Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Acceptance of the Wayfinding Signage Project - Phase 2 (Kiosks) Project Date: February 28, 2023
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a resolution accepting the Wayfinding Signage - Phase 2 (Kiosks) Project improvements, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35 day noticing period with no protests.
Background
The City of Cotati maintains, and when possible, improves and expands the network of multi-use trails, bike lanes and bike routes within Cotati. Some of these facilities are local to our residents and others are components of a larger, regional system, providing alternative transportation opportunities to county users.
The City adopted an updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in 2014. The plan identifies the need for a signage program and lists it as a high priority project. A signage program for bicycles is also listed as a high priority (Priority 1) project in the Downtown Specific Plan, adopted in 2009.
On June 28, 2017, the City was awarded a $90,000, TDA grant. The City used this funding to design a system of Wayfinding signage including informational kiosks. The design effort included a series of public workshops. Following completion of design, City local funding was used to construct the signage Project elements and, due to limited funding, the kiosks were not constructed with the initial phase of construction. The second construction phase consists primarily of kiosks and informational signage.
Analysis/Discussion
The Wayfinding Signage Project (Project) work has been completed and is recommended for City Council acceptance. The Project generally consists of the fabrication and installation of thirteen wayfinding signs/kiosks and mounting interpretive information panels on the kiosks. The kiosks are located near City Hall/Civic Center Park, La Plaza Park, and then three in the downtown area along Old Redwood Highway. The kiosks have a combination of wayfinding/map information and interpretive panels.
The construction contract was awarded on July 27, 2021, and field work began in early 2022, following the fabrication of the signs and approval of kiosk materials submitted by the contractor.
Final inspection was completed on January 26, 2023, and the work was determined to be substantially completed in accordance with the Project requirements and the City Engineer is recommending the Project for acceptance by City Council. Following City Council Acceptance, a Notice-of-Completion is to be filed with the County Recorder and, after thirty-five days, if no protests ae received, the City is to release the retention to the Contractor.
Note that the interpretive panels have not yet been finalized and installed due to lack of response from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR). Given the indeterminate amount of time needed to get this feedback and the already protracted construction schedule, staff directed the contractor to create placeholder panels with the city logo on them reduce the on-going tagging (attractive nuisance) and to release the contractor. When the City receives feedback from FIGR at some point in the future, the City will finish the interpretive panels and have them installed by Public Works.
Financial Considerations
The City’s adopted FY21/22 budget includes $250,000 for the Project. This budget was carried over into FY22/23 and adjusted to $307,545 upon award of the construction contract. All work was completed and professional services provided for a total amount of $306,779, which is below the authorized budgeted amount. Remaining funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund balance.
Environmental Issues
The Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15301 Existing Facilities as the signage constitutes minor alterations to existing facilities; and under Section 15311 accessory structures including signs.