HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-23 City Council (16)City
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
FEBRUARY 23, 1998
USE OF C. ITY MANAGER’S EMERGENCY
AUTHORITY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS
CMR:143:98
CONTRACTS
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
As a result of the flooding emergency which began on February 2, 1998, infrastructure in
several areas of Palo Alto has been damaged or destroyed. The damage has been caused
primarily by flood waters, erosion and fallen trees.
DISCUSSION
Areas along streambanks, particularly San Franeisquito Creek, have been particularly hard-
hit, in some cases requiring street closure. In other areas, the infrastructure is still functional,
but may be endangered by future storms. In order to quickly repair the damage, emergency
contracts have been established with Power Engineering Contractors, McGuire & Hester
Construction Company and Pacific Geotechnical Engineering. These fLrmS will perform the
following work items:
Repair embankment and roadway on Palo Alto Avenue between Tasso and Webster.
The roadway has been undermined by a tree falling into the San Francisquito creekbed,
which resulted in one lane of Palo Alto Avenue being closed to traffic.
Repair erosion damage at the Palo Alto Avenue/Waverley bicycle bridge abutment.
Erosion has washed away soil at the base of the abutment on the Palo Alto side of San
Francisquito Creek.
Repair damage to culverts in the Arastradero Preserve. Several creek crossings have
been damaged or destroyed, making it difficult for utility and fire vehicles to access the
Preserve.
Repair roadway and embankment on Los Trancos Road. Los Trancos Creek has eroded
the roadway shoulder and endangered the road. Repairs are required immediately to
prevent further erosion and loss of~he road.
CMR:143:98 Page 1 of 3
Roadway, bikeway, levee and Other miscellaneous repairs at several locations
throughout the City.
Each of these items require immediate repair, either because they are used extensively by the
public or City (e.g., roads), or because failure to repair now will cost more to repair in the
future (e.g, culverts, abutments).
Both construciion firms have worked successfully with the City on earlier projects and were
selected based on their expertise and availability. The work will be coordinated with
reviewing agencies such as the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the Department ofFish
and Game, which are typically waiving normal permitting and oversight requirements for
emergency repairs.
These contracts with Power Engineering Contractors and McGuire & Hester were entered
into under the authority authorized by the City Manager in emergency situations. In
accordance with the Municipal Code, staff must report contracts entered into during an
emergency at the next regular Council meeting.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The two contracts will be charged against the Public Works Department budget. While there
is currently budget available, there will be ir~sufficient funding to cover these projects by the
end of 1997-98. Therefore, the 1997-99 Midyear Report will include a recommendation to
increase the Public Works Department budget. This increase will be funded by the Reserve
for Emergencies.
The City Manager has authorized up to $300,000 for the repair work now in progress, of
which $235,000 has been allocated to the Power Engineering and McGuire & Hester
contracts. An additional $200,000 has been authorized for work that is currently being
identified. It is likely, however,.that much or all of the $200,000 will be needed to repair an
embankment failure that is occurring in the shoulder area of Page Mill Road, three miles
above the entrance to Foothills Park. A lane of traffic has been closed for 100 feet. adjacent
to a crack approximately one square foot wide which has opened in the downhill gravel
shoulder area. Staff is currently nearing final scope and fee negotiations for an options
feasibility study with Pacific Geotechnical Engineering. The preliminary study will be on
a time and materials basis, not to exceed $28,000. Design and construction costs can be
determined once the best solution has been identified.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These infrastructure repairs are being accomplished under the authority authorized the City
Manager in emergency situations.
CMR: 143:98 Page 2 of 3
PREPARED BY: Karen Bengard, Senior Engineer
DEPARTMENT HEAD: .~/~- ~~~’~
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Assistant City Manager
¯ CMR:143:98 Page 3 of 3