HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-28 City Council Agenda Packet
1 07/28/08
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY
CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. A binder containing supporting materials is available in the Council Chambers on the Friday preceding the meeting.
Special Meeting
July 28, 2008
5:30 PM
ROLL CALL
Council Conference Room
CLOSED SESSION
This item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting. Public Comments: Members of the public may speak to the Closed Session items(s); three minutes per speaker.
A. Public Employment
Title: City Auditor
Authority: Government Code section 54957(b)
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
B. Interview of a Candidate for the Utilities Advisory Commission
Attachment
6:15 PM or as soon as possible thereafter
STUDY SESSION
1. Annual Joint Meeting With Planning and Transportation Commission
Regarding Planning Issues
Attachment
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:15 PM to 9:30 PM or as soon as possible thereafter
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may speak to any item not on the agenda; three minutes per speaker. Council reserves the
right to limit the duration or Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.
07/28/08 2
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY
CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
STUDY SESSION
2. Joint Meeting With Planning and Transportation Commission on the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program
CMR Attachment Spreadsheet
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
3. Appointment of Two Candidates to the Planning and Transportation
Commission for Two Terms Ending July 31, 2012
Attachment
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items will be voted on in one motion unless removed from the calendar by two Council Members.
4. Finance Committee Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing
the City Manager to Execute Agreements for the Short-Term
Assignment of the City’s Share of Entitlements on the California-
Oregon Transmission Project to Other Members of the Transmission
Agency of Northern California
CMR Attachment
5. Approval of a Contract With O’Grady Paving Inc. in the Total Amount
Not to Exceed $1,402,354 for the 2008 Street Maintenance Program,
Phase 2 Capital Improvement Program Project PE-86070
CMR Attachment
6. Approval of a Utilities Enterprise Fund Blanket Purchase Order with E.J.
Pires Trucking Inc. in a Not to Exceed Amount of $400,000 for Sand,
Rock, and Cutback Asphalt for Utilities Construction
CMR Attachment
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
HEARINGS REQUIRED BY LAW: Applications and/or appellants may have up to ten minutes at the outset of the
public discussion to make their remarks and put up to three minutes for concluding remarks after other members of the public have spoken.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS: Public comments or testimony on agenda items other than Oral Communications shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes per speaker unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. The
presiding officer may reduce the allowed time to less than five minutes if necessary to accommodate a larger
number of speakers.
07/28/08 3
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY
CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
CLOSED SESSION
This item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting. Public Comments: Members of the public may speak to the Closed Session item(s); three minutes per speaker.
7. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency Designated Representative: Sherry Lund
Unrepresented Employees: City Manager
Authority: Government Code section 54957.6
8. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency Designated Representative: Sherry Lund
Unrepresented Employees: City Clerk
Authority: Government Code section 54957.6
9. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency Designated Representative: Sherry Lund
Unrepresented Employees: City Attorney
Authority: Government Code section 54957.6
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
ADJOURNMENT
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services, or programs or who
would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact
650-329-2550 (Voice) 24 hours in advance.
CMR: 323:08 Page 1 of 5
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TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE: JULY 28, 2008 CMR: 323:08
SUBJECT: JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT
WORK PROGRAM
PURPOSE
The purpose of the study session is for staff to outline the scope, schedule and budget of the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment and the expected approach to each of the key work plan
components. Staff recommends that the City Council and Planning & Transportation Commission
provide comments and input to staff and the consultant team regarding implementation of the work
program.
BACKGROUND
On April 7, 2008, the City Council approved the selection of two consultants for completion of the
Comprehensive Plan amendment contract work plan: Design, Community & Environment (DC&E),
the lead planning and design firm, and Applied Development Economics (ADE), an economic
consultant. In conjunction with approving the consultant team, the Council also requested that staff
schedule a joint study session with the Planning & Transportation Commission within approximately
90 days to further discuss the components of the work program and to provide direction to staff and
the consultant team regarding its implementation. The City Council had initiated the amendment in
2006 with approval of a Colleague’s Memo that outlined the general parameters of the work
program. The focus of the amendment is to ensure that sufficient public services are available to
serve new housing development, that sufficient land for neighborhood-serving retail uses is retained,
that impacts of increased housing on public services such as parks, libraries and schools are
mitigated and that the City’s commitment to reduce global warming is addressed.
