Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:

Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun

FROM:

Chuck Soules

Date:

April 18, 2007

RE:

31st Street – Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road

KDOT Project No. 23 U-2117-01 – City Project No. 18-CP7-507(S)

CONSENT AGENDA ITEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please place the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at its August 23, 2007 meeting:

 

Project Details.  In 2006 the City was informed of an $800,000 earmark for the construction of 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.  The earmark does not have any conditions attached; essentially this means the funds can be used for preliminary engineering (design), right-of-way acquisition, and construction.  The project will be administered by KDOT.  KDOT can “charge” a 1% administration cost, leaving the total amount available at $792,000.

 

The City submitted a Request for Construction Project on June 15, 2006 to initiate the project.  The project does have a schedule with a tentative letting of October 2008; however, we have to have the project complete in ten years so the letting date could be moved.

 

Project Status.   KDOT will require “Field Check Plans” which need to be 60-70% complete prior to purchasing right-of-way. 

 

Work items include:

·        Execute City-State Agreement - complete

·        Begin consultant selection process – City Commission approved April 24, 2007.

·        Consultant selection:  The City received nine proposals from engineering firms for this project.  Four firms were interviewed: TranSystems, Professional Engineering Consultants, Wilson & Co., and Affinis.  The interview panel included: Brad Finkleldei from the MPO; Michael Caron from “Save the Wakarusa Wetlands”; Keith Browning, Douglas County Engineer; Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer; and Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works.  Firms were evaluated based on their project understanding and approach, work elements and sequencing, experience and qualifications, public participation, and environmental awareness.

·        Meet with City Manager and City Commission to discuss 31st Street Study and goals for project

·        Public process

·        “Field Check Plan”  completion

·        Property acquisition

 

Pending funding:

·         Proceed to final plan

·          Bid/construct

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Request. 

1. Request approval from City Commission to enter into negotiation with Wilson & Co for professional services for 31st Street, Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.

2.  Establish date to discuss Commission goals for this project so we might begin establishing Scope of Services.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je