Report Prepared by: John C. Sagin Jr, AIA, Principal Architect - Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Cooperative Work Agreement (CWA) Cycle 13 Funds Subject to Lapsing on June 30, 2016
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers a submittal to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requesting an extension for preliminary funds subject to lapsing for the Bear Creek Bike Path Project and acknowledging completion of the preliminary phase for the Black Rascal Creek Bike Path.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the CWA Cycle 13 Submittal, 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. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced (City) has received notification from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that the Bear Creek Bike Path and Black Rascal Creek Bike Path projects have unliquidated balances that will lapse on June 30, 2016. The City has the option to request a CWA extension if the project has a justified reason for delay, otherwise the City must acknowledge that the funding obligation will lapse.
Bear Creek Bike Path Project:
The City of Merced received $205,920 in grant funds to complete the preliminary phase of the Bear Creek Bike Path Project. The project has been in an ongoing environmental review status, and has not yet received the necessary environmental clearance to proceed with design. Specifically, the portion along Bear Creek has not been able to clear the environmental stage. The City has expended $87,125 in grant funding to date, with an unliquidated balance of $118,795 for the project.
To avoid further delays, and to ensure the project can proceed with design and construction, the City will be altering the scope of the project by narrowing the project boundaries. The project currently extends from Buena Vista Drive to 16th Street along Bear Creek and the State Route 59 corridor. The revised boundary will be from Buena Vista Drive connecting to the existing concrete bike path behind Walmart. The portion along Bear Creek will be eliminated (attachment 2). The revised project scope was presented to the Bicycle Advisory Commission at their October 27, 2015 meeting.
As the environmental/preliminary phase is ongoing, staff recommends requesting a CWA extension to complete the project (attachment 1). If a request is not approved, the project will not be able to proceed to construction.
Black Rascal Creek Bike Path Project:
The City of Merced received $132,000 in grant funds to complete the preliminary phase of the Black Rascal Creek Bike Path Project. Fortunately, the costs associated with environmental clearance and preliminary design were well under the anticipated budget, coming in at $81,575 in grant funding. The construction phase of the Black Rascal Creek project is currently under way, and is anticipated to be completed December 2015.
As the preliminary phase has already been completed, the City must acknowledge the remaining unliquidated balance of $50,425 in preliminary engineering funds will lapse as of June 30, 2016 for this project (attachment 1).
HISTORY AND PAST ACTIONS
On July 18, 2011, 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 for the preliminary engineering costs associated with the Bear Creek Bike Path Project 111066.
Also at the July 18, 2011 meeting, Council adopted a resolution approving State Program Supplement 011-N, accepted and appropriated the $132,000 CMAQ Grant, and approved the transfer of $18,000 in matching funds for the preliminary engineering costs associated with the Black Rascal Creek Bike Path Project 111065.
On September 2, 2014, Council accepted and appropriated the $388,000 CMAQ Grant and approved the transfer of $53,000 in matching funds for the construction of the Black Rascal Creek Bike Path Project 111065.
On November 3, 2014, Council awarded the Black Rascal Creek Bike Path Project 111065 to Avison Construction, Inc., in the amount of $329,435.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CWA Cycle 13 Submittal
2. Site Plan