DATE: September 15, 2015
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works - Engineering & Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Sidewalk Rehabilitation and Wheelchair Ramps FY 2016 - Districts 1 and 8: Approval of Plans and Specifications and Call for Bids
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment I) approving the plans and specifications for the FY 2016 Sidewalk Rehabilitation and Wheelchair Ramps project and calls for bids to be received on October 13, 2015.
BACKGROUND
The Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program for the repair of damaged concrete sidewalks consists of two components. The first is the removal of tripping hazards from sidewalk displacements or offsets that are less than 13/4 inches. These hazards are removed by saw cutting or grinding the uplifted sidewalk panel across the width of the sidewalk to produce a smooth and uniform surface that meets ADA slope requirement. This trip hazard removal is performed under a separate purchase order contract. Under that contract, the Contractor submits a report to the City which identifies the locations of sidewalk offsets that are greater than 13/4 inches and cannot be repaired by saw cut or grinding.
The second component of the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program removes and replaces, with new concrete, all sidewalk displacements exceeding 13/4 inches. This work is included in this call for bids.
To facilitate the selection of sidewalk areas for repairs each year, the City is divided into ten districts (see Attachment IV). Each year, work is performed in two districts.
DISCUSSION
This year’s program will repair damaged sidewalks in the Downtown Area (District 1) and the Sleepy Hollow Depot Area (District 8). Please refer to Attachments II and III for project location maps. The project also includes: installation and upgrading of handicap access ramps; repair of offset or raised concrete curb and gutter; tree trimming; root pruning of existing trees; and planting of new trees. As part of the project, the contractor will retain an arborist to examine the condition of existing trees and inspect all root-pruning work. Based on a preliminary inspection, staff anticipates removing three trees and planting nine new trees in various locations. New trees will be planted where street trees are absent or where an existing tree must be removed because of disease or is in danger of falling.
Approximately 90 separate locations of damaged sidewalks or a total of approximately 10,000 square feet, or 2.0% of total area in the City, will be repaired with this project. One hundred thirty-five new curb ramps will also be installed or upgraded to bring curb ramps into compliance with current ADA standards. Pursuant to Section 5610 of California’s Streets and Highways Code, property owners are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks in front of their property. However, with the City’s program, property owners with damaged sidewalks in front of their properties are given the choice of completing the work themselves or having the repairs undertaken by the City’s for a minimal fee.
This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Section 15301(c) that covers the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing streets, sidewalks, and gutters.
COMPLETE STREETS
The project provides for the following improvements in the public right-of-way in compliance with City Council’s Complete Streets Policy:
1. One hundred thirty-five existing handicap ramps will be updated to comply with current ADA standards; and
2. Landscape improvements are being implemented to the sidewalk planters by adding nine new trees.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Owners of the affected properties will receive certified letters regarding the program along with a response form to return to the City indicating their choice to complete the repairs themselves or pay the $550 fee to have the City complete the work. Property owners have the option of paying off the $550 fee in a lump sum payment or multiple payments within 12 months. The response form also includes a list of replacement trees that an owner can use to select a preferred replacement tree. Before construction commences, a second notice will be sent to all property owners who did not respond to the first notice to make sure they are aware of the program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated project costs are as follows:
|
Construction Contract |
$600,000 |
|
Trip Hazard Removal (under different contract) |
150,000 |
|
Design and Administration |
85,000 |
|
Construction Survey, Inspection, and Testing |
85,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$920,000 |
The Adopted FY 2016 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $800,000 for the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project in the Street System Improvements Fund, and $120,000 in the Gas Tax Fund for the construction of wheelchair ramps. The total appropriation for the two projects that will be used to fund this project is $920,000. Reimbursement from property owners for the sidewalk rehabilitation is estimated to be approximately $82,000. Transportation Development Act funds will reimburse the full amount of ($120,000) of the wheelchair ramps installation work.
NEXT STEPS
The estimated schedule for this project is as follows:
|
Open Bids |
October 13, 2015 |
|
Award Contract |
November 10, 2015 |
|
Begin Construction |
December 7, 2015 |
|
Complete Construction |
March 21, 2016 |
Prepared by: Yaw Owusu, Assistant City Engineer
Staff contact
Recommended by: Morad Fakhrai, Director of Public Works - Engineering & Transportation
end
Approved by:
Fran David, City Manager
Attachments:
|
Attachment I |
Resolution |
|
Attachment II |
Location Map - District 1 |
|
Attachment III |
Location Map - District 8 |
|
Attachment IV |
Sidewalk District Map |