Title
Resolution to Authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC for a Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update ($351,670.00)
Memorandum
This memorandum and resolution seek to authorize an Professional Services Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC to complete professional planning, public engagement, engineering and Vision Zero design efforts as part of the development of a Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update.
The City of Ann Arbor sought a consultant to work with City staff and stakeholders to develop Ann Arbor’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update. The consultant will define, develop and recommend implementation activities for a multimodal transportation systems approach to local plans, policies, and programs that support a goal of zero fatalities. The consultant’s planning process will establish community goals for the City’s transportation system, including context sensitive design(s) and speeds appropriate for enhancing safety and mobility for all system users. The consultant will review current practices and work with community stakeholders to establish clear goals, objectives and action steps to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries on the City’s Complete Streets and multimodal transportation system.
This Transportation Plan Update will assist the City as it strives to maintain a long-term view of transportation systems and use that view to develop near-term and long-term capital improvements and transportation programs. This planning effort will be oriented to assure the highest quality of life consistent with the goals of the City, will be guided by an advisory committee of stakeholders and will include substantial public involvement.
Staff recommends awarding the contract to Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC in the amount of $351,670.00, which includes the base proposal ($334,520.00), and an Optional “Walkshops” Task ($17,150.00) to further engage public and agency stakeholders in the planning process. City staff has selected Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC from a formal Request for Proposals R 2018-19 after having been reviewed by an evaluation team consisting of representatives from the City, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, and a member of the City’s Transportation Commission.
The 2018-19 Comprehensive Transportation Plan will replace both the City’s existing Transportation Plan and Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. The 2018-19 Comprehensive Transportation Plan is to be incorporated into the City’s overall Master Plan and will take into account other Master Plan elements, including: the City’s Sustainability Framework; Land Use Plan; Downtown Plan; Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan; Natural Features Master Plan; and the Treeline Urban Trail Master Plan.
In addition, because the Comprehensive Transportation Plan will be incorporated into the Master Plan, the plan development must be performed in accordance with the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Act 33 of 2008).
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The total project costs of $439,670.00, which includes $88,000.00 in internal staff support, is available in the approved FY 2019 Non-Departmental General Fund budget. Budget limitations will not allow for a typical project contingency; therefore, if additional resources are required to successfully complete the project, staff will return to Council for additional resources.
Staff
Prepared by: Raymond Hess, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Nick Hutchinson, City Engineer
Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor aspires to provide safe transportation systems, as detailed in the City’s current Transportation Plan, adopted in 2009, and the Non-motorized Transportation Plan updated in 2013;
Whereas, The City’s transportation planning documents were based on public engagement, planning methods and city policy, resulting in a series of recommended transportation projects, programs and policies deemed appropriate at the time of the plans’ adoption;
Whereas, The City has implemented a substantial amount of the projects, programs and policies identified in the plans;
Whereas, An update to and consolidation of the plans is warranted to reflect current best practices in transportation planning and current community priorities;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor Pedestrian Access and Safety Task Force, Transportation Commission and City Council have adopted Vision Zero as a target for the City’s transportation system;
Whereas, Funding for the project in the amount of $439,670.00 is available in the approved FY 2019 Non-Departmental General Fund budget;
Whereas, Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC has been selected from a formal Request for Proposals R 2018-19 and reviewed by an evaluation team consisting of representatives from the City, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, and a member of the City’s Transportation Commission; and
Whereas, Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC, complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves a contract with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC for a Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update in the amount of $351,670.00;
RESOLVED, That funding for the contract and associated staff effort be available without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the agreement for services after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement the resolution.