1 6
5 4
Consent Calendar
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: February 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Tanya Romo, Acting City Manager;
Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Award of Task Order with Rick Engineering for a Raised Median Installation on Rialto Ave at Metrolink Railroad Crossing in the amount of $59,590 (Ward 3 & 6)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Approve the award of a Task Order with Rick Engineering in the amount of $59,590 for the Raised Median Installation on Rialto Ave at Metrolink Railroad Crossing (Project); and
2. Authorize the project design cost and contingency cost for unforeseen conditions costs for a potential agreement in the total amount of $5,959.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents with Rick Engineering; and
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to expend the contingency fund, if necessary, to complete the project.
Executive Summary
Awarding the Task Order for the Raised Median Installation on Rialto Ave at the Metrolink Railroad Crossings will help prevent vehicles from making illegal maneuvers to bypass incoming Metrolink trains. The Task Order will authorize the City to issue a Notice to Proceed with Rick Engineering, allowing the design process to begin. This Task Order is being issued through an existing pre-approved on-call firm list, and the design services will be funded by Measure S. 1 6
5 4
Background
Metrolink has reported multiple collisions between trains and automobiles traveling on Rialto Avenue at the Metrolink crossing between Meridian Avenue and Macy Street. This concerning trend has prompted a call for action to improve safety at the crossing. There is an existing agreement between the City of San Bernardino and Metrolink, which outlines that any public right-of-way issues related to the railroad crossing are the responsibility of the City. In response to these safety concerns, Metrolink, with the support of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), has urged the City to take immediate steps to make necessary improvements. One proposed solution is the installation of a raised median at the crossing, which will help improve safety by controlling vehicle movements and reducing the risk of illegal maneuvers made by vehicles at this location.
On June 5, 2024, the City Council held a public hearing to present the City Manager's proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2024/25 and Fiscal Year 2025/26. The continuation of this hearing on June 26, 2024, allowed for further discussion and provided an opportunity for the Council to review and approve the City Manager's FY 2025 Operating Budget, as well as the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2025- 2029. However, a one-year budget for FY 2024/25 was adopted at this time.
Funding for the Project was established with $70,000 allocated for FY 2024/25 in Measure S.
Staff recommends implementing a raised median at this railroad crossing to meet the current standards for Metrolink/ Southern California Regional Rail Authority and the CPUC.
With this implementation, Staff intends to enhance vehicle shielding by controlling movements and fortifying the travel path for vehicles versus trains. The raised median will help prevent vehicles from making illegal maneuvers, such as crossing the centerline to go around the railroad gate arms and will provide clearer separation between traffic lanes.
Discussion
This project aims to eliminate conflicts between trains and automobiles at the Metrolink Railroad Crossing on Rialto Ave. The consultant will assist the City in evaluating the feasibility of the raised median design, analyzing the appropriate materials and construction methods, and addressing other initial planning considerations and coordinating approval and permitting from Metrolink. City staff has provided the consultant key aspects of the median design that are most critical to address within the current project budget. The consultant will help develop plans, specifications, and estimates that can be advertised within the available budget.
Staff utilized the On-Call Consultant Services list, approved by the Mayor and City Council on November 16, 2022, to solicit proposals for the Rialto Median project at the Metrolink crossing. A design proposal was sent to six qualified firms from the list, and two firms responded with their proposals. Willdan Engineering notified staff 1 6
5 4
that they were currently unable to take on the railroad median design at this time and declined to bid. The received proposals were carefully reviewed to assess each firm's qualifications, experience, and approach to the project, ensuring that the selected consultant can provide the most effective design for the crossing improvement.
Proposals City Fee
Willdan Engineering Industry, CA Decline to Bid
TKE Consultants Riverside, CA $73,175.00
Rick Engineering Riverside, CA $59,590.00
The two received proposals were evaluated, and Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve a Task Order in the amount of $59,590 with Rick Engineering of Riverside, CA for Design Services for this Project. Staff also recommends that City Council approve a design contingency of $5,959, for a total agreement amount of $65,549.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This project aligns with the City's Key Strategic Target and Goal No. 3: Improved Quality of Life, specifically section C, which focuses on evaluating and enhancing public safety services. By implementing a raised median at the Metrolink Railroad Crossing on Rialto Avenue, the City aims to eliminate conflicts between trains and vehicles, improving traffic flow through the crossing on this segment of the roadway.
Fiscal Impact
The cost of this design services totals to $65,549.00 will be funded through Measure S, as allocated in the FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Approve the award of a Task Order with Rick Engineering in the amount of $59,590 for the Raised Median Installation on Rialto Ave at Metrolink Railroad Crossing (Project); and
2. Authorize the project design cost and contingency cost for unforeseen conditions costs for a potential agreement in the total amount of $65,549.
BudgetTask Order with Rick Engineering$59,590.00Design Contingency $5,959.00Total Agreement $65,549.00 1 6
5 4
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents with Rick Engineering; and
4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to expend the contingency fund, if necessary, to complete the project.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Task Order to Rick Engineering
Attachment 2 Proposal from Rick Engineering
Attachment 3 Location Map
Ward:
Third and Sixth Ward
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 26, 2024 Continuation of June 5, 2024, Public Hearing: Presentation of the City Manager’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2024/25 & Fiscal year 2025/26 Budget and Approval of the City Manager’s FY 2025 & FY 2026 Operating Budget & CIP 2025-2029 (All
Wards).