The Council indicated at the time the work program was developed that the amendment was to
continue the direction of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan and underscore its major themes, including:
CMR: 323:08 Page 2 of 5
• Building Community and Neighborhoods
• Maintaining and Enhancing Community Character
• Reducing Reliance on the Automobile
• Meeting Housing Supply Challenges
• Protecting and Repairing Natural Features
• Meeting Residential and Commercial Needs
• Providing Responsive Governance and Regional Leadership
The Council has allocated $850,000 for this work effort over a 3 to 4 year period. This budget and
timeframe is premised on retaining the focused scope outlined below.
DISCUSSION
The joint City Council and Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) study session provides an
opportunity for the City Council, the PTC and the public to review and comment on the process
developed by staff for implementing the Comprehensive Plan amendment work program, at the
initial stage of the process. The main work plan elements for the Comprehensive Plan amendment
approved by Council in 2006 are listed below. For each major element of the work program staff
has provided a summary of the proposed approach to implementation. Staff has also included a
detailed schedule for the work program (Attachment A) that identifies the major components and a
timeframe for their completion.
• Revise existing conditions and update growth projections
Recent trends in development patterns and new data will be incorporated into base
conditions staff and ADE will identify a realistic growth rate for development through 2015-
2020. ADE will review available projections from various data sources and evaluate historic
growth patterns to provide a context for the projections. ADE will prepare a housing needs
assessment, which will focus on local demographic and household characteristics that affect
local demand. ADE will also complete a comprehensive assessment of commercial growth
opportunities in Palo Alto. Policy L-8 of the Comprehensive Plan limiting non-residential
growth will be evaluated. Staff and the consultant team will present their recommendations
regarding growth projections at a Council/PTC study session(s) in early 2009.
• Prepare two area studies and update land use map
DC&E will prepare concept plans for the East Meadow Circle/Fabian Way/ West Bayshore
area and the California Avenue PTOD area (including the existing Fry’s Electronics site and
adjacent properties). These concept plans will address land use and circulation and provide
policy guidance for each area. Although the focus of the potential land use changes will be in
these two specific areas, an overall evaluation of land use patterns within an area generally
bounded by Highway 101, El Camino Real, Embarcadero Road and San Antonio Road will
be completed. Three neighborhood workshops for each of the two study areas will be held to
identify issues, develop alternatives and select a preferred alternative. The resulting plans
will establish a vision for each area. Council and Commission input regarding the scope of
the area plans is appropriate at the study session.
CMR: 323:08 Page 3 of 5
For the Cal Avenue PTOD/Fry’s area, it is anticipated that the concept plan will also
include evaluation of the functionality of California Avenue for autos, bicyclists and
pedestrians and potential for redevelopment or intensification near the transit station. The
designation of the Park Boulevard Bicycle Boulevard in the area plan will also be an
important component of this study. Staff anticipates that the preparation of the concept plan
may lead to a more specific plan for this area, with possible funding available from ABAG
as a designated Planned Development Area (PDA).
For the East Meadow/Fabian Way/West Bayshore concept plan, primary issues of concern
will be the balance of residential and non-residential uses and assuring that any new housing
in the area is adequately supported by infrastructure and community services, including
support retail, bikeways and trails, parks and community facilities. The actual boundaries of
this study have yet to be determined but could be expanded to incorporate the potential
Foothill College campus at Cubberley on Middlefield.
• Review and modify appropriate Comprehensive Plan text
Staff will carefully evaluate all policies and programs for relevance and clarity and review
potential changes with the PTC through a series of meetings in the fall/winter 2008/2009.
The vision statements will also be evaluated although it is anticipated that the current vision
statements will continue to serve as the framework for the amendment to the Comprehensive
Plan. Existing land use definitions will be evaluated and appropriate uses under each
definition will be further refined. After PTC review, staff will review all of the policies and
programs with Council in early 2009. Policies that currently allow conversion of non-
residential land to residential uses will be modified to ensure sufficient retail potential and to
prevent loss of potential tax dollars. Policies and programs that limit the loss of retail
serving uses will be strengthened or added.
• Develop a Sustainability theme for inclusion in Comprehensive Plan
Sustainability will be addressed by adding an eighth major theme to the Comprehensive Plan
and incorporating relevant concepts throughout each chapter of the Plan from the City’s
existing programs, policies and initiatives including the City’s Climate Protection Plan. The
Comprehensive Plan will underscore the City’s commitment to addressing climate change
concerns. At this time Staff and the consultants are proposing to incorporate sustainability
components into each of the existing Plan chapters, however, creating a new Sustainability
Chapter is another option.
• Retail Market Analysis/Fiscal Study
ADE will evaluate the fiscal impacts of land-use options through use of a fiscal model. The
model will be useful for understanding how the past and present land use mix has affected
the City’s fiscal conditions. ADE will also prepare a comprehensive assessment of
commercial opportunities in Palo Alto and Palo Alto’s current retail market. Staff has
requested ADE to particularly focus on the viability of neighborhood serving retail areas and
potential opportunities for commercial growth.
• Housing Element and Housing Sites Inventory
CMR: 323:08 Page 4 of 5
The Housing Element programs and polices will be reviewed and modified to address
recommendations from the Below Market Rate Study that was recently approved by Council
and from the May 14, 2008 PTC study session on housing. The focus of the changes is
likely to include policies that encourage more affordable, higher density, smaller units near
transit that appeal to lower income seniors, singles or couples. Staff will initially develop a
Housing Inventory that establishes criteria for recommending sites to place on the inventory.
These criteria may include: proximity to transit along a major transportation corridor,
existing zoning that allows higher density residential either alone or in a mixed use
configuration, and the site potential for redevelopment and/or intensification.
Staff will work closely with the community and the PTC over the next year to develop the
housing policies and programs and a list of potential sites for the Inventory, and will then
share those with the PTC and Council in early 2009 to solicit direction on the City’s
approach to the Housing Element. After completion of the Area Studies, staff will add any
additional housing from those studies to the list of potential inventory sites. From this
expanded list, the PTC and Council will determine the composition of the inventory and
finalize the approach addressing housing needs. It is anticipated that the draft Housing
Element will be completed by the end of July 2009 and forwarded to the State for an initial
compliance review.
• Infrastructure and Community Facilities Analysis
The Comprehensive Plan Amendment will also provide a thorough analysis of levels of
service needs for schools, parks and libraries relative to current and projected growth
(particularly housing growth) through 2020. General areas for new parks and community
facilities will be identified based on unmet need. Policies to support neighborhood
connections to enhance and integrate a pattern of walkable neighborhoods will be developed
and potential connections identified. Staff and the consultants will coordinate with the Palo
Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) to identify school capacity constraints and thresholds
and potential options to accommodate an increased number of students.
• Public Outreach
The main components of the public outreach program for the Comprehensive Plan
amendment that have been identified consist of a variety of methods to engage public
participation and include:
1. A dynamic interactive website with blog that is frequently updated with project
status and a schedule of upcoming events;
2. Newsletters for periodic inclusion in residents’ utility bills;
3. Stakeholder meetings for Area Plans;
4. Neighborhood Workshops for each Area Plan;
5. Community Workshops for overall plan discussion;
6. Integration with PAUSD outreach and programs;
7. A Youth Community Workshop; and
8. A series of PTC Comprehensive Plan meetings
Another major component of the work program will include preparation of an environmental impact
CMR: 323:08 Page 5 of 5
report and integration of CEQA significance thresholds used in the EIR into an appendix to the
Comprehensive Plan amendment. Policies to support neighborhood connections to enhance and
integrate a pattern of walkable neighborhoods will be developed and potential connections
identified.
• Schedule of Work
Attachment A provides a detailed draft timeline for the entire Comp. Plan amendment process. The
main components are:
• Completion of Background Studies – through December 2008
• Review of Comp. Plan policies/programs – October 2008 to March 2009
• Area Concept plan preparation – January 2009 to May 2010
• Draft Housing Element preparation – August 2008 to July 2009
• Comprehensive Plan EIR Preparation – July 2009 to May 2010
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Review and Adoption – June 2010 to December
2010
RESOURCE IMPACTS
There are no fiscal impacts resulting from the study session. The Council approved a budget of
$850,000 in April 2008 for the amendment process, to be spread over 4 years beginning in FY 07/08.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Although this study session will result in no policy decision, the Comprehensive Plan amendment
process enables the Comprehensive Plan to be updated to focus on current City policy and
adequately reflect the City’s vision consistent with the goals of the existing Comprehensive Plan.
The updated plan is intended to provide an effective guide for future growth in the City.
PREPARED BY: __________________________________
JULIE CAPORGNO
Chief Planning & Transportation Official
DEPARTMENT HEAD: __________________________________
CURTIS WILLIAMS
Interim Director of Planning & Community
Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: __________________________________
KELLY MORARIU/STEVE EMSLIE
Interim Deputy City Managers
ATTACHMENTS
A. Schedule of Work for Comprehensive Plan Amendment
CMR: 331:08 Page 1 of 3
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE: JULY 28, 2008 CMR: 331:08
SUBJECT: FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AGREEMENTS FOR THE SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENT OF THE
CITY’S SHARE OF ENTITLEMENTS ON THE CALIFORNIA-OREGON
TRANSMISSION PROJECT TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE
TRANSMISSION AGENCY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDATION
Staff and the Finance Committee recommend that the City Council adopt the attached resolution
authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute Agreements for the short-term
assignment of the City’s share of the electric high voltage California-Oregon Transmission
Project (COTP) to the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility
District (SMUD), thereby lowering the cost to serve the electric utility customers of the City.
BACKGROUND
The City of Palo Alto is a member of the Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC),
a California Joint Powers Agency, whose membership also includes: SMUD; TID; Modesto
Irrigation District (MID); and the California cities of Alameda, Biggs, Gridley, Healdsburg,
Lodi, Lompoc, Redding, Roseville, Santa Clara, and Ukiah. TANC currently owns
approximately 87 percent of the COTP, a 1600 MW, 340 mile long electric transmission line
from the California-Oregon Border (COB) to the 500 kilovolt Tracy Substation in Northern
California. The City has a share of approximately 50 MW of TANC’s entitlement on the COTP.
While the City has utilized the COTP to manage the cost of its electric supply portfolio, the value
of this transmission right in recent years has been lower than the cost of ownership. While the
City continues to consider the COTP a strategic asset for future years when the cost of ownership
can be offset by its market value, the projected short-term value of the asset has prompted staff to
explore temporary assignment options to other members of TANC.
The Utilities Advisory Commission in April conceptually approved staff’s recommendation to
assign the City’s share of the COTP to interested parties. Since then, staff has been pursuing a
15-year assignment agreement with SMUD, TID, and MID. The effective date of this long-term
4
CMR: 331:08 Page 2 of 3
assignment was projected for July or August 2008, but negotiations have taken longer than
expected. When the negotiations are completed in the coming months, staff will bring the final
15-year assignment agreement to Council for approval.
In the interim, until the 15-year assignment agreement is completed, SMUD and TID have
requested a temporary assignment of the City’s rights in the COTP for the months of August
2008 through January 2009, or until the 15 year agreement becomes effective, whichever is
earlier. MID is not interested in participating in the temporary assignment and is waiting for
completion of the 15-year assignment: SMUD and TID will take MID’s share during the
temporary assignment. Such a short-term assignment agreement is expected to have a savings of
$128,000 to $144,000 per month to the City and will be based on the following terms:
1. The Contract shall be negotiated with SMUD and TID, with each entity receiving one-
half of the City’s share of COTP.
2. The Contract will be based on industry standard Western System Power Pool Agreement.
3. Term of the Contract shall not extend beyond January 31, 2009, and shall terminate on
the effective date of the 15-year Assignment Agreement.
4. Compensation for the assignment shall recover the full monthly cost the City incurs to
own the asset (approximately $160,000/month).
FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Finance Committee reviewed and unanimously approved the staff recommendation on July
15, 2008 (CMR:307:08, Attachment C). The Committee discussed how savings from the
assignment would be reflected in the budget and/or utilized. The Committee also discussed the
possibility of increased price differentials between the Northern California and Pacific Northwest
markets, and the difference in generation resource types sold in the two markets.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The net impact on the Electric Fund from the short-term assignment of the COTP is the
difference between revenues from SMUD and TID (equal to the cost of owning the asset of
approximately $160,000 per month), and the value to the City from the use of the COTP asset,
expected to be between $16,000 and $24,000. Thus, the short-term assignment will result in a
net savings of $128,000 to $144,000 per month.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation is consistent with the Council-approved Utilities Strategic Plan with
regard to managing supply portfolio risk to preserve a supply cost advantage. These bilateral
transactions by TANC members are also sanctioned under the TANC Commission-approved
Procedures for Allocations of COTP Transmission (one year or less).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of this agreement does not require review under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) because it does not meet the definition of a “project” pursuant to California Public
Resources Code Section 21065.
