Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2018-07 for a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. relating to the design of the Westside Trail project; and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
With the goal to promote a pedestrian and bicycle-oriented trail network, the City adopted a Trail Master Plan in 2015. Trails are important in accommodating the multimodal needs of the City and the region. Within the City’s adopted Trail Master Plan is the Westside Trail connection from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Station to Campion Trail in Irving. This portion of the City’s trail system is also identified as part of the region’s Veloweb in the region’s Mobility 2040 plan. Specifically, this Westside Trail project will construct trails from the Farmers Branch DART Station to Mercer Parkway and then from the intersection of Valley View Lane/Mercer Parkway/State Highway 190 to the Campion Trail in Irving. The central portion of this trail has been or will be completed by developers.
In May of 2017, City Council approved Resolution No. 2017-037 contracting with Lina T. Ramey and Associates, Inc. (LTRA) to perform preliminary design of the Westside Trail plan in an amount not to exceed $158,819.50. During the preliminary design and multiple meetings with stakeholders, it became clear that the City’s portion of the trail requires extensive coordination with multiple agencies including Dallas County, the City of Dallas, Valwood Improvement Authority (VIA), North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), DART, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), and private landowners. In addition, the City’s portions are complicated with two or three creek crossings, crossing the I-35 corridor, and portions of the trail crossing portions of Dallas and Irving. Having a consultant that has contacts with the stakeholders, experience with navigating the various permitting offices, and coordinating a large project with multiple agencies would be critical to the success of this trail project. At no fault to LTRA, the contract was mutually dissolved, and LTRA was compensated $81,887.53 for their services.
Staff determined the necessity to work with a firm that has extensive experience in urban design and working with federal agencies to conform to their guidelines and regulations. Staff interviewed three firms for this project and selected Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA) to complete the preliminary design plan of the trail connections and potential hydrologic studies that may be needed for creek crossings. Staff has negotiated a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA). KHA is a professional consulting engineering firm with an office in located in Farmers Branch. KHA has experience in the development of similar plans for both public and private clients and is qualified to perform the services necessary for this project.
The contract is an amount not to exceed $326,900 for preliminary design plans and potential hydrologic studies. The document will establish the alignment of the trail connections, design drawings, conduct any necessary hydrologic studies to demonstrate compliance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and determine bridge construction methodology, and a design cost estimate of the project. Upon completion of the preliminary design process staff will return to Council with a recommendation for a contract to develop the final design plans.
Funding for this project comes from different sources. In May 2016, City Council approved Resolution No. 2016-044 entering into the Project Specific Funding Agreement with Dallas County for $3,000,000 towards the Westside Trail connection. This funding agreement specifies that the City and County will each bear 50% of the $3,000,000 funding agreement. The majority of the City’s portion of the project funding, $1,000,000, is from hotel-motel fund. The additional $500,000 of City funding is in $100,000 allotments each year in the Non-Bond CIP Fund. City staff is also assessing and applying for other funding through applicable federal and state grants.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends approval of Resolution No. 2018-07 for a Professional Services Agreement with KHA relating to the design of the Westside Trail project.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to approve Resolution No. 2018-07 approving a Professional Services Agreement with KHA relating to the design of the Westside Trail project.
2. I move to approve Resolution No. 2018-07 approving a Professional Services Agreement with KHA relating to the design of the Westside Trail project, with modifications.
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location map
2. Resolution No. 2018-07
3. Professional Service Agreement
4. Contract Certificate 1295 No. 2018-305301