Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: raul godinez, interim public works director PREPARED BY: david grantham, principal civil engineer
SUBJECT: UNION AVENUE BRIDGE REPAIR
SUMMARY
Award $222,865 construction contract to Oak Hollow Restoration, Inc. for the Union Avenue Bridge Repair project.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve plans and specifications for the Union Avenue Bridge Repair Project.
Approve $250,000 budget transfer and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds (Fund 74) appropriation from Project 44589 Residential Street Program to Project 48007 Union Avenue Bridge Repair Project (Fund 74).
Award $222,865 construction contract for the Union Avenue Bridge Repair project to Oak Hollow Restoration, Inc. and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute and administer the contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Authorize Public Works Director, or designee, to approve any future change orders for construction and professional engineering construction support services within the approved project budget.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager recommends approval.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Public Safety
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Capital Improvement Projects Budget has sufficient funding for Project 48007 Union Avenue Bridge Repair. Staff recommends a $250,000 budget transfer and ARPA Funds appropriation from Project 44589 Residential Street Program to Project 48007 Union Avenue Bridge Repair (Fund 74).
Staff seeks reimbursement from a private citizen’s insurance company, however, staff does not anticipate the insurance coverage would fully reimburse the project costs.
Staff has attached a Budget Data Sheet and the Contractor proposal for reference (Attachment 1 and 2).
DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton constructed the Union Avenue bridge in the 1930s. The bridge, considered a historic City structure, spans the Brea Creek drainage channel and provides both vehicular and pedestrian traffic access, including access for students and faculty attending the adjacent Fullerton High School.
A suspected drunk driver severely damaged the northerly bridge railing on December 17, 2022. The City closed the northerly sidewalk to the public since that time with barriers to protect vehicular traffic. Staff submitted an insurance claim and awaits a response. The City may only receive a small percentage of the repair cost, depending on insurance limits, leaving the City to cover the cost difference. Staff recommends using street funds for this project. However, this unplanned repair may impact the ability to complete all programmed street projects for FY 2022-23.
Staff contacted two recommended bridge contractors for sole source proposals to repair and restore the bridge railing and determine the preferred construction method, due to the age of the bridge structure and no available recorded construction plans. One contractor did not respond and the other suggested constructing an entirely different solid railing and fencing system. The City did not accept this approach as the railing requires restoration to match existing and the southerly bridge railing.
Staff then contacted Oak Hollow Restoration, Inc. who has extensive experience with historic buildings and structures and has successfully completed restoration services on other historic City facilities. Oak Hollow submitted a $222,865 proposal for this project. Staff reviewed the proposal and found it acceptable based on prior qualifications and experience. Staff determined Oak Hollow can restore the railing by constructing a cast-in-place railing system that will restore the historic appearance of the bridge. Staff recommends awarding a construction contract to Oak Hollow utilizing sole source purchasing in compliance with the City’s procurement policy and procedures.
Construction operations would locate scaffolding in the Brea Creek Channel and which requires an Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) encroachment permit. Staff would schedule work for the summer months to avoid potential storm water runoff conditions in the channel and comply with OCFCD requirements.
Staff has prepared an environmental assessment in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines and determined that the project is categorically exempt.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Budget Data Sheet
Attachment 2 – Oak Hollow Proposal
Attachment 3 – Project Location Map
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Union Avenue Bridge Repair
June 20, 2023 - Page 2