Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, P.E., City Engineer
Title
SUBJECT: Third Amendment with Quad Knopf, Inc., for the Preparation of Environmental Technical Studies for the Bear Creek Bike Path Project 111066
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a $27,054 amendment with Quad Knopf, Inc., to complete required environmental documents for the future construction of a Class I Bike Path along State Route 59.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the Third Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Quad Knopf, Inc., in the amount of $27,054 for the Preparation of Environmental Technical Studies; and, authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
Services with an estimated value greater than $28,000 are made by written contract in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced (City) received a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) for preliminary engineering related to the construction of a Class I Bike Path along State Route 59 and the Bear Creek Corridor, bounded by Buena Vista Drive and 16th Street. As part of the preliminary engineering, the City hired an outside consultant to complete the environmental technical studies required by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
In January 2012, the City entered into an agreement in the amount of $21,177 with Quad Knopf, Inc., to prepare the environmental documents for the Bear Creek Bike Path Project. After the initial documents were completed and sent to Caltrans, the City received comments from Caltrans which required the documents to be revised and resubmitted. In addition to their comments, Caltrans also required additional documents, including a Water Quality Memorandum and a Noise Technical Memorandum, which were not part of Quad Knopf’s original agreement.
Quad Knop’s contract was amended in March 2013, for an additional $4,800, to complete the revisions and prepare the additional documents. Again, the City received comments from Caltrans regarding the Natural Environmental Study (NES) which required the documents to be revised and resubmitted. In March 2015, Quad Knopf’s agreement was amended for an additional $2,000 to complete the NES revisions.
To avoid further environmental delays, the project scope will be altered by adjusting the project boundaries. The existing boundary extends from Buena Vista Drive to 16th Street. The revised boundary will be from Buena Vista Drive connecting to the existing concrete bike path behind Walmart. The revised project scope was presented to the Bicycle Advisory Commission at their October 27, 2015 meeting.
The proposed Third Amendment is for $27,054 and includes revising the NES, completion of CEQA documents, and completion of three water permits. To date, Quad Knopf’s contract totals $27,977.
The City Attorney has prepared and approved to form the amendment and it is signed by the consultant (Attachment 4).
HISTORY AND PAST ACTIONS
In connection with preliminary engineering for the project, on July 18, 2011, City Council adopted a resolution approving State Program Supplement 012-N, accepted and appropriated the $205,920 CMAQ Grant, and approved the transfer of $28,080 in matching funds.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This project was established as a Capital Improvement Project and account 450-1104-637.65-00-111066 contains sufficient funding to complete the project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement for Professional Services
2. First Amendment
3. Second Amendment
4. Proposed Third Amendment