CMR: 331:08 Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the City Manager to Execute
Agreements for the Short-Term Assignment of the City’s Share of Entitlements on the
California-Oregon Transmission Project to other TANC Members
B: Draft Transaction Confirmation (WSPP) Agreements for Short-Term Assignment of COTP
Entitlements to TID and SMUD. The complete Western System Power Pool (WSPP) Master
Agreement is available at: www.wspp.org Report that went to the Committee
C: CMR:307:08 – Recommendation to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or his
designee to execute Agreements for the short-term assignment of the City’s share on the
electric high voltage California-Oregon Transmission Project (COTP) to the Turlock
Irrigation District (TID) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
D: PowerPoint presentation made at the July 15, 2008 Finance Committee meeting
E: Excerpted minutes from the July 15, 2008 Finance Committee meeting
PREPARED BY: DEBRA LLOYD
Senior Resource Planner
SHIVA SWAMINATHAN
Senior Resource Planner
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: ________________________________
VALERIE O. FONG
Director of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ________________________________
STEVE EMSLIE/KELLY MORARIU
Deputy City Managers
CMR:317:08 Page 1 of 5
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: JULY 28, 2008 CMR: 317:08
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH O’GRADY PAVING INC. IN THE
TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,402,354 FOR THE 2008 STREET
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, PHASE 2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM PROJECT PE-86070
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the attached contract
in the amount of $1,402,354 with O’Grady Paving Inc. for the 2008 Street Maintenance
Program, Phase 2 - Capital Improvement Program Project PE-86070; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute one or more change
orders to the contract with O’Grady Paving Inc for related, additional but unforeseen
work that may develop during the project, the total value of which shall not exceed
$140,235.
BACKGROUND
Annually, Public Works Engineering manages the resurfacing and reconstruction of various City
streets. The candidate streets are surveyed and rated biannually by a computerized pavement
management system. The annual project typically encompasses about eight lane miles of asphalt
concrete paving and eight lane miles of slurry sealing, with a project budget averaging $2.2
million annually for all phases of the project. Prior to 2005, projects were bid as one project
consisting of slurry and cape seal (preventive maintenance work), concrete street repairs and
asphalt concrete resurfacing. In 2005, staff implemented a two phase program: the first phase
for preventative maintenance work utilizing cape and slurry sealing with the second phase for
concrete street repairs and asphalt concrete resurfacing. This phasing proved to be more cost-
effective avoiding the typical 15% markup previously included in asphalt resurfacing contracts
where preventative maintenance work was subcontracted out.
The proposed 2008 Street Maintenance Project includes cape sealing six (6) lane miles of
collector/resident streets, overlaying six (6) lane miles of backlog streets, and slurry sealing
eleven (11) lane miles of collector/resident streets. The additional lanes miles are a result of
increased project funding from a State of California Prop 1b grant ($807,120) and savings from
the typical 15% markup for subcontracted work.
CMR:317:08 Page 2 of 5
DISCUSSION
Attachment B provides a list of streets to be resurfaced under the attached Phase 2 Contract. Part
of the work under this contract includes related work such as lane striping and various concrete
work including replacement of curb ramps, curb and gutters, driveway approaches and
sidewalks. Curb ramps will be installed to comply with the guidelines of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, the contract will incorporate the removal and replacement
of approximately 200,000 square feet of asphalt and replace any pavement striping in Foothills
Park that was not completed in the 2007 Resurfacing Project with funds from Parks CIP OS-
07000.
The bids for this project were 15% below the engineer’s estimate which allows for inclusion of
five add alternate bid items allowing for more streets (and 2.3 lane miles) to be included. The
additional streets included in these alternates are listed at the bottom of Attachment B. The 2008
Street Maintenance Project will award the base bid and add alternates 2 through 6.
Add alternate 2 is to remove and replace all of the asphalt concrete on Northampton and
Southampton Streets, with three inches of new asphalt. These streets were coordinated with the
Water Main Replacement CIP program to finish their street trenching within months of the
anticipated resurfacing.
