Item Number: 12
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: February 4, 2025
Submitted By:
Alex Jauregui, City Planner
Fredy Bonilla, City Engineer
Subject:
Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement with Dokken Engineering for design services for the Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project JM25-007 Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Approve the Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement with Dokken Engineering in the amount of $1,626,997.00 to develop conceptual designs and construction plans for streetscape improvements within Old Town Victorville; and (2) Authorize City staff to seek grant funding to support construction of the Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project.
Fiscal Impact:
Acting in accordance with the staff recommendation will result in an expenditure of $1,626,997.00 to complete the scope of the project (Attachment A). A portion of funding for this project was originally appropriated by the City Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget in the amount of $400,000 as part of the Measure P fund. However, in order to fund the remaining balance of the subject agreement, staff intends to reallocate $1,226,997 in unused Measure P funding originally allocated for the City’s Animal Care and Adoption Center. The proposed funding for this project is outlined as follows:
Account Code Account Description Amount
1054020-52300-42002 Measure P - Old Town 7th Street Project $1,626,997.00 3 9
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Strategic Plan Goal:
Approval of the proposed Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement will enable the City to further fulfill the following goals outlined in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan:
•Goal C (Community and Economic Development) - To support the economic vitality and preservation of the community for all its members, Goal C specifically calls for the completion of the Seventh Street – Old Town streetscape to provide an upgraded appearance for the area, which this proposal aims to accomplish by providing construction ready plans.
•Goal E (Invest in Infrastructure) – To create a healthy and livable community by maintaining the City’s assets through investment in infrastructure and innovation, this proposal will further the City’s goal of investing in roadway infrastructure and providing an innovative design that will slow traffic speeds and enhance walkability in the area.
Background:
A comprehensive amendment to the Old Town Specific Plan was previously adopted by the City Council on December 18, 2018 (Attachment B). Included within the updated Old Town Specific Plan are many goals and objectives aimed at transforming the Old Town area into a safe, pedestrian-friendly community focal point. The Specific Plan calls for the implementation of traffic calming measures like a reduction of Seventh Street from four lanes to two lanes with on-street parking and safer pedestrian street crossings, as well as the inclusion of design guidelines that pay homage to the area’s Route 66 history.
The completion of a Seventh Street – Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project to improve the appearance of the area was identified in both the 2020-2023 & 2023-2026 Victorville Strategic Plan documents as a strategy that would assist in addressing Goals C (Community and Economic Development) & E (Invest in Infrastructure) of the Strategic Plan. To work towards meeting the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 completion date target of this streetscape project, as noted in the most recent iteration of the Victorville Strategic Plan, staff was prompted to investigate the potential for hiring a professional design firm to provide conceptual design plans and shovel-ready construction documents.
Discussion:
To select a qualified consultant for this project, a Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation process was conducted in accordance with Victorville Municipal Code (VMC) Section
2.28.280, seeking a professional design firm to provide project scoping services (Phase 1A), conceptual designs (Phase 1B) and final construction plans (Phase 1C) with the potential to provide project administration services and support during construction activities (Phase II) should the City elect for this option. The project location identified by the RFP specifically targets the length of Seventh Street from the general area of Yucca Avenue/Center Street to D Street with ancillary improvements to feeder streets (Forrest, A, B and C Streets) that intersect with Seventh Street one block in each direction from Seventh Street, as well as enhancements to two (2) existing public parking lots at Seventh and B Streets and C and Eighth Streets. With the Old Town Specific Plan used as a guiding document, the RFP notes specific areas of improvement that include:
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• Street Improvements
Conceptual and final designs for street improvements to include a reduction of Seventh Street from four lanes to two lanes with the addition of on-street parking, the introduction of a roundabout on Seventh Street at Forrest Avenue, and opportunities for street closures to facilitate community events within the Old Town area. • Lighting
Lighting assessments and standard plans for lighting standards that can be implemented throughout the Old Town area. The decorative light standards will be designed to accommodate a scale appropriate for both pedestrians and vehicle traffic, while providing lighting levels that address safety concerns of the area. • Landscaping
Modifications to the streets associated with the RFP will utilize existing landscape planter when appropriate and result in new opportunities for landscape designs which will focus on use of native plants, ease of maintenance, climate appropriateness, and a unified theme appropriate for a pedestrian-oriented downtown location. • Low Voltage
The plan will incorporate video surveillance systems as well as a speaker sound system to aid in creating ambiance during business hours, broadcast announcements as needed, and deter loitering during non-business hours. • Placemaking
Decorative elements throughout the project area will be included in an effort to cultivate a sense of place that honors the history of the area. Plans and details for these elements may include public signage, community banners, furnishings like trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and public art installations.
The RFP was released on July 31, 2024, with a due date of September 16, 2024. The RFP was posted on the City's website, advertised on Ebidboards.com and published in the newspaper. Four (4) proposals were received and reviewed by a selection committee consisting of five (5) representatives from the City Management, Planning, Engineering, and Public Works departments. The following provides a summary of the rankings of the received proposals as determined by the committee members utilizing the selection criteria and point system that was outlined in the RFP:
Rank:
1. Dokken Engineering
2. David Evans and Associates, Inc.
3. Langan CA, Inc.
4. IDS Group, Inc.
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Based on the scoring selection criteria, Dokken Engineering was determined to be the most appropriate firm for the Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project.
Staff interviewed Dokken Engineering on December 17, 2024, and the firm adequately addressed all staff questions at that time. Staff believes this firm will meet project expectations due to relevant project experience having previously completed roadway and streetscape projects, including: the Green Tree Boulevard Extension in the City of Victorville; the Bear Valley Road Bridge Widening Project in the City of Victorville; the Paseo Santa Fe Streetscape in the City of Vista; the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Improvement Project in the City of Palm Desert; and the Lincoln Boulevard Placemaking Toolkit for the City of Santa Monica.
Included within the scope of work for this project, Dokken Engineering has offered their assistance in identifying and applying for grant opportunities that could lead to funding sources to fund the construction of the noted streetscape improvements included in this project. Through their RFP response, Dokken Engineering has shown ample experience in securing regional, state, and federal grant funds for similar types of street improvement projects. Working toward securing construction funding during this phase of the project will ensure that the construction and project completion remains on target for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 as identified by Goal C of the Victorville Strategic Plan.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement with Dokken Engineering in the amount of $1,626,997.00 to develop conceptual designs and construction plans for streetscape improvements within Old Town Victorville, and authorize Staff to work with Dokken in identifying and applying for grant opportunities that may fund the future construction of the noted streetscape improvements.
Attachments: A. Consultant/Professional Services Provider Agreement B. Old Town Specific Plan