Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/public-works
Item # 18
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
April 16, 2024
TOPIC: Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project
AGENDA TITLE
Amendment to Agreement with Mark Thomas & Company for Grant Writing Services (Project No. 22-6899 & 24-6899) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the first amendment to the agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. for grant writing services for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation in the amount of $69,654, with a contingency amount of $10,346, for a new total agreement amount of $330,000 (Agreement No. A-2024-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The proposed Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation is adjacent to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), and will include a new six-lane underpass to replace the existing at-grade rail crossing at the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) double tracks on Santa Ana Boulevard. This project will provide connectivity across Santa Ana Boulevard to SARTC, and improvements will also include a raised median, bike lanes, sidewalks, storm water pump station, space for a transportation opportunity zone, and a pedestrian plaza.
On September 27, 2021, the Public Works Agency released Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 21-111, by which it sought the services of a professional engineering firm to provide grant writing services for the Public Works Agency Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project. Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. was awarded an agreement based upon the scope of work and selection criteria outlined in the RFP.
Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. has submitted several grant applications for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation as part of the original agreement scope, including one successful grant award of $7,000,000. Staff recommends executing an amendment to the current agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. to provide grant writing services for an additional three grant applications, including the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (RCE), Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (CEP), and
Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project
April 16, 2024
4 1
7 3
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation project (Exhibit 1).
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted and available for expenditure in the current Fiscal Year 2023-24.
The following table summarizes the reallocation of funds that will be budgeted to fund the grant writing services per the agreement amendment. Since the scope of work is contingent on the schedule of future grant applications prepared and submitted, any remaining balances not expended at the end of the agreement term will be carried forward for expenditure into FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 in the event the optional extension periods are exercised.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement Amendment with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc.
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director – Public Works Agency Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, Acting City Manager
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting
Unit - Account
No. Description
Amount
Current Project Budget
2023-24 03217662-66220
(Proj. 22-6899)
Measure M
Street
Construction
Measure M2
Local Fairshare,
Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$250,000
Amendment
2023-24 03217662-66220
(Proj. 24-6899)
Measure M
Street
Construction
Measure M2
Local Fairshare,
Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$80,000
TOTAL: $330,000