Agenda - Council - 06/09/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7, 5, Meeting Date: 06/09/2020 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Adopt Resolution #20-124 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Variolite Street Reconstruction, Improvement Project #20-01. Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #20-124 accepting bids and awarding a construction Contract for Variolite Street Reconstruction, Improvement Project #20-01. Background: (This section was updated June Sth following the bid opening.) City Improvement Project 20-01 proposes to reconstruct Variolite Street between Alpine Drive and 173rd Avenue. The street totals approximately 12,000 linear feet (2.28 miles) in length. A figure showing the location and scope of the proposed improvements is included on the cover sheet of the attached plans. On September 10, 2019, the City Council authorized Staff to execute proposals from Hakanson Anderson and Associates for required topographic survey in the amount of $12,800, and from Northern Technologies Inc. for required geotechnical work in the amount of $29,750. This work was necessary to allow the project to be completed in 2020, and the work needed to be completed before winter weather set in. On December 10, 2019, the City Council ordered the City Engineer to prepare a feasibility report to explore the necessity, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the proposed improvements by examining the existing conditions, scope of the proposed improvements, design alternatives, estimated costs and available funding sources, and determining whether the improvements should be completed as proposed or in connection with other improvements. Following discussions with the Public Works Committee in 2019 and 2020, explored options for reducing speeds and improving pedestrian accommodations along Variolite Street in response to input received from area residents. According to the residents, excessive vehicle speeds have been observed along Variolite Street, and pedestrians do not feel safe trying to cross Variolite Street at 161st Avenue. The residents live in the Sweetbay Ridge and Woodlands residential neighborhoods and cross Variolite Street to go to Central Park or the regional trail along Armstrong Boulevard. While preparing the Feasibility Report, Staff explored options for traffic calming along Variolite Street and pedestrian crosswalk improvements at 161 st Avenue. Based on the analysis completed, Staff recommended reconstructing Variolite Street "as is" north of 163rd Lane, but reducing the overall pavement width from 40-feet to 34-feet south of 163rd Lane, allowing for a posted speed limit reduction from 50 mph to 40 mph. Staff also recommended constructing an 8-foot wide raised concrete pedestrian refuge island in the center of Variolite Street, north of 161 st Avenue. This will improve pedestrian safety by allowing pedestrians to focus on one lane of travel at a time, by decreasing the overall distance a pedestrian needs to cross at one time, and by reducing vehicle speeds. On April 14, 2020, the City Council accepted the Feasibility Report, including Staffs recommendations, and ordered preparation of plans and specifications. Final plans and specifications were prepared with the following considerations.