Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.B
Meeting Date: December 11, 2024
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Contract Award for Design Professional Services to STC Traffic, Inc. for the SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program for Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways Project (C08673) and
Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes Project (C08672).
RECOMMENDATION:
•To award a professional services agreement to STC Traffic, Inc. for the SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities program to prepare the plans, specifications, right of way and environmental documents for the:
oPerez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways project (C08673), in the amount of $31,760.00; and approve a ten percent (10%) contingency for unforeseen design related contingencies in the amount of $3,240.00; thereby bringing the total design encumbrance for this project to $35,000.00; and, oWhispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes project (C08672), in the amount of $31,760.00; and approve a ten percent (10%) contingency for unforeseen design related contingencies in the amount of $3,240.00; thereby bringing the total design encumbrance for this project to $35,000.00; and, •Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.
BACKGROUND:
On February 8, 2023, the City Council accepted the Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which established a community-wide pedestrian and bike network plan and identified specific target infrastructure improvements for alternate modes of transportation. The ATP identified the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways and the Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes as high-scoring priority projects to be considered first when opportunities arose.
On April 2023, the engineering staff submitted two SB 821 program grant applications for the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways and Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes to the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC).
In July 2023, RCTC informed the city that both projects were selected for SB 821 funding awards. The project descriptions and characteristics are as follows:
Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways (C08673)
The Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways project proposes improvements on Perez Road from Cathedral Canyon Drive to Date Palm Drive. The proposed improvements include installing a 7-foot bike lane adjacent to the existing curb and a 4-foot horizontal buffer zone with vertical flexible post delineators spaced 10-feet apart on both sides of the road. If funding allows, a six-inch curb may also be installed. The project will include pavement markings at conflict points with intersection crossings and driveways, a bicycle box for the westbound approach at Cathedral Canyon Drive, bicycle and vehicle loop detection at the signalized intersections, pavement improvements to ensure a smooth and level surface for bicyclists, and new roadway signage and striping.
The proposed project will provide a critically needed east-west bicycle facility providing a connection to major local roadways, transit and adjacent key community destinations. These improvements will increase the active transportation network connectivity by providing access to alternative modes of travel.
Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes (C08672)
The Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes project proposes improvements on Whispering Palms Trail from 30th Avenue to Dinah Shore Drive. The proposed improvements include installing shared lane/sharrow pavement markings, bicycle route and wayfinding signage, and bicycle boxes and bicycle detection for the northbound and southbound approaches of Whispering Palms Trail at Ramon Road. Leveraging the FY 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan, pavement improvements on Whispering Palms between 33rd Avenue and Ortega Road (PCI = 34) will ensure a smooth and level surface for bicyclists with new roadway signage and striping.
The proposed project will provide a critically needed north-south bicycle facility connecting residential areas to local schools, transit, and adjacent key community destinations. These improvements will increase the active transportation network connectivity and provide enhanced safety for residents that walk and bike on the project corridor to reach key local and regional community destinations.
Project vicinity maps for both projects are included as Attachment 1.
On August 23, 2023, the City Council executed funding agreements with RCTC for the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways and Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes Projects. The execution of these agreements represents the City’s commitment to fund the projects and provide local matching funds to receive grant reimbursements. The city has 36 months to complete the projects from the date of these agreements.
DISCUSSION:
City staff solicited a request for qualifications/ proposals (RFQ/P) for the engineering design services of Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways and Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes projects. The RFQ/P was advertised in the Desert Sun on October 9, 2024, and October 21, 2024. The RFQ/P was also posted on the City’s website from October 9, 2024, until October 29, 2024.
Within the RFQ/P, engineering consultants specializing in this type of work were asked to provide their qualifications to perform the work. Additionally, cost proposals were required to be provided in a separate, sealed envelope. All proposals were submitted to the City by October 29, 2024.
