Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carolyn Bloede, Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to develop the North Fair Oaks Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing and Community Connections Study
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to develop the North Fair Oaks Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing and Community Connections Study for a term of March 8, 2022 through September 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $550,000.
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BACKGROUND:
On February 12, 2021, the County of San Mateo submitted a Sustainable Communities grant application for the preparation of the North Fair Oaks Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing and Community Connections Study (Study) to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for their Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program statewide competitive funding call for projects. On June 22, 2021, Caltrans announced the grant award for the Study and on August 3, 2021 this Board adopted Resolution No. 078353 accepting the grant funds in the amount of $356,163 under the Transportation Planning Grant Program.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this Study is to assess concept designs that will result in the selection of a community preferred alternative for a new bicycle and pedestrian grade-separated crossing of the Caltrain tracks in North Fair Oaks. The Study will also identify bicycle and pedestrian enhancements on local streets that will link the crossing to key destinations within the neighborhoods on both sides of the tracks within the Study area. The Study area is bounded by Middlefield Road to the north, 5th Avenue to the east, El Camino Real to the south and the border with Redwood City to the west in North Fair Oaks. It will build upon recommendations from the 2011 North Fair Oaks Community Plan and the 2021 Unincorporated San Mateo County Active Transportation Plan that identified the need to create a comprehensive network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to improve connectivity in the North Fair Oaks community and provide an alternative method of transportation. Extensive community engagement with community-based organizations, social service agencies and the local community will occur throughout the Study to ensure the North Fair Oaks community shapes the Study recommendations.
On October 4, 2021, the Office of Sustainability (OOS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop the Study that closed on November 2, 2021. The proposal was listed on Public Purchase and staff reached out to numerous transportation planning and engineering consultants to inform them of the RFP. One proposal was received from the firm of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in partnership with Nelson/Nygaard, PARIKH, Biggs Cardosa Associates and two community-based organizations, Nuestra Casa and Redwood City Together. A review of the submitted written proposal and an oral interview was conducted by a multi-department evaluation panel comprised of County staff from OOS, and the Departments of Planning and Building, Public Works and Health. The evaluation panel is recommending that a contract be awarded to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. The panel based their recommendation on the extensive experience of the proposal team with the planning and design of bicycle and pedestrian grade separations and other active transportation facilities, community outreach expertise in low-income Spanish speaking communities, the inclusion of local community-based organizations as funded community partners, and the responsiveness to the proposed scope of work.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement is for an amount not to exceed $550,000. Funding for the Study is from a variety of different sources that include an awarded $356,163 Caltrans Sustainable Communities grant, $31,667 from a contribution of Measure W funds from the Department of Public Works, $120,503 in General Funds from OOS, and $41,667 in General Funds from the Department of Planning and Building. This funding is included in the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budgets for OOS, and the Departments of Public Works and Planning and Building. There is no new additional Net County Cost for this agreement.