TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $531,180, offset by Federal Highway Bridge Program funds from California Department of Transportation (BHLS-5108(197)), for the environmental phase of the 2nd Street Bridge over Marine Stadium Rehabilitation Project; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $531,180, offset by transfer of Federal Highway Bridge Program funds from the Capital Grant Fund.
(District 3)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (County) is the designated bridge inspector for Los Angeles County, including bridges located in Long Beach. The City of Long Beach (City), working with the County, has identified required structural improvements to the 2nd Street Bridge (Bridge) over Marine Stadium (Attachment A - Location Map). To facilitate the recommended improvements, in May 2017, staff submitted a request for Federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) funding to replace the existing concrete deck, bridge barrier, and light posts, and to maintain the bridge originally built in 1955. The HBP provides funding to improve or replace local highway bridges as approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The 2nd Street Bridge over Marine Stadium Rehabilitation Project (Project) will maintain a critical passageway across Alamitos Bay into the Naples Island and Belmont Shore areas from the Marina Pacifica area.
On July 10, 2007, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute all master agreements, Program Supplemental Agreements, fund exchange agreements, fund transfer agreements and any amendments thereto, with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the authority of Resolution No. RES-07-0097.
On August 14, 2017, Program Supplement Agreement F123 was executed in the amount of $221,325 for the first phase (material testing) of the Project, which involved deck concrete testing by the County. Based on the results of the compressive test and coring results, the County recommended replacing the entire bridge deck as a long-term solution.
On December 29, 2020, Caltrans approved $531,180 of HBP funds (BHLS-5108(197)) for the environmental phase of the project, consisting of technical studies, preliminary design, obtaining clearances from stakeholder agencies, and joint National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act document, subject to the terms of a Program Supplemental Agreement.
On July 16, 2021, Program Supplement Agreement F135 was executed in the amount of $531,180 for the environmental phase, for a total amount of $752,505 of HBP funds awarded for the Project.
Funding for the Project's construction phase is anticipated to come from HBP. Allocation of construction funds is expected to occur later in the design phase after detailed construction cost estimates are developed and funding has been secured.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on July 27 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on July 21, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 10, 2021, to ensure the timely completion of the environmental phase of the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Project cost to date is $951,325, which includes testing and the environmental phase. The concrete testing was completed in 2017 and was funded with $221,325 of HBP funds and $130,000 of Gas Tax Street Improvement funds, for a total of $351,325. The environmental phase of the project is expected to cost $600,000 and will be funded by $531,180 of HBP, which is the current request of appropriation in this recommendation. All eligible expenses, such as staff time, will be fully offset by HBP funds and Measure A funds. HBP funds have a match requirement of $68,820 or 11.47 percent of the environmental phase of the project cost, whichever is less. The cost match will be funded by Measure A of which is currently budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Funding for the design and construction phase is anticipated to come from HBP. City staff will request additional funding for design and construction after an RFP is completed and once funding has been secured and return to the City Council to request an appropriation increase.
An appropriation increase of $1,062,360 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. Of this amount, $531,180 will be offset with HBP fund reimbursements from Caltrans. The remaining $531,180 is a technical appropriation to allow for the transfer of HBP funds from the Capital Projects 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 the Project will not be known until hiring associated with construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER