TITLE
Recommendation to award contract and authorize City Manager to sign all documents necessary to execute an agreement in the amount of $104,695, with Alta Planning + Design for the Metro Blue Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan project, and to execute any amendments thereto; and increase appropriations in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP201) in the Department of Public Works (PW) in the amount of $84,600. (Districts 1,2,6,7)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach was awarded an $84,600 Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant to create a Metro Blue Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan. On March 12, 2009, the City and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) finalized Fund Transfer Agreement (FTA) number 74A0437 to develop the plan.
This project will develop concept access plans to assess and recommend physical infrastructure and safety improvements to increase bicycling and walking to all of the eight Metro Blue Line Stations serving Long Beach, including the Long Beach Transit Mall, First Street Station, Pacific Station, 5th Street Station, Anaheim Station, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Station, Willow Station, and the Wardlow Station. The plan will focus on a half-mile radius surrounding each station. This project will plan specific bicycle and pedestrian improvements relative to land use to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation and a more active, healthy lifestyle by improving pedestrian and bicycle access to Metro Blue Line Stations. A map of the impacted area is attached.
The Request for Proposals for this project was conducted in April 2009. Four firms were interviewed and Alta Planning + Design was selected, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on June 8, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on June 12, 2009.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Metro Blue Line Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Plan will develop planned improvements to encourage and promote bicycling and walking to transit, eliminating the use of auto trips altogether. This offers a sustainable transportation alternative that provides convenient and safe access for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users.
Promoting the use of transit by encouraging people to bike and walk to the station rather than park and ride their cars helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promotes better air quality and a more active lifestyle.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on July 7, 2009, to allow completion of the FTA requirements by the expiration of the grant February 28,2011.
FISCAL IMPACT
Since the $84,600 provided for by the FTA is not currently budgeted, an appropriation increase is requested in the Capital Projects Fund (CP201) in the Department of Public Works. Alta Planning + Design's proposal is for a total of $104,695. Sufficient Proposition C funds to cover the matching fund requirement for the balance of the contract are already budgeted.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael P. Conway
Director of Public Works
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |