City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 23, 2024
Agenda Item: 5.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Engineering and Street Services
Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works Department Subject: Award Bid SP2593-1 to Access Pacific, Inc. for Construction of Olympic Blvd Improvements
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA.
2. Award Bid #2593-1 to Access Pacific Inc. for construction services for the Olympic Boulevard Improvements Project for the Public Works Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Access Pacific, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $3,006,830 (including a 15% contingency).
4. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within contract authority.
Summary
The Olympic Boulevard Improvements Project (Project) would create a sidewalk along the north side of Olympic Boulevard between Stewart Street and 26th Street and install pedestrian amenities to improve pedestrian safety and access to the Metro E Line 26th Street/Bergamot Station. The project would improve linkages to public transportation, facilitate walking, and support a safer and barrier-free network where no sidewalk currently exists today. The project would also install pedestrian-oriented street lighting, implement drainage improvements, and install landscaping upgrades along the north side of Olympic Boulevard. Staff recommends Access Pacific, Inc. for the construction 2 of 5
services in an amount not to exceed $3,006,830 (including a 15% contingency). The Project would be funded by Sustainable Transportation Planning (STPL-Federal Funds), Proposition C, and Measure R Local Return funds.
Discussion
The Project was identified as a priority project in the Bergamot Area Plan adopted in 2013 (Attachment A) and the Pedestrian Action Plan adopted in 2016 (Attachment B).
The Project is located in a former industrial area with wide roadways and insufficient pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Adjacent to the Metro EXPO light rail station, this segment of Olympic Boulevard is in need of upgrades to improve the pedestrian experience, including an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk, curb, gutter, drainage improvements, and pedestrian oriented lighting. Additionally, the removal of the right turn slip island and modification of traffic signals at Olympic Boulevard and 26th Street would improve the pedestrian crossing experience across a high-volume segment of Olympic Boulevard.
On June 14, 2016, the Council adopted the FY 2016-18 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and authorized funds of $2,800,000 for the design and construction of this project, and adjacent Stewart Street and Pennsylvania Avenue improvements.
On December 12, 2017, City Council awarded a contract to KOA Corporation for the design of the Project. (Attachment C)
On June 12, 2018, Council adopted the FY 2018-20 CIP budget and authorized additional funds of $208,093 for the design and construction of this project, and adjacent Stewart Street and Pennsylvania Avenue improvements.
On February 25, 2020, the City Council awarded a contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company for the construction services of the Project. (Attachment D). However, the contract was not executed due to a financial uncertainty and subsequent City restructuring associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Project was originally 3 of 5
programmed to be funded by the General Fund, Special Revenue Fund, and Local Return Fund.
On September 7, 2023, the project was re-advertised for bids and received three bids on October 26, 2023.
Contractor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Evaluation Criteria Price, previous experience, ability to deliver, quality of product, and compliance with City specifications.
Best and Lowest Bidder Access Pacific, Inc.
Bid Data
Bid
Posting
Bid Posted
On
Bid Advertised
in (City Charter)
# of Vendors
Downloaded
# of
Submittals
Date
Publicly
Opened
9/07/2023 City’s Online
Bidding Site
Santa Monica
Daily Press
96 3 10/26/2023
Submittals Received
Access Pacific, Inc. $2,614,635
Palp Inc., dba Excel Paving Company $2,898,700
Hardy and Harper, Inc. $3,800,000
Best Bidder Justification
Staff recommends Access Pacific, Inc., the lowest bidder, as the best bidder based on bid price and completion of past projects for the City of Santa Monica, including the North Beach Bike Trail Improvements and Pedestrian Improvements at Four Schools projects. Access Pacific, Inc., is also currently constructing the 4th Street Enhancement Phase II project for the City of Santa Monica. Access Pacific, Inc. has also completed ADA sidewalk improvements and bikeway access improvements on two projects for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
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Past Council Actions
Meeting date Description
9/10/2013 (Attachment A) Bergamot Area Plan
2/23/2016 (Attachment B) Pedestrian Action Plan
12/12/2017 (Attachment C) Awarded Design Agreement to KOA Corporation for Olympic Boulevard Improvements Project
2/25/2020 (Attachment D) Awarded Construction Contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company for Olympic Boulevard
Improvements Project
Public Outreach
Construction is estimated to begin in May 2024 and last for approximately 12 months.
Prior to and during construction, City staff and the contractor would distribute notifications to adjacent properties detailing the project scope, construction schedule, and potential impacts. Periodic updates would be provided, as necessary. Social media would be utilized to notify the public about general construction updates.
Environmental Review
The Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15311 of the CEQA Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA. Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) exempts projects that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Section 15311 (Class 11 – Accessory Structures) exempts the construction, or replacement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including but not limited to seasonal or temporary use items in generally the same locations from time to time in publicly owned parks, stadiums, or other facilities designed for public use. Additionally, Section 21080.25 of CEQA states that CEQA does not apply to pedestrian and bicycle facilities that improve safety, access, or mobility, including new facilities, within the public right-of-way. This project would modify existing traffic signals, upgrade curb extensions, install drainage and landscape improvements, and make upgrades to the streetlighting. The project would not expand or materially change existing City streets or infrastructure. Furthermore, none of the six of seven exceptions to Categorical 5 of 5
Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply to this exemption.
Therefore, the Project is exempt pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15311 of the CEQA Guidelines, and Section 21080.25 of CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available Capital Improvement Program funding from the Special Revenue, Miscellaneous Grant, and Local Return Funds to award a contract with Access Pacific Inc., for construction services for the Olympic Boulevard Improvements Project.
Prepared By: Tom Shahbazi, Civil Engineer
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Bergamot Area Plan
B. Pedestrian Action Plan
C. Contract Approval for Design Services - December 12, 2017 Council Meeting D. Initial Contract Approval for Construction - February 25, 2020 Council Meeting E. Oaks Initiative Form - Access Pacific
Contract Request
Request Amount CIP Account # Total Contract Amount
$553,000 C1008400.689000 $553,000
$1,903,000 C2008400.689000 $1,903,000
$550,830 C2704600.689120 $550,830
Total (including 15% contingency) $3,006,830