Fremont City Council Meeting: 11/12/24 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5300) DOC ID: 5300
Updated: 11/6/2024 4:00 PM by Dina Lewis Page 1
I-680/NORTH MISSION BOULEVARD INTERCHANGE MODERNIZATION PROJECT - Approval of Professional Services Agreement with WMH, Inc., in the Amount of $7,149,550.00 (Including 15% Contingency) for Environmental Clearance and Design Services for the I-680/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project (PWC 9021); Appropriation Actions; Make Findings of CEQA Exemption.
Contact Persons:
Name: Jian Huang Hans Larsen
Title: Senior Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4733 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to facilitate the environmental clearance and design of the Interstate 680 (I-680)/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project (Project). The Project will improve safety and enhance multimodal mobility at the interchange that currently experiences large vehicle overturning crashes, heavy congestion during the evening peak commute hours, and lacks appropriate pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
BACKGROUND: In September 2021, the California State Legislature approved SB 170 which made appropriations for a variety of statewide legislative priorities. Pursuant to Section 174 of SB 170, $7.2 million was appropriated from the State General Fund to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to be allocated to the City of Fremont for the Project. On June 21, 2022, the City Council appropriated Senate Bill 170 funds in the amount of $7.2 million to the Project and approved the funding agreement with Caltrans for the transfer of the grant.
The Project will improve safety and enhance multimodal mobility at the I-680/North Mission Boulevard interchange. The southbound offramp will be redesigned to address the severe safety issues associated with a history of overturning trucks at the intersection with Mission Boulevard. The Project will improve traffic operations to ease congestion along Mission Boulevard, and it will enhance accessibility through the interchange for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Project Study Report-Project Development Support document for the Project was approved by Caltrans in March 2023. The project approval and environmental clearance phase is scheduled to begin in early 2025, and the design phase is tentatively scheduled to start in 2027. Project construction is tentatively scheduled for 2029, subject to funding.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: On July 15, 2024, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for environmental clearance and design services related for the Project. Two proposals were received on August 9, 2024, from the following firms, listed alphabetically: Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. and WMH, Inc. The proposals were evaluated by a selection panel composed of City staff, using criteria that included completeness of response, qualifications and experience, organization and approach, scope of services to be provided, schedule of work, Council Staff Report (ID # 5300) Meeting of November 12, 2024 Updated: 11/6/2024 4:00 PM by Dina Lewis Page 2
local presence, and references. The consultant team led by WMH, Inc. was selected as the top-ranked firm based on their proposal.
FISCAL IMPACT: The consultant fee for the design services for I-680/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project is $6,217,000 with an additional $932,550 of contingency for a total fee amount of $7,149,550. The design fee for the Consultant will be funded with the appropriated Senate Bill 170 funds in the amount of $7.2 million. Additional funding in the amount of $300,000 is needed for City staff project management expenses.
Staff therefore recommends allocating $300,000 in unallocated Traffic Impact Fee fund balance (Fund 531) to PWC9021. With the approval of the recommended allocation of funds to the project, there will be sufficient funds for the design consultant contract and to cover staff time for the I-680/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Environmental review is not required for the recommended actions because project design work and funding transactions are not a project within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) and 15378(b) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility they will have a significant effect on the environment and these are administrative activities that will not result in an effect on the physical environment.
Appropriate environmental review will be prepared for this project as part of the professional services provided with this service agreement.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the following actions related to the I-680/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project (PWC9021):
1. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute a Professional Services Agreement with WMH, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $7,149,550 for environmental clearance and design services.
2. Allocate $300,000 from unallocated Traffic Impact Fee fund balance – Fund 531 and appropriate it to PWC9021-531.
3. Find that the actions are exempt from environmental review, each as a separate and independent bases for CEQA compliance, under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15378 (administrative and funding activity not a “project” under CEQA) and Section 15061 (no possibility the activity may have significant effect on the environment).