TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept grant funds from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Safe Routes to School program in the amount of $500,000, execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto, and implement the grant by executing an agreement with Safe Moves in an amount not to exceed $475,000, for a one year period, with two one-year options to extend at the discretion of the City Manager; and increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Department of Public Works (PW) by $500,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On October 18, 2011, the City was awarded $500,000 under Cycle 3 of the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to continue bike and pedestrian safety education awareness at elementary and middle schools within the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). The City is completing implementation of its first SRTS grant, which has been extremely successful in providing such education programs over the past two years.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was conducted in accordance with Administrative Regulation 8-4, "Selecting Professional Consultants," to secure qualified firms. The RFP was advertised in the Press-Telegram on June 18, 2012. Fifty-five potential bidders downloaded the RFP via our electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division's website at: www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division's weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 30 local, minority and women-owned business groups. Two proposals were received on July 12, 2012; neither were local, minority or women-owned business groups. Both proposers were interviewed and a selection committee, comprised of City staff, determined that Safe Moves, of Van Nuys, CA, was best qualified to implement the program.
Safe Moves will be responsible for conducting bicycle and pedestrian safety education workshops at each elementary and middle school in LBUSD for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. Students will learn safety skills through interactive bike rodeos held at schools and in the community. In addition, workshops will be provided to parents to encourage them to allow their children to safely walk and bike to school through "walking school buses" and "bike trains."
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber on August 1, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 7, 2012.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Safe Routes to School program will encourage parents to allow their children to walk and bicycle to school and provide children with the skills and knowledge to do so safely. As a result, fewer parents will drive their children to and from school, which will reduce congestion and automobile emissions around schools.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 4, 2012, in order to begin the education program during the fall school term.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract award will not exceed $475,000; the remaining $25,000 in grant funds will be used for project administration by Public Works staff. Since this grant is not currently budgeted, an appropriation increase of $500,000 is requested in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Department of Public Works (PW). There is no match requirement for this grant, no impact to the General Fund, and no local job impact associated with the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER