CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 19, 2016
PREPARED BY: Edith Ramirez, Economic Development Director/Community Development
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH DAVID J. POWERS & ASSOCIATES
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution approving:
1. First Amendment to Agreement with David J. Powers & Associates for up to $107,660 for technical support services related to environmental review of the High Speed Rail project; and
2. Appropriating $42,850 in General Fund expenditures for estimated consulting costs.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Planning Our Community
Developing Our Community
Participate in Regional Issues
REPORT NARRATIVE:
On June 1, 2016, the City Council approved a contract for $64,810 with David J. Powers & Associates (DJP&A) for technical support services related to environmental review of the High Speed Rail (HSR) project. The High Speed Rail project is a State of California transportation system that will connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles (eventually from Sacramento to San Diego) with a train system that will run at speeds of over 200 miles per hour. The California HSR is currently considering the following alternatives through Morgan Hill:
1. At grade, on a berm, along Monterey Road or adjacent (on the east side) of the Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR) tracks
2. Elevated, in a viaduct, along Monterey Road or adjacent (on the east side) of the Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR)
3. Elevated in a viaduct alongside the west side of Highway 101
4. Elevated in a viaduct alongside the east side of Highway 101
DJP&A's scope was to provide technical support associated with the analysis of the San Jose to Merced Project Section review that will be included within the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Technical support includes review of preliminary engineering documents and to help assess potential impacts of the various alternatives being considered through Morgan Hill. This work is anticipated to be reimbursed by HSR as part of the HSR Reimbursement Agreement approved by Council on June 1, 2016.
The work associated with the HSR project has increased due to the new alternative along the west side of 101 that was recently developed. DJP&A has been working on analysis that articulates the impact of the various alignments and quantifies the number of residential properties and commercial businesses impacted. Furthermore, Hexagon Transportation Consultants, a sub- consultant to DJP&A created a Transportation and Construction Analysis that articulates the potential impacts to the street network and suggests mitigations for the various alternatives.
Currently, we have exhausted the funds allocated to the contract and additional work is needed to develop an official Scoping Letter that needs to be submitted to the California High Speed Rail Authority to be considered for the environmental analysis. An additional $42,850 is needed to complete this work. Staff recommends the Council approve the First Amendment to Agreement with David J. Powers & Associates to increase the original amount of $64,810 by $42,850 for a total of $107,660. The draft scope of work is attached to the First Contract Amendment.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Collaborate
Many meetings have taken place over the last couple of months, including internal and regional technical meetings and two regional Working Group meetings with community representatives from the communities of Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy. At the last Working Group meeting, a new west of 101 alignment was presented. A City Council Study Session took place on September 21, 2016 in which the lead project engineer presented the various alternatives over an aerial. A business meeting was held on September 20, 2016 in collaboration with the Downtown Association and the Chamber of Commerce and a Community meeting was held on September 27, 2016. High Speed Rail staff attended all of these meetings and presented information on the new alignment which seems to suggest is the more viable option for High Speed Rail in terms of costs and construction impacts.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
The Council may choose not to approve the First Contract Amendment with David J. Powers and Associates.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
It is clear that the project is quickly evolving and it is the desire of staff to bring current information to the City Council and to schedule a community workshop as soon as feasible.
On June 1, 2016, the City Council received a presentation by High Speed Rail regarding the status of its project. At that meeting, the City Council approved a reimbursement agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and approved consultant agreements with Apex Strategies and David J. Powers and Associates. The Council also adopted a resolution reaffirming the City of Morgan Hill's position that Highway 101 is the preferred alignment for High Speed Rail (HSR) through Morgan Hill. A similar resolution was approved in 2009 and 2010.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
The Reimbursement Agreement with CHSRA provides for reimbursement to the City for staff and consultant work. While these costs would be appropriated from the General Fund, staff anticipates full reimbursement by HSR. A Budget Score Card for the $42,850 in estimated appropriations and revenues is attached.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a "project" and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution for First Amendment to Agreement with David J. Powers & Associates
2. Budget Score Card
3. First Amendment to Agreement with David J. Powers & Associates