HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-12-2017 Item 15 - Authorize Advertising for CDBG Marsh Street Curb Ramps project
Meeting Date: 12/12/2017
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Brian Nelson, Acting Supervising Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) MARSH STREET
CURB RAMPS PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 91544
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve Plans and Specifications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Marsh Street Curb Ramps project, Specification No. 91544; and
2. Authorize staff to advertise for bids and authorize the City Manager to award the contract if
the lowest responsible bid is within the Engineer’s Estimate of $195,500.
DISCUSSION
This project is part of an ongoing program to increase accessibility to streets and sidewalks to all
community members by constructing sidewalk curb ramps throughout the City of San Luis
Obispo public rights-of-way. This work is funded by both Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) and City General funds. Sidewalk curb ramps provide access and implement state and
federal accessibility requirements.
Marsh Street from Archer Street to Johnson Avenue is the work area for this project since there
are 31 non-compliant curb ramps, there is high pedestrian usage, and these improvements are
required due to scheduled pavement improvements in the summer of 2019. This project will
replace curb ramps on six corners with existing non-compliant ramps and install truncated domes
at 14 other ramps. The 11 remaining corner ramps are planned to be upgraded as a component of
private development projects or the paving improvements scheduled for 2019.
Currently, the City is updating the inventory of known accessibility improvements and that work
should be complete in the next several months. Based on current information, there are 2,436
locations at intersections where pedestrians may cross the street. Of these locations:
• 703 or 29% of the locations meet current ADA standards.
• 1207 or 50% of the locations already have a transition ramp that does not meet current
standards. These ramps typically have steep slopes or do not have truncated domes
which are used by the visually impaired.
• 526 or 22% of the locations do not provide a ramp between the sidewalk and street.
Currently, it is the City’s practice to prioritize curb ramp installation based on individual requests
by community members with special needs and then proceeding with scheduled pavement
maintenance.
Packet Pg 214
15
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project uses Federal CDBG funds, and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)
clearance has been obtained through the County of San Luis Obispo. Additionally, the project is
categorically exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing
facilities).
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is included in the 2017-19 Financial Plan, pages E2-132 to E2-134. The total
anticipated budget needed for project construction is $236,600. The current project budget is
$132,621, which leaves an additional funding need of $103,979. The variance between the
current budget and the budget required by the project scope is due to construction costs that have
doubled on average for curb ramp related projects since 2015, which can be attributed to an
improved economy. CDBG grant funding, which comprises the majority of the current budget,
has not increased relative to increasing costs. Therefore, staff recommends that additional funds
be allocated from the Street Reconstruction and Resurfacing Master Account to supplement the
required budget. The Street Reconstruction and Resurfacing Account currently has a balance of
$1,215,175 of which approximately $700,000 is planned to be used to repair Dana Street and the
intersections of Palm at Johnson and Palm at Toro. The remainder balance is anticipated to be
used on the southerly portions of Broad Street near the Airport to replace pavement failures. A
Budget Amendment Request will be completed at the time of contract award to transfer funding
into this project’s account.
Estimated Project Cost by Funding Sources
Sidewalk
Ramp
Comstruction
(99868)
Streets R&R
Master
Account
(90346)
Total
Construction Estimate:$132,621 $62,879 $195,500
Contingencies:$39,100 $39,100
Material Testing:$1,500 $1,500
Printing:$500 $500
Total for Project:$132,621 $103,979 $236,600
CDBG Grand Funding:$105,000
General Fund Balance:$27,621 $1,215,175
Total Current Account Balance:$132,621 $1,215,175
CDBG MARSH STREET CURB RAMPS, SPECIFICATION NO. 91544
ALTERNATIVES
Deny authorization to advertise. The City Council may choose not to authorize project
advertisement. This is not recommended because the CDBG Curb Ramp project is mostly
supported by grant money and the project provides ADA access to City sidewalks.
Packet Pg 215
15
Attachments:
a - Council Reading File - 91544 Plans
b - Council Reading File - 91544 Specifications
Packet Pg 216
15
Page intentionally left
blank.
15