Agenda Item No: P.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: July 1, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-121 PW Markeley Lane Reconnection Project
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Bennett Engineering Services Inc., to Provide Design Services for the Markeley Lane Reconnection Project
Funding Source: $579,438; Intragovernmental Services Fund
Contact: Ryan Panganiban, (707) 428-7017
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Markeley Lane Reconnection Project (CPW070126 or Project) is regionally significant and has been identified as a priority by the City Council, Travis Unified School District, and residents of both Fairfield and Vacaville. To advance the Project from concept to construction, professional design services are required to complete environmental clearance, right-of-way acquisition, and plans, specifications, and the engineer’s estimates. Staff recommend the council authorize the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Bennett Engineering Services, Inc. (Bennett), thereby enabling the City to proceed with the Project.
DISCUSSION
The Project proposes construction of a 0.20-mile, two-lane residential collector extending from Peabody Road to Viking Lane. The scope of work includes sidewalks and bike lanes to enhance safety and provide more direct access for pedestrians and cyclists. A roundabout is proposed at the intersection of Peabody Road and Viking Lane. A key benefit of the Project is the provision of secondary access to nearby elementary, middle, and high schools, helping to reduce congestion at the Peabody Road and Whitney Drive intersection.
Project History
In 2011, the council adopted the Train Station Specific Plan (Specific Plan) for a new growth area in northeast Fairfield. The Specific Plan anticipates the development of 6,000 housing units, 30- acres of new commercial development and a new industrial business park. To accommodate northeast development the Specific Plan identified the need to improve the existing transportation network. These improvements include widening and complete street improvements to Peabody Road, Manuel Campos Parkway, and Vanden Road. The Specific Plan identifies the design and construction of the Project as a developer obligation for t he master planned community immediately south of the Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan Train Station ( Train Station), known as Planning Area 3.
In 2016, the City completed construction of the new six-lane Peabody Road between Huntington Drive and Vanden Road. The new Peabody Road included a grade-separated overcrossing of the existing railroad tracks, which significantly enhanc es motorist safety and reduces traffic congestion along the corridor by eliminating motorists dwell time waiting for trains at the at - grade crossing . The $22 million capital improvement project , which included significant improvements to the existing Union Pacific Railroad tracks, was fully funded through state and regional grant sources. City staff had accounted for the Markeley Lane disconnection by building Viking Lane in 2012 as an alternate access road. Traffic studies showed that Viking Lane served as a replacement for Markeley Lane access at the time. Over time, and as the Specific Plan area has continued to develop, an unintended consequence of the disconnect of Markeley Lane is school-related traffic being funneled to the intersection of Whitney Drive and Huntington Drive, contributing to localized congestion.
On June 20, 2023, staff provided background, status, and plans for the extension of Markeley Lane to Peabody Road. Following public comments and council discussion, the council provided direction to return with options and a list of projects for potential reprioritization to incorporate the Markeley Lane project into the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Staff returned on July 18, 2023, and presented on the CIP and options to add the Project. After further discussions, the council directed staff to accelerate the delivery of the Project as a city-led effort.
On June 4, 2024, p er Resolution No. 2024-132, the council reappropriated $3.1 million savings from the cancellation of the West Texas Relief Sewer Project where $1.8 million was transferred to the Intragovernmental Services Fund which is appropriated to the Markeley Lane Extension Project (CPW070126).
Procurement Process
In December 2024, staff began the procurement process to select a consultant team for the design of the Project. A proposal was initially solicited from a pre-qualified consultant to prepare the plans, specifications, and engineer’s estimate (PS&E). While a proposal was received in mid- February 2025, the proposed scope and cost exceeded expectations. To ensure a competitive and cost -effective selection, staff expanded the process by requesting proposals from two additional pre-qualified consultant teams. The two additional proposals were received in April and the evaluation committee determined that Bennett was the most qualified for the Project.
Bennett will progress the concept drawings from 65% to 95% and develop construction-ready PS&E packages. The preliminary estimate to construct the Project is approximately $ 3.5 million.
Construction funding has not been identified, and staff recommends the Bennett team conduct environmental clearance procedures in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to prepare the Project to be eligible for both state and federal grant opportunities.
Staff have negotiated a fair and reasonable fee for the proposed scope of work and are requesting a 20% management reserve to account for additional environmental studies and right -of-way needs. Bennett anticipates their work to be completed in 12-15 months; however, several factors may affect the Project schedule. These include property owner negotiations for land acquisitions, permitting requirements from resource agencies for protected habitats, and coordination with outside agencies and utility companies. Approval of this resolution will allow the city manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement with Bennett in an amount not-to-exceed $579,438.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The professional service agreement with Bennett for engineering design services will authorize a contract for an amount not -to-exceed $579,438 plus a 20% management reserve . Total authorization for this contract would be $695,326. Funding for agreement is captured in the Capital Streets Fund (Fund 252; Project No. CPW070126).
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may decide to postpone execution of the design agreement until a private developer resumes entitlement activities for Planning Area 3. An additional consideration is to proactively engage developers to explore opportunities for joint funding and coordination of the Project’s implementation. However, currently no active development applications are under review by the City, and there are no guarantees that private developers will pursue or prioritize the construction of Markeley Lane.
COORDINATED WITH
Community and Economic Development Department
STAFF CONTACT
David Vong, Senior Civil Engineer
(707) 428-7784
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Professional Services Agreement