Four consultant companies responded to the RFP and are listed below:
HR Green Pacific, Inc. Palm Desert, CA
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Palm Desert, CA
STC Traffic, Inc. Carlsbad, CA
West & Associates Engineering, Inc. Foothill Ranch, CA
Proposals were reviewed, evaluated, and scored by staff from the Engineering and Public Works Divisions using Federal and State evaluation protocols. Based on the evaluations, STC Traffic, Inc. (STC) was determined to be the most qualified consultant for the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways and Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes projects. Staff reviewed STC’s cost proposals and determined that these cost proposals are in line with industry rates for similar services and within the amount allocated for design by the SB 821 grant. A table showing the proposal evaluation and rankings is included as Attachment 2.
City staff is requesting the City Council to:
•Award a professional services agreement to STC Traffic, Inc. for the SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program to prepare the plans, specifications, right of way and environmental documents for the:
oPerez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways project (C08673), in the amount of $31,760.00; and approve a ten percent (10%) contingency for unforeseen design related contingencies in the amount of $3,240.00; thereby bringing the total design encumbrance for this project to $35,000.00; and, oWhispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes project (C08672), in the amount of $31,760.00; and approve a ten percent (10%) contingency for unforeseen design related contingencies in the amount of $3,240.00; thereby bringing the total design encumbrance for this project to $35,000.00; and, •Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The grant funding awarded for each project is based on the total project cost estimated for the City’s SB 821 grant application. The costs eligible for reimbursement through the SB 821 Grant include administration, preliminary engineering and environmental documents, and construction.
Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways (C08673)
The total project cost estimate for the SB 821 grant application was $680,000. The Grant award is for $510,000 (75%) thus leaving $170,000 (25%) as the City’s participation amount.
STC’s proposal for the preliminary engineering and environmental documents of this project is in the amount of $31,760. Additionally, city staff is proposing to include a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $3,240, for unforeseen design related expenses, thereby bringing the total design budget to $35,000.
The preliminary engineering (PE) for the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways project (C08673) will be funded with the TDA Fund (240) in the amount of $26,250 from SB 821 grant funds (75%), and the City’s participation (25%) from General Fund MOE (Fund 100) in the amount of $8,750, as shown below.
FISCAL
YEAR DESCRIPTION
GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2024-2025 SB 821 Grant Funds 240-100-150-
156-8600-8601 C08673 $26,250 ONE TIME
2024-2025 General Fund MOE
(Local Match)
100-100-150-
156-8600-8601 C08673 $8,750 ONE TIME
2024-2025 Total $35,000
Staff are requesting expenditure authorization from the TDA Fund (240) and the General Fund (100) totaling $35,000 to complete the preliminary engineering phase for the Perez Road Class IV Separated Bikeways project (C08673).
Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes (C08672)
The total Project cost estimate for this SB 821 grant application was estimated at $1,062,000.
The Grant award is for $690,000 (65%) thus leaving $372,000 (35%) as the City’s participation amount.
STC’s proposal for the preliminary engineering of this project is in the amount of $31,760.
Additionally, city staff is proposing to include a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $3,240, for unforeseen design related expenses, thereby bringing the total design budget to $35,000.
The preliminary engineering (PE) for the Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes project (C08672) will be funded with the TDA Fund (240) in the amount of $22,750 from SB 821 grant funds (65%), and the City’s participation (35%) from General Fund MOE (Fund 100) in the amount of $12,250, as shown below.
FISCAL
YEAR DESCRIPTION
GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2024-2025 SB 821 Grant Funds 240-100-150-
156-8600-8601 C08673 $22,750 ONE TIME
2024-2025 General Fund MOE
(Local Match)
100-100-150-
156-8600-8601 C08673 $12,250 ONE TIME
2024-2025 Total $35,000
Staff is requesting expenditure authorization from the TDA Fund (240) and the General Fund (100) totaling $35,000 to complete the preliminary engineering phase for the Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes project (C08672).
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
GOAL B: COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other city infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. SB 821 Projects - Vicinity Map
2. Proposal Evaluation and Ranking
3. STC Traffic Inc. - Work Proposal
4. STC Traffic Inc. - Cost Proposal
5. STC Traffic Inc. - Professional Design Services Agreement for Perez Road Class IV Bikeways (C08673)
6. STC Traffic Inc. - Professional Design Services Agreement for Whispering Palms Trail Class III Bike Routes (C08672)