Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH AMERICAN STRUCTUREPOINT, INC. FOR THE DOWNTOWN PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE 2 (PID 120285).
Brief Description: This legislation would retain American Structurepoint, Inc., to perform the design of the Downtown Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Phase 2, within the downtown area which includes sections of SR 303, SR 91, First & Main Development and Aurora Street.
Body
Legislative History
21-120 - Enter into a Contract with LJB, Inc. for Downtown Pedestrian Safety Study; 10/19/2021
23-74 - Permission to Bid/Award Downtown Pedestrian, Phase 1; 6/6/2023
Purpose & Explanation
In 2022, the City finished a study titled the “Downtown Pedestrian Safety Study”. The study included an evaluation of pedestrian and bicycle safety along three major areas (1) Aurora Street from E. Main Street to Hudson Street, (2) Main Street (SR 91) from Stoney Hill Drive to Prospect Street and (3) E. Streetsboro Street (SR 303) from Main Street to Hayden Parkway. The study included recommended improvements to promote ADA compliance, improve safety for pedestrians/bicyclists and help encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel along the study corridors.
The project was divided into two (2) phases. Phase 1 improvements have commenced with design and construction using 100% City funding at three locations along N. Main Street near Baldwin Street, Aurora Street at College Street and Aurora Street at Hudson Street. Phase 2 of the improvements is being partially funded through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) Highway Safety Improvements Program and applies to the remaining study improvements identified in the Study.
Phase 2 design and construction includes pedestrian improvements along Aurora Street, Main Street, Streetsboro Street, and downtown streets. Improvements include high visibility crosswalks, new curb ramps, sidewalk and countdown pedestrian signal heads. A map of the improvement locations, summary of improvements and preliminary improvements maps are attached for further reference. The ODOT funded, Downtown Pedestrian Improvements, Phase 2 design and construction costs will be partially paid with Federal and State Safety Funds at a maximum amount of $727,722. The total project cost estimate is $922,680, includes design, right-of-way and construction.
As a portion of the ODOT funding is being utilized for design, the consultant selection process must follow the Ohio Dept. of Transportation’s Qualification Based Selection (QBS) criteria for engineering consultant selection.
Therefore, a request for surveying, engineering and design qualifications for this project was publicly advertised and the City received three (3) engineering design firms that submitted proposals including: Thrasher Engineering, LJB Engineering and American Structurepoint Inc. After a thorough review of the various consultant’s submittals, our review team made up of three staff members (B. Kosco, D. Rapp and J. Gironda) ranked each of the consultants and subsequently interviewed the top consultant. Following the interview, the team agreed that American Structurepoint remained the most qualified consultant to perform the design work, and asked them to submit a fee proposal to the City.
Over the past weeks, the City Engineering Department reviewed the submitted fee with American Structurepoint and confirmed a cost of $143,191 for this design of this project. The scope of design includes surveying, environmental and historic studies, public input, detailed design, right-of-way plan development (for acquisitions, if needed) and bidding support.
ODOT will directly pay the consultant the $116,100 and the City will pay the remaining costs of $27,091 plus a 10% design contingency of $14,319 for a total local fund of $41,410. For considerations in excess to this amount, staff will return to the City Council
The design is estimated to be completed by the winter 2024/2025 and the project bid in spring, 2025.
Note: All future needed temporary and permanent property acquisitions are on an individual reimbursement and are not part of this request. The City staff will review the plans and emphasis will be on staff and our consultant to minimize any right-of-way acquisitions during the design of this project.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
X Professional Services
Other
Fiscal Impact
X Currently Budgeted (430 fund - $25,000)
X Supplemental Appropriation Required (430 fund - $16,410)
Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
Yes
X No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. to perform the Downtown Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Phase 2.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Bradley S. Kosco, PE, PS, City Engineer