CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 27, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO REQUEST TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
ON A STATE GRANT TO DEVELOP A LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
(LRSP) AND RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO
SOLICIT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PREPARE A
LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN (LRSP)
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to consider a Resolution of the City Council to authorize the City Engineer (or designee) to submit an application to Caltrans for the allocation of $40,000 in state grant funding, and to consider a second Resolution of the City Council to authorize the City Engineer (or designee) to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit professional engineering services to prepare a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) intended for a contract amount not-toexceed $40,000.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City is submitting an application to the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the allocation of state grant funds to develop a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). LRSP provides a framework for the City to systematically evaluate and address multimodal transportation safety needs citywide. An LRSP is required for the City to be eligible to apply for current and future Federal and State transportation grants. Caltrans had identified a State grant, which is available upon request for the City of Pleasant Hill.
Federal regulations require that the City prepare a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) to address roadway safety in its own jurisdiction and to support the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) mandate, a statewide approach to improve roadway safety. The SHSP addresses the “4Es” of traffic safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Services. Preparing an LRSP facilitates the development of local agency partnerships and collaboration, resulting in a prioritized list of improvements and actions that can demonstrate a defined need and supports the statewide plan. LRSP offers a proactive approach to addressing citywide transportation safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness to safety challenges. LRSP provides a framework for organizing stakeholders to identify, analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads.
In late 2019, Caltrans announced a Call-for-Projects for an LRSP from local agencies statewide.
On October 20, 2021, Caltrans published an updated list of LRSP State grants available to local agencies. The LRSP State grant maximum amount available to the City of Pleasant Hill is determined by Caltrans $40,000, based on the City’s current population and total road miles.
Caltrans will reimburse the City up to $36,000 or a maximum of 90 percent of the State grant amount. The City of is required to contribute up to $4,000 or a minimum of 10 percent of the State grant amount.
The State grant is designated for preliminary engineering only, and not for planning, environmental, right-of-way, construction, or construction management. Preliminary engineering scope of work includes the following: collects historical collision data and roadway data, identifies potential roadway hazards, develops solutions, recommends safety improvements, prioritizes implementation, outlines stakeholder outreach efforts, documents finding, and prepares a report.
The City intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to invite proposals from engineering firms to prepare a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) in accordance with the LRSP State grant mandates, as outlined in the Call-for-Projects, for a professional services agreement, and the contract is intended for an amount not to exceed $40,000.
Analysis
LRSP provides a framework for the City to systematically evaluate and address multimodal transportation safety citywide using historical collision data and roadway data. Recommended action plans, projects, and prioritization will be identified in the LRSP report.
The professional engineering services proposal evaluation and consultant selection process will be qualification based and competitive in accordance with the City of Pleasant Hill Purchasing Procedures, Purchasing and Contracts Code (City Municipal Code, Section 5.10), and applicable State laws and regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s contribution of four thousand dollars ($4,000) is required to receive a State grant.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) is for a professional services agreement and the contract is intended for an amount not to exceed $40,000. The LRSP will be funded by the State grant.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends Council adopt the proposed resolutions.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Do not adopt the Resolutions.
If the City Council chooses not to adopt the proposed Resolution for a State grant, the City would need to seek other outside funding sources to implement the LRSP project, and the City would not be eligible to seek current and future Federal and State transportation grants.
If the City Council chooses not to adopt the proposed Resolution for a Request for Proposal (RFP), the City would be unable to meet LRSP delivery deadline.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Resolution (State Grant)
Proposed Resolution (Request for Proposal)
Prepared by: Philip Ho, Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager