PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Director of Transportation and Capital Improvements
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a contract with Lonestar Site Work for construction services for the Common Street Pedestrian Improvements project and authority for the City Manager to approve any changes up to the contingencies as well as other necessary project expenditures.
Header
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4, 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Common Street Pedestrian Improvements project will improve pedestrian connectivity between neighborhoods, city parks, New Braunfels Public Library, Lamar Elementary School, and the Comal County Fairgrounds by enhancing pedestrian mobility and safety. The project scope includes new sidewalks and curb ramps on both sides of Common Street between S. Liberty Street and Loop 337 and protected pedestrian crossings at key intersections.
The City of New Braunfels was awarded $1,478,910 in funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Alternatives Program to construct pedestrian improvements on Common Street from Liberty Avenue to Loop 337. The project was selected for inclusion in the program which provides 80% of construction cost. The City is responsible for the 20% local construction match and the cost of project development, including full design services. Funding for the City’s portion, design and material testing was authorized by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) in the amount not to exceed $700,000.
The Common Street Pedestrian Improvement project was designed by The Goodman Corporation and on April 14, 2024, a bid was issued. On May 16, 2024, the City received five (5) bids. After review and concurrence with TxDOT the City is recommending Lonestar Site Work for award. Lonestar Site Work was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at $1,583,019.70.
As part of the Advanced Funding Agreement, which is written as a reimbursement agreement, the cost participation breakdown requires that the City pay for all construction costs up-front but shall be able to submit for reimbursement of funds up to 80% of the total construction costs, but not to exceed $1,478,910 which is the Federal Government’s maximum cost participation. The City then, is solely responsible for 20% of construction costs, which currently is $316,603.94 (plus overruns) of the base bid. A 10% project contingency of $158,301 is also recommended to the City’s cost participation portion of the base contract, for an initial City participation amount of $474,904.94.
ISSUE:
Continue an ongoing program of infrastructure construction and maintenance.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
1. Collaborate with governmental partners to improve transportation access and connections throughout the region.
2. Develop a sidewalk inventory and process to assess pedestrian connectivity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility and establish priorities for funding, constructing and maintaining pedestrian improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City must allocate funding for the entire project and subsequently apply for reimbursement of expenditures as they occur. The full cost of the project has been allocated in the 2023 Bond Fund, therefore sufficient funds and allocation are available to award the contract as described above. The City’s matching funds and overruns have been authorized as an expense by the NBEDC up to $700,000.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of a contract with Lonestar Site Work for construction services for the Common Street Pedestrian Improvements project and authority for the City Manager to approve changes up to the contingency as well as other necessary project expenditures.