TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7183 and award a contract to Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., of Chino, CA, for the Santa Fe Avenue Traffic Signal Synchronization, in a total amount of $2,903,298, with a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $290,330, for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,193,628; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,920,197, offset by Proposition C funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) (F7314); and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,920,197, offset by the transfer of Metro Proposition C funds from the Capital Grant Fund. (Districts 1,7)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to execute a contract with Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., for construction services related to the Santa Fe Avenue Synchronization Enhancement Project (Project).
The Project will upgrade 13 traffic signals along the Santa Fe Avenue Corridor between Wardlow Road and Anaheim Street and two traffic signals along the Anaheim Street Corridor. Dilapidated equipment such as old 8-inch vehicle heads, non-countdown pedestrian heads, mast arms, poles, vehicle/bicycle detectors, non-ADA pedestrian pushbuttons, safety lighting, and wiring will be replaced to conform with current City of Long Beach (City) and Department of Transportation standards. Damaged traffic signs, poles, and other equipment will also be replaced to increase driver visibility and safety along the corridor. Another critical component required for managing the Santa Fe Avenue Corridor includes installing six new Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at key intersections along this corridor, which will assist staff with monitoring real-time traffic conditions.
The communication improvements proposed along the corridor include installing fiber optic cable and the associated communication devices, which will assure all signals along the corridor are connected to each other and allow all devices and software to work together harmoniously. To help accommodate bicycles and pedestrians along this corridor, the Project will install a Class III bike route along the entire length of Santa Fe Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Wardlow Road.
The Project will also improve pedestrian facilities. Pedestrian safety equipment improvements include pedestrian pushbuttons, LED countdown pedestrian heads, street lighting, and detectable warning surfaces on curb ramps. Additional signing and striping upgrades around schools and parks will further enhance pedestrian safety. These include school speed limit signs, pedestrian crossing warning signs, and high visibility continental crosswalks.
The bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on July 1, 2021, and 79 potential bidders specializing in construction services were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 44 downloaded the bid via the City’s electronic bid system. The bid document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the sixth floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. A bid announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 35 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups. There were six bids received on July 30, 2021. Of those six bidders, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), or Long Beach businesses (Local). Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., of Chino, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE, or Local), was the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
To align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download the bid specifications. Through outreach, 40 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which none downloaded or submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
Community Meeting
On October 7, 2021, a virtual community engagement meeting was held by the Public Works Department with City Traffic Engineer Carl Hickman and Project Manager Arek Harmandayan, as the lead representatives of this project. During this meeting, the Project’s scope, improvements, schedule, and funding were shared with approximately 40 participants from the community and members of Council District 7. The participants showed general support of the Project and all concerns were successfully addressed during the meeting.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber and Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Mortensen on August 16, 2021, and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on August 24, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7183 and award a contract concurrently is requested on November 16, 2021, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously and to allow the construction portion of the project to move forward.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract amount will not exceed $3,193,628, inclusive of a 10 percent contingency. The total Project cost will not exceed $3,724,025, inclusive of design, construction, construction management, labor compliance, and project oversight. Sufficient appropriation to support the Project, other than the grant appropriation being requested, is budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. An appropriation increase in the amount of $3,840,394 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount, $1,920,197 will be offset with Proposition C 25 percent reimbursement revenues received from Metro. The remaining $1,920,197 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of Proposition C 25 percent funds from the Capital Grant Fund, a fund within the Capital Projects Fund Group. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The number of additional local jobs created by this action will not be known until the contractor completes their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER