TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Ristow
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 25, 2022
Approved Date
4/26/2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 6
SUBJECT: CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH DKS ASSOCIATES FOR THE
BASCOM AVENUE HIGHWAY-RAIL TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute a Consultant Agreement between the City of San José (City) and DKS Associates, for an amount not to exceed $339,446 for design engineering consultant services for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project.
OUTCOME
This agreement provides for development of engineering documents as required to design a new traffic signal at the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Crossing on the Vasona railroad corridor. The purpose of the traffic signal is to mitigate potential vehicle queues over the tracks as a result of other changes on Bascom Avenue, including the new traffic signal, lane reductions, and improved bicycle facilities in support of the Bascom Complete Streets Project.
BACKGROUND
The Vasona rail corridor crosses Bascom Avenue at-grade just north of the Bascom Avenue/ Southwest Expressway intersection. This crossing sees a fair volume of train activity, including 116 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail and four Union Pacific Railroad freight train crossings daily. The Bascom Light Rail Station is five hundred feet northeast of the Bascom Avenue rail crossing. Bascom Avenue at the rail crossing is currently a six-lane arterial (three lanes in each direction) and serves 22,000-37,000 vehicles daily.
In 2020, VTA completed the Bascom Corridor Complete Streets Study, a planning effort to prioritize bicycle, pedestrian, and transit travel while still serving motorists, in partnership with COUNCIL AGENDA: 05/10/22
FILE: 22-649
ITEM: 2.12
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 25, 2022
Subject: Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
the City, the City of Campbell, and the County of Santa Clara. The study recommended multimodal enhancements on Bascom Avenue, including a three-to-two lane reduction in each direction, an enhanced bike facility, and new signalized crossings. The City will implement the lane reduction on Bascom Avenue from Hamilton Avenue to Fruitdale Avenue as part of its 2024 pavement program. The Bascom Gateway Development at 1410 Bascom Avenue will construct a new traffic signal at the Bascom Avenue/Pamlar Avenue intersection, expected by year 2025.
City staff conducted a preliminary traffic operational analysis to understand the impacts of these changes on the rail crossing. This analysis identified that vehicle queues on Bascom Avenue would extend over the Bascom Avenue rail crossing in the northbound lanes. Considering the large volumes of trains and vehicles using this crossing, and the potential queue backup conflict, VTA and City staff agreed that robust traffic control, for example a queue-cutter traffic signal, is needed to mitigate the risk of collisions between trains and vehicles.
ANALYSIS
In December 2021, a Request for Proposal was issued to solicit consultant proposals for operational analysis and engineering design. The City received proposals from three consultant firms. Staff from the Transportation and Public Works departments and VTA evaluated the proposals in accordance with adopted City policies.
The criteria used to evaluate the proposals are as follows:
• Proposal Responsiveness Pass/Fail
• Qualifications and Relevant Experience
50%
• Approach 35%
• Local Business Enterprise 5%
• Small Business Enterprise 5%
• Fee Structure 5%
Upon review and rating of the submitted proposals, DKS Associates was selected as the highest ranked consultant based on the criteria. The DKS Associates’ proposal showcased previous experience and vast knowledge relating to this unique project. No objections or protests were filed in the selection process. The results of the staff evaluations of the consultants’ proposals are in the table below.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 25, 2022
Subject: Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
Consultant Final Score
DKS Associates 87
Rail Surveyors and Engineers 86
JMA Civil 79
DKS Associates will be the prime consultant for the project and has teamed with two subconsultants and two independent experts to provide specialized services in the areas of roadway design, rail crossing analysis, and railroad signal design.
CONCLUSION
City Council’s execution of the consultant agreement with DKS Associates will provide for the engineering services needed to prepare the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal project for construction.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Upon design completion, staff will return to City Council to award the construction contract.
CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
The recommendation in this memorandum aligns with one or more Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals. The project will provide safety measures at the rail crossing which are needed to support multimodal improvements on the Bascom Avenue corridor.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The Request for Proposal was published on the Biddingo website. This memorandum will be posted on the City’s website for the May 10, 2022 City Council Agenda.
COORDINATION
This memorandum and agreement has been coordinated with the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, the City Manager’s Budget Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 25, 2022
Subject: Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
FISCAL/POLICY ALIGNMENT
The agreement with DKS Associates has been developed in accordance with City Council adopted consultant selection process and the Local Business and Small Business Preference Ordinance.
This project is consistent with multiple City policies, including Envision 2040.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
1. AMOUNT OF RECOMMENDATION/COST OF PROJECT: $339,446
2. SOURCE OF FUNDING: Fund 429 – Building and Structure Construction Tax Fund.
3. FISCAL IMPACT: Approval of this design contract will have no impact on the General Fund. Any operations and maintenance impact from this project will be indicated at the time of recommendation of construction award.
BUDGET REFERENCE
The table below identifies the fund and appropriations to fund the contract recommended as part of this memorandum and remaining project costs, including project delivery, construction, and contingency costs.
Fund
#
Appn
# Appn. Name
Total
Appn
Amt. for
Contract
2022-2026
Adopted CIP
Page
Last Budget
Action (Date,
Ord. No.)
429 416E Quiet Zone $4,621,000 $339,446 917 10/19/2021
30862
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 25, 2022
Subject: Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
CEQA
Not a Project, File PP17-002, Consultant Services for design, study, inspection, or other professional services with no commitment to future action.
/s/
JOHN RISTOW
Director of Transportation
For questions, please contact Jessica Zenk, Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Planning and Project Delivery Section at (408) 535-3543.