Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	David L. Corliss
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Boecker, Shoeb Uddin
Date:	April 29, 2009
RE:	May 5, 2009 Consent Agenda Item Kasold Drive, 31^st Street to Clinton Parkway - Project No. PW0903 Street, Storm Sewer, Waterline Improvements Engineering Services Agreement – Bartlett & West

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the May 5, 2009 meeting:

Project Background.  In November 2008 the community overwhelmingly supported a 0.3% sales tax for infrastructure improvements.  The City began collecting sales tax funds in April 2009.  A portion of the funds ($500,000/year) will be used for continued contracted street maintenance.  In 2009 these funds are being used for improvements on 9^th Street from Iowa to Tennessee.  Several arterial streets are also scheduled for reconstruction:

Wakarusa Drive, Bob Billings Parkway to 18^th Street

5^th & Maple Pump Station

19^th and Iowa to Naismith Drive

Kasold Drive, Harvard Road to Bob Billings Parkway

Wakarusa Drive, Bob Billings Parkway to Legends

Bob Billings Parkway, Crestline Drive to Kasold Drive

Bob Billings Parkway, Iowa to Crestline Drive

The City Commission approved the 2009 contracted street maintenance program at the January 27, 2009 meeting and authorized staff to proceed with engineering proposals for the reconstruction of Kasold Drive from 31^st Street to Clinton Parkway.

Project Description.  Kasold Drive (pictures attached), from 31^st Street to Clinton Parkway, is a failing arterial street carrying 15,000+ vehicles a day.  This street section contains sidewalks, recreational path, storm sewer, and a water main all in good condition.  We anticipate saving as much of these improvements as practical.  The pavement will be replaced with 10” concrete and the sidewalk and recreational path will be connected around the curve to 31^st Street to provide a continuous pedestrian and bike facility.  The need for turn lanes and medians will be reviewed during the design process.  Traffic control will probably be the most significant issue as several neighborhoods have only a single exit access onto Kasold.

Project Funding.  This project is being funded with the Sales Tax Revenue and $1 million from KDOT 5-Year Plan (STP) funds.  The project has been submitted for additional funding in the form of earmarks.  The project is scheduled to bid early 2010.

Project Status.  A committee reviewed the qualifications submitted by eleven firms.  The committee included Shoeb Uddin (City Engineer), Cynthia Boecker (Assistant City Manager), David Cronin (Project Engineer), Paul Buskirk (Neighborhood Representative), and Chuck Soules (Director of Public Works).  Four firms were invited to interview and present their firm’s ideas for the project.  Those firms included:  BHC Rhodes, BG Consultants, Landplan Engineering, and Bartlett & West.  Firms were evaluated on the following:

1.	Commitment of staff, equipment and facilities
2.	Ability to perform the desired services within the time prescribed
3.	Past performance of firm
4.	Staff’s training schools attendance
5.	Previous experience with similar work
6.	Work commitment which could limit performance
7.	Accessibility of firm’s office
8.	Firm’s familiarity with project area
9.	Firm’s knowledge of project procedures
10.	Firm’s consideration of project problems/issues
11.	Thoroughness of presentation
12.	Communication issues
13.	Ability to work with public
14.	Professionalism, comfort level with firm

The committee is recommending that the City negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with Bartlett & West for the following reasons:

§ Bartlett & West has performed well and completed similar projects for the City.

§ The project team was prepared and knowledgeable about the project.

§ Issues were identified and alternatives presented.

§ Good communication skills and a public component to their process.

§ Ready to proceed with the project.  Their work load will allow adequate resources to be assigned to the project.

§ Familiar with KDOT procedures and can complete the project within the time frame provided.

§ Provided good solutions to problems on previous projects.

§ Coordinated with utility companies very successfully in the past.

§ Presentation and overall knowledge of the project/issues was more thorough.

Action Request.  Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with Bartlett & West for engineering services for Kasold Drive reconstruction.  The agreement will be presented to the City Commission for approval.

Please let me know if there are additional questions.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachment:  Kasold Pavement Pictures