TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7191 and award a contract to Granite Construction Company, of Watsonville, CA, for the Artesia Great Boulevard Project, in a total amount of $32,925,300, authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $3,292,530, for a total contract amount not to exceed $36,217,830; 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, Capital Projects Grant Fund, in the Public Works Department by $23,545,000, offset by Metro MR315.70 grant funds;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $24,045,000, offset by transfer of Metro MR315.70 grant funds from the Capital Projects Grant Fund and by $500,000 to be made available through the Measure A bond program in Fiscal Year 2023; and
Accept Categorical Exemption CE 19-258. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Granite Construction Company, for the construction of the Artesia Great Boulevard Project (Project).
The Project will implement a series of complete street improvements along the 3.2 mile length of Artesia Boulevard from Harbor Ave/Susana Ave to Downey Avenue. (Attachment A). Artesia Boulevard is a regionally significant east-west arterial corridor carrying high volumes of through traffic, as well as traffic from surrounding neighborhoods and large trip generators. The improvements are necessary to enhance overall safety and operational capacity along the corridor. The Project will upgrade equipment that is past its service life, including signal indications, traffic signal poles, ADA compliant push buttons, and traffic signs. Additionally, protected left turns will be added to improve the level of safety that is provided to drivers turning left at signalized intersections.
The Project also incorporates Active Transportation (AT) improvements that enhance bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Geometrical roadway changes would modify existing medians for the accommodation of a Class IV protected bike lane throughout the corridor without reducing the number of vehicular travel lanes in each direction. The center medians will be upgraded with
new landscaping and irrigation systems to improve overall aesthetics on the corridor. Further, signalized intersections will be modified with bulb-outs that will provide additional safety by shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians. The construction of bulb-outs will also improve signal timing through the shortening of pedestrian crossing distances and reducing signal cycle lengths. Additional hardscape work will include the design and constructions of new bulb-outs with bio swales for on-site drainage where needed.
In addition, transit facilities within the corridor will be upgraded. Transit improvements will occur at most Long Beach Transit (LB Transit) intersection stops that will include improved bus shelters at 18 locations. Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology will be implemented with upgraded traffic signal coordination timing leveraging signal system communications that are part of the Project. Continued coordination is required with Metro’s Highway ITS Department and LB Transit for the future development and implementation of TSP.
Complete Streets Assessment
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1358 (the California Complete Streets Act), and as part of the implementation of the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan, the City of Long Beach’s (City) practice is to conduct a complete streets assessment for roadway construction projects. The project site is located in North Long Beach and zoned for mixed-use, community commercial automobile-oriented, and multi-family residential. The Project will generally consist of complete street improvements including Class II/III/IV bike lanes and other new bike/pedestrian facilities, bulb-outs, wayfinding signage, crosswalk, transit stop enhancements, construction and reconstruction of curb ramps for ADA compliance, new and upgraded decorative lighting, flashing beacons, landscaping, street trees, removing and relocating obstructions and utilities, and street furniture. This project supports multiple transportation options, including driving, bicycling, public transit, and walking from users of all ages and abilities.
This bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on June 29, 2022, and 204 potential bidders specializing in construction services, materials, and supplies were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 71 downloaded the bid via the City’s electronic bid system. The bid announcement 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 <http://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 42 local, minority, and women-owned business groups. There were five bids received on August 26, 2022. Of those five bidders, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), none were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), one was a certified Small Business Enterprises (SBE), and one was a Long Beach vendor (Local). Granite Construction Company, of Watsonville, CA, (not a MBE,WBE,SBE) was the lowest responsive and 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 procurement database to download the bid specifications. Through outreach, 11 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which 1 downloaded and 1 submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Vanessa S. Ibarra and Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on September 26, 2022, and by Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on September 15, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project will improve the overall mobility and safety along the 3.2-mile corridor for North Long Beach, providing residents with more recreational and health benefits achieved by walking or cycling. The Project will also allow for residents to use bicycles as an alternate mode of transportation, resulting in less vehicle usage and a reduction of air pollution harmful to the environment. Thirteen infiltration basins with tree boxes are planned to be installed along the corridor. Center medians will be upgraded with new drought-tolerant landscaping and irrigation systems to improve overall aesthetics on the corridor. Street lighting along Artesia Boulevard will be upgraded to modern energy efficient LED fixtures.
In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Categorical Exemption CE-19-258 was filed with the County Clerk for this project on July 2, 2020 (Attachment B).
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7191 and award a contract concurrently is requested on October 11, 2022 to ensure the contract is in place to start construction expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the contract will not exceed $36,217,830, inclusive of a 10 percent contingency. The total project cost is estimated at $43,889,344, inclusive of the requested contract, design, construction, construction management, labor compliance, project oversight, and inspections. The project is currently supported by $200,000 of AB 2766, $474,915 of Gas Tax, $190,656 of General Capital Projects Fund Group, $2,225,000 of Local Return Measure R, $1,827,037 of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) call for Projects F7316 Grant, $4,700,081 of Metro call for Projects F9130 Grant, $1,450,000 of Metro Measure R MR315.70 Grant, $120,000 of Proposition A, $3,950,000 of Proposition C, $1,503,345 of RMRA (SB1), and $3,203,310 from Traffic Improvement Fees currently approporiated in the Capital Projects Fund group in the Public Works Department. The project will also be supported with $23,545,000 from Metro MR315.70 grant funds and $500,000 Measure A bond program funding that staff is requesting to appropriate in this letter. The Metro Call for Projects (F7316) funding requires a 40 percent local match; the Metro Call for Projects (F9130) funding requires a 34.7 percent local match. The Metro MR315.70 Funding Agreement requires no match. All match requirements are covered by the comprised sources listed previously.
An appropriations increase in the amount of $47,590,000 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount, $23,545,000 will be offset with Metro MR315.70 grant funds and $500,000 of funding to be made available through the Measure A bond program in FY 23. The remaining $23,545,000 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of Metro grant funds from the Capital Projects Fund Group.
The Public Works Department, Public Services Bureau, is responsible for ongoing landscape maintenance including irrigation, landscaping, and debris management. Once the project is complete, the department anticipates maintenance cost to decrease in the short term and will be able to absorb costs with existing appropriations in the General 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 project will not be known until the contractors have completed their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER