideration and modification on specific items. Attachments: a a - 2015 Resolution b Council Reading File - 2016 Standard Specifications 9 Packet Pg. 62 RESOLUTION NO. _______ (2015 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY 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. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: 1. The 2016 Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards dated and effective January 1, 2016, copies of which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, are hereby approved. 2. Resolution No. 10495 (2014 Series) approving previous editions of the Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards is hereby superseded and the 2016 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. 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. 10495 (2014) as applicable to those projects. 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 2015. Mayor Jan Marx 9.a Packet Pg. 63 At t a c h m e n t : a - 2 0 1 5 R e s o l u t i o n ( 1 1 8 5 : 2 0 1 6 S t a n d a r d S p e c i f i c a t i o n s a n d E n g i n e e r i n g S t a n d a r d s U p d a t e ) Resolution No. _____ (2015 Series) Page 2 R ______ ATTEST: Jon Ansolabehere Interim 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, this ______ day of ______________, _________. Jon Ansolabehere Interim City Clerk 9.a Packet Pg. 64 At t a c h m e n t : a - 2 0 1 5 R e s o l u t i o n ( 1 1 8 5 : 2 0 1 6 S t a n d a r d S p e c i f i c a t i o n s a n d E n g i n e e r i n g S t a n d a r d s U p d a t e ) Page intentionally left blank.