Alternates 3 and 4 include two blocks of Bowdoin Street and one block of College Avenue, in
the College Terrace neighborhood. This neighborhood is the City of Palo Alto’s second
designated targeted work zone (TWZ). A TWZ is a location in which all utility work has been
installed at accelerated schedules and most private development has been finalized to
accommodate the paving restoration schedule of Public Works. The College Terrace street
restoration schedule will be done in phases over the next four years and is expected to complete
by 2011 as funding allows. The paving phase in 2011 will include College Avenue following
permanent traffic circle modifications and/or improvements. Staff will update the College
Terrace residents each year as this work progresses.
Alternates 5 and 6 include one block of Homer Avenue, one block of Ramona Street and one
block of Bryant Street all located in the South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) area, the City’s first
TWZ. This work will complete 90% resurfacing of the streets in the South of Forest Area
neighborhood (SOFA).
Add alternate 1 was to place rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) on Alma Street using a
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) grant in the amount of $97,000.
During the time this project was out to bid, however, the City was selected for federal grant
funding, from the Highway Safety Index Program (HSIP). These funds include $900,000 for
Alma Street improvements from Colorado Street to the Mountain View City limits (the same
limits planned under the CIWMB grant). Because the HSIP grant provides almost ten times the
funding as the CIWMB grant for rubberized asphalt and covers additional work such as guard
rails at select locations, staff recommends doing the Alma Street work under the HSIP grant next
year and not including add alternate 1 in this contract. Staff will identify another candidate
street(s) for rubberized asphalt application under the CIWMB program for the 2009-10 Street
Maintenance project.
CMR:317:08 Page 3 of 5
Project Coordination
Staff from the Utilities Department, Public Works Department and Transportation Division,
continue to meet monthly coordinating infrastructure projects city wide. The Phase 2 work in this
contract was also coordinated with the Utilities Department by meeting independently with
Utilities’ project managers that may have a direct impact on the project. During the coordination
meetings, staff has aggressively targeted the South of Forest Area (SOFA) and the College
Terrace neighborhoods. Paving the last remaining street in the SOFA area will occur with this
project. Staff has developed plans and timelines to complete work in localized geographical areas
for College Terrace and other neighborhoods, some of which is included in this project as
described above. The targeted areas will be resurfaced over the next several years once utility
work is completed in each area to prevent trenching in newly repaved streets.
Streets planned for resurfacing were either postponed due to utility projects or accelerated as a
result of obtaining federal/state funding. Staff has made it a priority to ensure newly paved
streets are not trenched unless there is a private development project and/or emergency work
which could not be scheduled in advance of street paving.
Bid Process
A notice inviting formal bids for the 2008 Street Maintenance Program Phase 2 was posted at
City Hall on May 21, 2008 and sent to ten (10) builders' exchanges and 11 bidders. The bidding
period was thirty-five days. Bids were received from four (4) qualified contractors on June 24,
2008 as listed on the attached bid summary (Attachment A). The total for all bids, including
base bid and add alternate Nos. 1-6, ranged from a low bid of $2,078,987 to a high of
$2,355,777.
As mentioned above the low bid is fifteen percent below the engineer’s estimate of $2,459,507.
The engineer’s estimate was based on a standard rate of 5% inflation increase in costs received
on the prior street maintenance project in 2007.
Summary of Bid Process
Bid Name/Number 2008 Street Maintenance Program Phase 2 / IFB #126732
Proposed Length of Project 120 calendar days
Number of Bids Mailed to
Contractors
11
Number of Bids Mailed to Builder’s
Exchanges
10
Total Days to Respond to Bid 35
Pre-Bid Meeting? No
Number of Company Attendees at
Pre-Bid Meeting
N/A
Number of Bids Received: 4
Bid Price Range (including all 5
alternates)
Low bid $2,078,987 to a high of $2,355,777
The Certification of Nondiscrimination is Attachment D.
CMR:317:08 Page 4 of 5
Staff recommends that the base bid, including add/alternates 2 through 6, of $1,402,353
submitted by O’Grady Paving Inc. be accepted and that O’Grady Paving Inc. be declared the
lowest responsible bidder. The change order amount of $140,235 (which equals 10% of the total
contract) is requested to resolve unforeseen problems and/or conflicts that may arise during the
construction period. Staff checked references supplied by the contractor for previous work
performed and found no significant complaints. Staff also checked with the Contractor's State
License Board and found that the contractor has an active license on file.
