Staff is recommending that the City Council approve the attached agreement with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates for the design of the Washington Avenue Improvements Project. This is a new project, and is not reflected in the FY 1999-2000 Resource Allocation Plan. Staff is requesting that the Council create this new project, with a budget of $162,000, by approving Budget Modification Number 16.

Washington Avenue between Mathilda Avenue and Town Center Drive is a major downtown business collector street. It is the primary feeder for the Sunnyvale Town Shopping Center, for which renovation plans are being prepared by a developer. The parking facilities at the shopping center will be reconfigured as part of the renovation project. The Washington Avenue Improvements Project will facilitate the projected increase in the traffic, and will also facilitate access to the reconfigured parking facilities. The need for this project was identified recently as a result of the shopping center renovation plans, and, therefore, it is not included in the approved budget. Proceeding with the design at this time is necessary to meet the proposed schedule for completion of the renovated shopping center.

A Special Development Permit (SDP) was approved March 11, 1999, for American Mall Properties (AMP). That SDP was conditioned, requiring AMP to provide a fair share contribution of 41% of the Washington Avenue Improvement project costs.

An SDP for the Mozart Group in connection with the Downtown Development (Mozart) is tentatively scheduled for Council consideration in March of 2000. It is anticipated that a condition requiring a fair share contribution (share to be determined) may be included if the SDP is approved.

Additional funds required for construction will be requested during the coming budget process.

Presently, Washington Avenue consists of four lanes, two lanes eastbound and two westbound. Washington Avenue carries between 9,000 and 12,000 vehicles per day. Within the project limits are two signalized intersections.

The proposed improvements include widening and reconstruction of approximately 575 linear feet of Washington Avenue and all other features related thereto. The major components of the project include:

1. Widening Washington Avenue for two additional lanes westbound from Mathilda Avenue to Aires Way. Widening Washington Avenue for one additional lane westbound from Aires Way to Town Center Drive. Right-of-way acquisition is required.
2. Modifying the existing traffic signals systems at the Washington Avenue/Mathilda Avenue and the Washington Avenue/Town Center Drive intersections. Modifying the existing coordination, interconnection and monitoring capabilities of the traffic signal systems. Preparing complete traffic signal plans and signing and delineation plans.

Staff received four proposals from engineering firms to provide professional design services for the project. All four firms made oral presentations as part of the interview process. The firm of Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates was selected based on their overall responses to the specific needs of this project, their understanding of the design requirements, the capability of the staff proposed for this project, and their proposed approach for phasing of the project.

The complete scope and description of work is shown under "Exhibit A" of the Consultant Services Agreement, which is included herein as Attachment 1. The negotiated consultant fee is structured as follows:

The consultant fee for this project is $139,900. This is a new, unbudgeted project with total costs of $162,000. There is funding available in the General Fund reserves to cover an advance for the costs of this project. A portion of the cost may be recovered from AMP’s required fair share contribution of 41% to the project through the existing SDP. If an SDP is approved for Mozart, it is possible that another portion of the cost would be recovered if a fair share contribution is made a condition of the SDP. Any cost recovered would be returned to the General Fund.

Posting of the Council Agenda. This report is also available on the City’s Internet page and at the City Library.

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Approve Budget Modification Number 16 in the amount of $162,000.

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Consultant Services Agreement with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates in an amount not to exceed $139,900 and approve a design contingency in the amount of $21,000 for optional consultant services for the Washington Avenue Improvements Project.

Prepared by:

Ray C. Williamson
City Traffic Engineer

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose
Director of Public Works

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley
Director of Finance

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager