HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 6714
City of Palo Alto (ID # 6714)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 3/28/2016
Summary Title: Contract Amendment for Fehr and Peers for Bicycle
Boulevard Concept Planning
Title: Approval of Amendment Number Two to Contract Number C14153335
With Fehr and Peers to Extend the Term of the Contract for Planning,
Community Outreach, Conceptual Design, Preliminary Environmental
Assessment for Bicycle Boulevard Projects to March 8, 2017
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute
Amendment Two to Contract No. C14153335 with Fehr and Peers (Attachment A) to extend the
term of the contract for planning, community outreach, conceptual design, preliminary
environmental assessment for bicycle boulevard projects through March 8, 2017, at no
additional cost to the City.
Executive Summary
In March 2014, Council awarded an 18-month contract to Fehr and Peers for planning and
preliminary environmental assessment of the Barron Park neighborhood Class III bikeways,
Bryant Street bicycle boulevard extension, Maclane Street-Wilkie Way-Miller Avenue-Del Medio
Avenue bicycle boulevard, Park Boulevard bicycle boulevard, and Stanford Avenue bicycle
boulevard. In December 2015, Amendment One was executed, which extended the term of the
contract until March 2016.
Significant work has occurred under the contract since March 2014, and Council approved
concept plans for the Bryant Street bicycle boulevard extension, Maclane Street-Wilkie Way-
Miller Avenue-Del Medio Avenue bicycle boulevard, Park Boulevard bicycle boulevard, and
Stanford Avenue bicycle boulevard in 2015. Due to challenges around community engagement,
traffic circulation, and on-street parking, the concept plans Barron Park neighborhood Class III
bikeways have been put on hold indefinitely.
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The current contract expired on March 8, 2016 and will need to be extended to March 8, 2017
in order to complete the preliminary environmental assessment for the bicycle boulevard
projects and further refine the concept plan for the Maclane Street-Wilkie Way-Miller Avenue-
Del Medio Avenue bicycle boulevard.
Background and Discussion
The Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan was adopted by Council on July 9, 2012. The Plan
includes a proposed bikeway network of off-street multi-use paths, bicycle boulevards, bicycle
lanes, and enhanced bikeway facilities. The Plan has stated goals of increasing bicycle traffic for
local and total work commutes by 100% by 2020 by providing improved facilities along the
proposed bike network, which facilitates both north-south and east-west connectivity
throughout the City.
Implementation of the Plan started in 2013 with Council authorization of up to $1.2 million per
year over five years as part of the Capital Improvement Program. With this commitment of
funds, 18 projects are currently being planned and designed.
The City released the Palo Alto Bicycle Boulevards RFP on October 1, 2013. The RFP scope
included ten bicycle boulevards and enhanced bikeway projects. On March 17, 2014, Council
awarded an 18-month contract to Fehr and Peers in the amount of $450,000 for planning and
preliminary environmental assessment of the Barron Park neighborhood Class III bikeways,
Bryant Street bicycle boulevard extension (from East Meadow Drive to San Antonio Road),
Maclane Street-Wilkie Way-Miller Avenue-Del Medio Avenue Bicycle Boulevard (from Park
Boulevard to San Antonio Road), Park Boulevard bicycle boulevard (from Castilleja Avenue to
West Charleston Road), and Stanford Avenue bicycle boulevard (from El Camino Real to Park
Boulevard). On December 11, 2015, Amendment One was executed, which extended the term
of the contract until March 8, 2016. The amended contract expired on March 8, 2016 and will
need to be extended to March 8, 2017 in order to complete the preliminary environmental
assessment for the bicycle boulevard projects and further refine the concept plan for the
Maclane Street-Wilkie Way-Miller Avenue-Del Medio Avenue bicycle boulevard. Brief updates
on the status of the projects included in this contract are listed below.
Barron Park Neighborhood Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes
The Barron Park Neighborhood Bicycle and Pedestrian Route project includes concepts for
“suggestion lanes” and shared-lane pavement markings on streets in Barron Park including:
• Barron Avenue, Laguna Avenue to El Camino Real
• Los Robles Avenue, Laguna Avenue to El Camino Real
• La Donna Avenue, Barron Avenue to Los Robles Avenue
• Amaranta Avenue, Los Robles Avenue to Maybell Avenue
• Laguna Avenue, Matadero Avenue to Los Robles Avenue
Resident input focused on pedestrian safety due to the lack of sidewalk facilities within the
Barron Park Neighborhood. In response, the current Concept Plans include options for the use
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of stamped asphalt treatments to delineate and highlight roadway space for bicycle and
pedestrian use without construction of sidewalk facilities. The City has also considered options
for the use of innovative “suggestion lane” pavement marking treatments. “Suggestion lanes”
designate roadway space for bicycle/pedestrian use and leave the remaining width available for
motor vehicle travel. Opposing motor vehicles may have to encroach into the
bicycle/pedestrian space to pass each other, if no bicyclists or pedestrians are present.
Based on community input, staff has refocused resources on improvements near Barron Park
Elementary and on an upcoming resurfacing project on Laguna Avenue. Staff believes that more
extensive corridor projects throughout Barron Park neighborhood should be placed on hold as
the layout of Barron Park streets effectively discourages regional traffic on the local streets.
Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension
This project will extend the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard from East Meadow Drive to the
city’s southern limits near San !ntonio Road and Nita Avenue. The project includes a new traffic
signal at East Meadow Drive & ryant Street, traffic calming measures through the “ircles”
neighborhood including bulb-outs and chicanes on Redwood Circle, along with sharrow
roadway marking treatments and enhanced crosswalks. At Nelson Drive and the rear entrance
to Cubberley Center, the project includes a raised intersection to calm traffic. In response to
community input, Staff extended bikeway treatments on Nelson Drive to Charleston Road. Staff
is continuing to work with Google on “The Rails” project in Mountain View to advance
implementation of the Nita Avenue improvements in Palo Alto. The Concept Plan for the
Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension was approved by Council in 2015. The preliminary
environmental assessment will be submitted for approval by Council during the final design
phase. Final design is anticipated to be completed in fall 2016, with construction beginning later
in early 2017.
Park Boulevard Bicycle Boulevard, including Stanford Avenue connection
Park oulevard is the ity’s most traveled bicycle route. The project includes traffic calming
such as traffic circles, median islands, and speed tables, wider bicycle lanes, crosswalk
improvements, and stop sign removal. The project is being coordinated with the Charleston
Road-Arastradero Road Corridor improvements for intersection treatments at Park Boulevard
and Charleston Road. In response to comments received from the Planning and Transportation
Commission and City Council, staff conducted an additional neighborhood meeting in October
2015 at the Escondido School to further refine the concept plan before advancing into final
design. It is estimated that about 20 residents attended. There was widespread support for the
proposed traffic calming along Park Boulevard and Stanford Avenue, however there was a great
deal of concern surrounding the section of Park Boulevard between California Avenue and
Lambert Avenue. Generally, attendees did not feel that the approved Concept Plan offered
sufficient comfort and safety for cyclists in this stretch. As we move into final design, staff is
considering some type of Class IV separated bikeway facility in this section, due to the heavy
traffic and large number of turning conflicts in the vicinity of Page Mill Road. The Concept Plan
for the Park Boulevard Bicycle Boulevard was approved by Council in 2015. The preliminary
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environmental assessment will be submitted for approval by Council during the final design
phase. Final design is anticipated to be completed in fall 2016, with construction beginning later
in early 2017.
Wilkie Way Bicycle Boulevard
Wilkie Way connects to Park Boulevard via Maclane Street and provides a connection to
Mountain View via Miller Avenue and Del Medio Avenue. The street currently provides wide
motor vehicle travel lanes and residents have expressed concerns regarding motor vehicle
speeds between Maclane Street and Charleston Road. The project includes intersection
improvements, including bulb-out treatments and traffic circles. Similar improvements were
initially considered south of Charleston Road but residents expressed concern regarding the
benefit of larger improvements in this neighborhood given the existing end-of-street condition
south of Whitclem Drive. South of the Wilkie Way Bridge, traffic calming with median islands in
the Monroe neighborhood are included in the project. These will help to slow motor vehicle
speeds. The Concept Plan for the Wilkie Way Bicycle Boulevard was approved by Council in
2015. The preliminary environmental assessment will be submitted for approval by Council
during the final design phase. Final design is anticipated to be completed in fall 2016, with
construction beginning later in early 2017.
Resource Impact
This is an extension of time only. No tasks are added to this contract. There are sufficient
resources in CIP PL-04010 to fund this contract. There is no additional resource impact by
extending the term of the contract through Amendment Two at no additional cost to the City.
Policy Implications
The approval of Amendment Two, extending the term of the contract through March 2017 is
consistent with existing City policies, including the Council approved Bicycle + Pedestrian
Transportation Plan goals and objectives.
Environmental Review
Approval of Amendment Two does not require review under the California Environmental
Quality !ct (EQ!) because they do not meet the definition of a “project” pursuant to alifornia
Public Resources Code Section 21065.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Fehr & Peers Contract C14153335 Amendment 2 (PDF)
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1of 1 Revision April 28, 2014
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT NO. C14153335
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND FEHR & PEERS
This Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C14153335 (“Contract”) is entered into
March 28, 2016, by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal
corporation (“CITY”), and FEHR & PEERS, a California corporation, located at 160 W. Santa Clara
Street, Suite 675, San Jose, CA. 95113, Telephone: (408) 278-1700 ("CONSULTANT").
R E C I T A L S
A. The Contract was entered into between the parties for the provision of
planning, community outreach, conceptual design, and preliminary environmental assessment of the
implementation of the Bicycle Boulevards project.
B. The City intends to increase the term to March 8, 2017.
C. The parties wish to amend the Contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, and
provisions of this Amendment, the parties agree:
SECTION 1. Section 2 TERM is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SECTION 2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be from March 10, 2014 through March 8,
2017 unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 19 of this Agreement.”
SECTION 2. Except as herein modified, all other provisions of the Contract,
including any exhibits and subsequent amendments thereto, shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have by their duly authorized representatives
executed this Amendment on the date first above written.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
FEHR & PEERS
DocuSign Envelope ID: DC941CD4-2BD9-435E-9B1E-52A22100F4AF
President/CEO
ATTACHMENT A -