City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 28, 2024
Agenda Item: 5.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Engineering and Street Services
Subject: Award Construction Contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. for Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor (LiNC) Street Improvements Project (Phase 1 - Street and Pedestrian Lighting)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301, Section 15303, and Section 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA;
2. Award Bid #SP2331 to Elecnor Belco Electric Inc., for the construction of Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor (LiNC) Street Improvements Project (Phase 1 - Street and Pedestrian Lighting) for the Public Works Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a construction contract with Elecnor Belco Electric Inc, in an amount not to exceed $5,885,932 (including a $15% contingency); and
4. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within contract authority.
Summary
Since taking over responsibility of Lincoln Boulevard from Caltrans in 2012, the City of Santa Monica has worked with residents and local businesses to improve this vital transportation and business corridor. The Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Streetscape Project (LiNC) consists of enhancing the physical environment and pedestrian safety through streetscape and supporting the aesthetic transformation of the corridor through the implementation of short- and long-term safety and aesthetic enhancements of the public right-of-way (ROW). The LiNC incorporates these 2 of 7
enhancements spanning from the Interstate 10 freeway (I-10 Fwy) to Ozone Avenue at the southern city limit. These enhancements would be performed in phases, as funding becomes available; and streetlighting and pedestrian lighting upgrades would be implemented as part of Phase 1 of LiNC. Staff recommends Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc to provide construction services in an amount not to exceed $5,885,932 (including a 15% contingency). This project phase would be mostly funded by a grant from the State Budget Act of 2022 (Attachment A) and Local Return transportation funding.
Discussion
Caltrans relinquished Lincoln Boulevard to the City of Santa Monica in 2012, which stimulated public and private interests in fulfilling the reimagining of Lincoln Boulevard and in addressing deferred maintenance. In 2017, the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan (The "LiNC") was adopted by the City Council. Lengthy outreach and planning efforts have informed the goals for the vision of the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) for a more walkable and aesthetically pleasing corridor. In 2013, the Public Works Department and Department of Transportation conducted a street resurfacing and markings project that improved vehicular operations and laid the groundwork for future transit improvements by modifying right-of-way striping to accommodate a new dedicated, peak-hour bus lane, which was completed in 2017. The resurfacing project improved the pavement condition of Lincoln Boulevard but left more substantive streetscape modifications (such as medians and crosswalks) and other enhancements to be resolved by LiNC.
Beginning in August 2014, an interdepartmental team led by the Community Development Department began work on LiNC to develop streetscape, transportation, and business improvement concepts. Leveraging relationships with neighborhood leaders and members of the Lincoln Boulevard Taskforce, the planning team conducted extensive outreach to address key concerns and develop consensus on a preferred streetscape alternative. Outreach activities included two community workshops, dozens of one-on-one and group stakeholder meetings, focus groups with local businesses, and an online presence that included social media and civic engagement platforms. 3 of 7
The project area for the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Streetscape Project spans 17 blocks and 1.25 miles along Lincoln Boulevard between the I-10 Freeway overpass and Ozone Avenue and runs through three neighborhoods: Pico, Ocean Park, and Sunset Park.
During the conceptual design process, each of the 17 blocks within the project area were individually analyzed for opportunities to accommodate the features desired by the community and support the goals of the project. The final conceptual streetscape and transportation design plan incorporates a balanced mix of new features that result in a better performing, enhanced streetscape and transportation environment for vehicles, transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. All the streetscape elements are being proposed without the loss of a travel lane for vehicles. The improvements are intended to make movement for all users and modes more predictable by providing safe places for pedestrians to cross the street, identifying areas for bicycles to maneuver, accommodating transit, and organizing vehicle flow.
On April 25, 2017, after nearly three years of conceptual streetscape and transportation design development, the City Council approved the final streetscape and transportation concept for the LiNC (Attachment B).
The project design was completed in 2019 and was initially bid out in March of 2020.
The initial bidding process was cancelled and not completed due to the global pandemic and City restructuring in 2020. City staff have been searching for grant and funding opportunities, and on June 16, 2023, the City was awarded $4.8 million from the Budget Act 2022, State General Funds from the State of California (Attachment A). This funding is intended to implement the first phase of the project by installing pedestrian lighting improvements, modernize existing streetlighting, and construct select pedestrian intersection improvements adjacent to the northern portion of the project and adjacent to Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI).
