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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRANS SYST MCBEAN TRANSFER STN (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by:T.Brad Therrien DATE: April 25, 2000 SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT SYSTEM, MCBEAN TRANSFER STATION, PROJECT NO. T1007 — UTILITY CONFLICTS DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council approve the expenditure of $400,000.00 for the McBean Transfer Station, Project No. T1007, to the Gas Company to cover all costs related to the relocation of the high-pressure natural gas line. Authorize the City Manager to transfer $400,000.00 from the City Council Contingency Fund, Account No. 1240-7401 to Account No. T1007001-8001. BACKGROUND The McBean Transfer Station is to be located on Valencia Boulevard west of McBean Parkway adjacent to "The Greens" development. This project will provide for bus -to -bus transfers for patrons using the Santa Clarita Transit system. Given its location, the transfer station will allow for the restructuring of bus routes, resulting in a daily reduction of 324 bus miles (96,348 annually). The scope of work for the McBean Transfer Station project is to include a pedestrian island with space to park 12 buses. Additional features will include passenger amenities and interconnection with local pedestrian access. During the initial site investigation and purchase in 1997, staff was aware that the site could be subject to seismic instability due to the existence of the "Kew" fault in the vicinity. The location of a number of underground utilities, including a high-pressure gas line, was also disclosed. Based on information known at the time, the Gas Company indicated that a transfer station could be constructed over their line at this location. As more detailed research was prepared during the design phase of the project, more focus was brought upon the subsurface conditions. The Gas Company realized that the subject line was much older than originally thought. Upon closer consideration, the potential for interaction between the fault and the natural gas line raised safety concerns that cannot be adequately addressed without upgrading and relocating the line. The Gas Company suggested that the City upgrade and relocate the line a minimum distance away from the proposed platform. Because their company has "prior rights" over the alignment, costs for the relocation would have to be borne by the City in an amount approaching $400,000.00. Staff had been working to resolve these issues without the need to relocate the PP0 I ER! Agenda Item: SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT SYSTEM McBEAN TRANSFER STATION April 25, 2000 — Page 2 subject line and has now exhausted all alternatives. Staff and the City's consultants now agree that the best and safest course of action would be to relocate the gas line. In order to obtain federal environmental clearance, potential hazards must be properly investigated and resolved. Relocating the gas line will best satisfy these requirements. Staff is requesting the entire estimated amount now in order to be able to direct the Gas Company to move forward. Staff will continue to work with the Gas Company and the adjacent Property owner, the Newhall Land and Farming Company (NLF), for their participation in the costs for this relocation. If staff is successful, the total amount estimated for this relocation will be reduced. Through the design process, it was decided that a bus -to -bus transfer facility should have continuous pedestrian protection from the elements (sun and rain). As reported during the January 11, 2000 Council meeting, the cost estimate for such a continuous canopy is nearly $600,000.00, which was not part of the original project scope. Staff is requesting additional funding from the MTA's Abbreviated Call for Projects. If successful, these additional funds would cover the utility relocation, as well as construction of the canopies. Otherwise, that amenity can be reduced in scope, postponed, or eliminated. Once the decision to relocate the gas line is confirmed, staff will move rapidly to authorize the Gas Company to move forward to complete the design and environmental approvals, and put the project out to bid for construction. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Postpone the appropriation of funds for the Gas Company utility relocation until the results of the Abbreviated Call for Projects are posted in May 2000. Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT A total of $1.9 million has been previously appropriated by the City Council to fund the City's Transfer Station. The additional $400,000.00 requested is to be made available from the City Council's Contingency Fund. If approved, full funding would be available to construct all aspects of this project, with the exception of the canopies. Potential funding for the canopies may become available through the MTA's Abbreviated Call for Projects. ATTACHMENT Vicinity Map KM:tw 3 O, C e le + 62;zLU F< Z -i Wa U F- w N F O F-