10 Staff Report - MassolCrosswalk
PREPARED BY: Lisa Petersen
Assistant Public Works Director/Town Engineer
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Director
of Parks and Public Works
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/02/2020
ITEM NO: 10
DATE: May 28, 2020
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the Following Actions for the Massol Intersection Improvements
Project (19-813-0236):
a. Approve the Plans and Specifications;
b. Authorize the Town Manager to Advertise the Project for Bid;
c. Authorize the Town Manager to Award and Execute a Construction
Agreement in an Amount not to Exceed $349,760, Including
Contingencies and Change Orders; and
d. Authorize Staff to Execute Future Change Orders in an Amount not to
Exceed Twenty Percent of the Contract Award Amount.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the following actions for the Massol Intersection Improvements Project (19-813-
0236):
a. Approve the plans and specifications;
b. Authorize the Town Manager to advertise the project for bid;
c. Authorize the Town Manager to award and execute a Construction Agreement in an
amount not to exceed $349,760, including contingencies and change orders; and
d. Authorize staff to execute future change orders in an amount not to exceed twenty percent
of the contract award amount.
BACKGROUND:
The adopted FY 2019/20-2023/24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget designates
funding for the Massol Intersection Improvements project (19-813-0236). This project is
consistent with the Town’s goal to improve public safety, primarily by enhancing pedestrian
safety crossing Highway 9.
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: Approve Actions for the Massol Intersection Improvements Project
DATE: May 28, 2020
BACKGROUND (continued):
On October 17, 2017, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to proceed with the
Highway 9 Corridor Study, that included the area between Los Gatos Boulevard to the east and
the Town limits to the west, with an emphasis on safety and vehicle flow. The intersection at
Massol Avenue and Highway 9 was a prime focus of the study due to safety issues, including a
pedestrian fatality on September 1, 2017. The intersection currently has no traffic control but
does have pedestrian activated flashing beacons intended to alert drivers when a pedestrian is
crossing.
On August 21, 2018, the Town Council reviewed the Highway 9 Corridor Study
recommendations and directed staff to move forward with upgrading the existing flashing
beacons to the LED rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) and additional safety
improvements at the intersection of Massol Avenue. The LED rectangular rapid flashing
beacons (RRFB) are utilized at many of the Town’s other crosswalks providing high visibility of
the crosswalk for drivers. Highway 9 is under the control of the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) and any improvements must ultimately receive Caltrans approval.
Where local agencies desire improvements on State Routes, Caltrans typically expects the local
agency to advance the project and provide funding for a project that ultimately meets Caltrans
standards.
DISCUSSION:
Staff, with consultant assistance, has developed a final design for the RRFB project on Highway
9 at the intersection of Massol Avenue. PPW staff has been working with Caltrans staff since
August 2019 to secure the required Caltrans approval for this project. Staff anticipates receipt
of the Caltrans encroachment permit allowing work within the right of way within the next two
weeks.
The scope of work for the proposed project includes the following measures:
1. Visual narrowing of the roadway to slow traffic with a landscaped median island.
2. Installation of speed feedback display signs.
3. Replacement of existing flashing beacons with higher visibility rectangular rapid flashing
beacons.
4. Installation of a new streetlight closer to the crosswalk for visibility.
5. Installation of green bike lanes on the eastbound and westbound sections of Highway 9
near the crosswalk.
6. Removal of two magnolia trees for improved visibility.
The project plans and specifications can be viewed on the Town website at
http://www.losgatosca.gov/108/Capital-ImprovementProgram.
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SUBJECT: Approve Actions for the Massol Intersection Improvements Project
DATE: May 28, 2020
DISCUSSION (continued):
The engineer’s estimate for this project is $349,760, including a 20% contingency. Typically,
project contingencies are between 10 to 15 percent and are used to resolve unexpected
construction problems during the course of the work. Staff is recommending a larger 20%
contingency for this project due to the work being completed within the Caltrans right of way.
Should a changed condition occur during the course of construction on the project, Caltrans
would need to be consulted and may require additional unanticipated work as a result.
CONCLUSION:
Approval of the recommendations will allow this project to move forward for bidding and
award.
COORDINATION:
This project has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) as highlighted in this report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Parks and Public Works Department continues to plan for, and track costs associated with
capital improvement projects. Where projects can be delivered within the workload of staff
already budgeted in the Department’s operating budget, no costs will be associated with the
project. This project requires the use of some temporary staffing not included in the
Department budget in order to meet schedule and workload commitments. The costs of the
temporary employees will be charged to the project budget.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: Approve Actions for the Massol Intersection Improvements Project
DATE: May 28, 2020
FISCAL IMPACT (continued):
Massol Intersection Improvements
Project 813-0236
Budget Costs
GFAR $ 450,000
Total Budget $ 450,000
Construction $ 291,467
20% Contingency $ 58,293
Temporary Staff Costs $ 29,147
Total Expenditures $ 378,907
Remaining Balance $ 71,093
Staff Costs
Operating Budget (Full time with
benefits) $ 8,744
Total $ 8,744
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically Exempt (Section 15301 (c)).
A Notice of Exemption has been filed.