Phase 1 improvements would include:
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• Modernization of streetlighting circuitry from high to low voltage power. • Installation of new LED streetlights, and new LED pedestrian-oriented lights to enhance visibility and lighting efficiency along Lincoln Boulevard. • Reconfigure and improve pedestrian crossings across Lincoln Boulevard at Olympic to allow for a safe two-phased crossing approach with the installation of a median island refuge.
• Improve pedestrian crossings across Lincoln Boulevard at Michigan Avenue. • Traffic signal improvements and curb ramp extension at Michigan Avenue. • Sidewalk repairs on Lincoln Boulevard.
To complete the remaining phases of the project, staff applied for the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) 2024 Implementation Grant on May 16, 2024.
Contractor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Bidder Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc
Evaluation
Criteria
Price; the ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform the services; the capacity of the bidder to perform the contract within the time specified; the sufficiency of the bidder’s financial resources; the reputation and experience of the bidder.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Submittals Received
Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. $5,118,202.00
Baker Electric Inc. $5,155,218.21
Servitek Electric, Inc $6,485,165.00
Bid Data
Date
Posted
Posted On Advertise In
(City Charter & SMMC)
Vendors
Downloaded
Date Publicly
Opened
02/27/2024 City's Online
Bidding Site
Santa Monica Daily
Press
85 4/2/2024
Best Bidder Justification
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Staff recommends Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc, the lowest bidder, as the best bidder when evaluating bid price, previous project experience, and completion of past projects for the City of Santa Monica, City of Long Beach and City of Glendale. The recommended bidder has demonstrated the ability to perform quality work on Public Works projects in similar scope including electrical, streetlighting and traffic signal projects.
Public Outreach
The Project webpage, Attachment C, discusses detailed outreach conducted between 2015 and 2019. City staff consulted with the community through a series of meetings including open house events, with neighborhood associations, focused stakeholder discussions and presentations, site visits, mailers, door to door outreach, and workshops. In 2023 and 2024 staff has had high level communications about the project as part of monthly meetings between City staff and SMMUSD. Any work adjacent to SAMOHI would be closely coordinated and City staff would communicate with the school. Most recently, staff met with Ocean Park Association’s LiNC Subcommittee on April 10th, 2024, and provided a project status update and information about the upcoming first phase of work.
Construction is expected to begin in the Winter of 2024, and last for approximately 15 months. Approximately two weeks prior to construction, the contractor would distribute notifications to adjacent properties and residents detailing the project scope, construction schedule, and potential impacts. Periodic updates during construction would be provided, as necessary. Social media would be utilized to notify the public about general construction updates and milestones.
Past Council Actions
4/25/17 (Attachment B) Approved final streetscape and transportation concept for the Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor
Environmental Review
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301, Section 15303, and Section 15311 of the CEQA Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA. 6 of 7
Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) exempts 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 15303 (Class 3 – New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the CEQA Guidelines provides exemption for the construction and location of limited numbers of new small facilities or structures. This includes curb ramps and pedestrian lighting. 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 facilities that improve safety, access, or mobility, including new facilities, within the public right-of-way. This project would add pedestrian lighting, curb extensions, street striping, update street lighting, traffic signal modifications, upgrade curb ramps and relocate storm drain catch basins. The project would not expand or materially change existing City streets or infrastructure. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply to this exemption. Therefore, the project is exempt pursuant to Sections 15301, 15303, and Section 15311 of the CEQA Guidelines, and Section 21080.25 of CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Miscellaneous Grants Fund (California Surplus – Budget Act 2022) and Local Return Fund (Prop C) to award a contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc to provide construction services for the Project.
Funds in the amount of $900,000 from the Local Return Fund (Prop C) are included in the FY 2024-26 Proposed Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget.
Future year funding is contingent on Council approval.
Contract Request
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Funding Source
FY 2023-24
Request
Amount
Future Year
Request
Amount
CIP Account # Total Contract
Amount
California
Surplus (Budget
Act 2022)
$4,732,000 C2008770.689000 LiNC
Project $4,732,000
Prop C Local
Return $253,932
C2704600.689130
Annual Paving and Sidewalk
Replacement
$253,932
Prop C Local
Return $900,000
C2708770.689130 LINC
Project $900,000
Total $5,885,932
Prepared By: Daniel Batarseh, Engineering Technician
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. State Budget Act of 2022 Agreement
B. Design approval for the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan Streetscape C. Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor Plan Webpage D. Levine Act Disclosure Form - Belco
E. Oaks Initiative Form - Belco
F. Written Comments