Following the award of contract, businesses and residents affected by the project will be notified
by notices describing the work on their streets. Staff will hand deliver notices to affected
residents 2 weeks prior to construction start up. “No Parking – Tow Away” signs will be posted
on the affected streets three (3) days prior to construction. If the street will be closed during the
construction, the contractor will also hand deliver door hanger notices seven days and 24 hours
in advance of the construction work on each street. Work is expected to start in July and be
complete in 120 days.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Due to the size of this annual maintenance project, City staffing levels are not adequate to
accomplish the construction work in-house. In addition, the City does not own the type of
equipment needed to perform this work and staff believes that it is cost effective to have the
work performed by outside contractors.
Funds for this project include the following sources: the Street Maintenance Capital
Improvement Program Project PE-86070, Prop 1b, and Foothills Park Road Improvements OS-
07000. Funds are budget in this project for this fiscal year.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation does not represent any change to existing City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project has been determined to be categorically exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as repair and maintenance of existing streets and similar
facilities pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (c).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Contract
Attachment B: List of Streets
Attachment C: Bid Summary
Attachment D: Certification of Nondiscrimination
PREPARED BY: ________________________________
ELIZABETH AMES
Senior Engineer
CMR:317:08 Page 5 of 5
DEPARTMENT HEAD: ________________________________
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ________________________________
STEVE EMSLIE/ KELLY MORARIU
Deputy City Managers
CMR: 327:08 Page 1 of 3
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DE PARTMENT:UTILITIES
DATE: JULY 28, 2008 CMR: 327:08
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A UTILITIES ENTERPRISE FUND BLANKET
PURCHASE ORDER WITH E. J. PIRES TRUCKING INC. IN A NOT TO
EXCEED AMOUNT OF $400,000 FOR SAND, ROCK, AND CUTBACK
ASPHALT FOR UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council approve and authorize the City Manager or his designee to
purchase sand, rock, and cutback asphalt through a blanket purchase order for trench and street
restoration used by the Utilities Department in daily construction operations from E. J. Pires
Trucking Inc. in a not-to-exceed amount of $400,000.
Staff also recommends that the Council approve and authorize the City Manager or his designee
to exercise the option to extend the contract for the second and third years, provided the supplier
is responsive to the City's needs, and the quality of the contractor's work/product is acceptable
during the previous year of the contract.
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The materials to be purchased include: sand, rock, and cutback asphalt. These materials are used
during the daily operations of the Utilities Department and are required for filling trenches and
pits and restoring streets after utility work is performed.
The bid process was used to determine the lowest unit cost supplier of the specified materials.
When materials are needed, they are ordered under a blanket order at the specified price in the
bid.
6
CMR: 327:08 Page 2 of 3
Summary of Bid Process
Bid Name/Number Sand and Rock for WGW Utilities
Proposed Length of Project 36 months
Number of Bids Mailed to
Contractors
10
Number of Bids Mailed to Builder’s
Exchanges
0
Total Days to Respond to Bid 19
Pre-Bid Meeting? No
Number of Company Attendees at
Pre-Bid Meeting
N/A
Number of Bids Received: 6*
Bid Price Range From a low of $344,480 to a high of $416,670
*Bid summary provided in Attachment B.
Staff has reviewed all bids submitted and recommends that the bid of $ 344,480 submitted by E.
J. Pires Trucking Inc. be accepted and that E. J. Pires Trucking Inc. be declared the lowest
responsible bidder. Two bidders on the bid summary bid lower total dollar amounts than E. J.
Pires Trucking Inc. because they did not include the cutback asphalt. The total for the items that
they provided bids for was higher than the low bid.
This contract establishes unit prices for materials that are ordered on an as-needed basis. The
quantities in the bid are estimated amounts, so actual quantities may be greater or lesser than the
bid amounts. Staff is requesting that the spending limit for the blanket purchase order be set at
$400,000 to accommodate the potential purchase of quantities greater than the estimated
amounts.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The purchase of materials under this contract will be funded from the operating budgets of the
Electric, Water, Gas, and Wastewater Utilities.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not applicable.
CMR: 327:08 Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENTS
A: Bid Summary
B: Certificate of Non-Discrimination
PREPARED BY: __________________________________
TOMM MARSHALL
Assistant Director of Utilities
DEPARTMENT HEAD: __________________________________
VALERIE O. FONG
Director of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: __________________________________
STEVE EMSLIE/KELLY MORARIU
Deputy City Managers