PRESENTER: Presenter
Scott McClelland, Assistant Transportation and Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the final plans, specifications, and estimates of the Alligator Creek Trail East Phase 1 Project.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 27, 2023, City Council approved an Ordinance extending the Creekside Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) to include the limits of the Alligator Creek Trail East and allowing funding from the TIRZ for design and construction of the project estimated at $5M.
A preliminary engineering report was completed in October 2024 and staff subsequently assessed the project priorities for Phase 1 to be the trail segments within the Creekside Development and creek bed of east Alligator Creek between IH-35 and FM-1101. The proposed trail will consist of a new paved 12-foot shared use path connecting the creek trail to existing pedestrian facilities in TxDOT and City of New Braunfels right of way (ROW).
A task order was issued to pre-qualified engineering firms and eleven firms responded. Three firms were selected for interview and based on qualifications, work experience and understanding of work, Freese & Nichols was selected as the final candidate. Staff requested a scope and fee from Freese & Nichols to provide final plans, specifications, and estimates for the Phase 1 trails including final alignment, environmental permitting, stakeholder coordination, hydrologic and hydraulic design in the floodplain, utility coordination, and subsurface utility engineering (SUE) necessary to support the design process. Freese & Nichols has submitted a fee proposal for final design and construction administration services not to exceed $780,438.
ISSUE:
Continue an ongoing program of infrastructure, construction, and maintenance.
Seek alternative funding sources and partnerships that extend city tax dollars.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Creekside TIRZ (Reinvestment Zone No. 1) has approved $5,000,000 for project costs associated with the East Alligator Creek Trail. Therefore, sufficient funds are available to approve this contract.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the final plans, specifications, and estimates of the Alligator Creek Trail East Phase 1 Project and authorization for the City Manager to execute contract modifications in accordance with the established purchasing policy.