HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - WHITTAKER BERMITE STUDY CONTR (2)Agenda Item: 7)
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval. "—
Item to be presented by: Damon Letz
DATE: August 22, 2006
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES CONTRACT WITH J.L. PATTERSON &
ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PREPARE A FEASIBILITY AND TRACK
REALIGNMENT STUDY WITHIN THE WHITTAKER/BERMITE
AND CITY PROPERTIES
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a professional services contract
between the City of Santa Clarita and J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. for the preparation of a
Feasibility and Track Realignment Study in the amount of $146,912.00, and authorize a
contingency in the amount of $30,000.00, subject to City Attorney approval.
Transfer funds from City Council Contingency Account No. 2250-7401 to Expenditure Account
No. C4006001-8001 in the amount of $120,000.00. Increase Revenue Account No. 206-5141
Proposition A -Local Return by $60,000.00, and appropriate to Expenditure Account No.
C4006206-8001.
BACKGROUND
City staff is currently reviewing the development and land use options for the 996 -acre
WhittakerBermite property located adjacent to City -owned property (approximately 200 acres),
south of Soledad Canyon Road and east of Bouquet Canyon Road. The Roadway Circulation
General Plan for this vicinity includes two future major thoroughfares that will cross the
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)/Metrolink tracks:
Location No. 1 - Magic Mountain Parkway extension at San Fernando Road/Bouquet
Canyon Road currently has a design for a grade -separated intersection.
• Location No. 2 - Santa Clarita Parkway will intersect at Soledad Canyon Road east of
the Santa Clarita Commuter Rail Station, and will also require a grade -separated intersection.
Additionally, the Ventura County Transportation Committee (VCTC) has expressed interest in
extending the Santa Paula Line to the terminus at the Santa Clarita Commuter Rail Station.
Staff submitted Requests for Proposals to four qualified engineering firms to study and prepare
alternative track realignment scenarios that could potentially eliminate the need for the grade -
separated intersections with consideration for a spur segment of track that can serve the VCTC's
future needs. The realignment would soften the curve of the existing SCRRA track and increase
operational rail speed.
The study will provide alternate track alignments and preliminary cost estimates that will allow
staff to present to the developer of the WhittakerBermite property for consideration in preparing
a land use plan.
In the review process for the consultant selection, J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. received the
highest rating. This consultant has recently completed a similar realignment concept design and
report for the segment of track immediately east of the Santa Clarita Commuter Rail Station, and
is familiar with the territory. They are currently under contract with Southern California
Association of Government (SCAG)NCTC, and in the process of completing a site -condition
assessment for the Santa Paula line that will offer connection options to the existing Metrolink
service in Santa Clarita. For these reasons, staff considers J.L. Patterson & Associates the most
qualified firm for the job.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The design concept and rail alignment study will cost approximately $180,000.00. Staff will
seek a portion of reimbursement for the General Fund Contingency from the developer of the
WhittakerBermite site as part of the reimbursement agreement to be negotiated for the future
development of the subject site.
ATTACHMENTS
Request for Proposal available in the City Clerk's Reading File