Subject: MERIDIAN AVENUE SOUNDWALL PROJECT
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9
Report on bids and award of contract for the Meridian Avenue Soundwall Project, a sound barrier from Portobello Drive to Route 85, to the low bidder, and approval of a ten percent contingency. CEQA: Exempt.
The City’s General Plan Noise Policy sets the basic criteria for the installation of sound barriers. To conform to the criteria set forth in the policy, the City hired an acoustical consultant to conduct a noise impact and mitigation study in the subject neighborhood. This study determined that the current backyard noise level exceeds the City's planning standards and that the existing wood fence should be replaced with an eight-foot high precast concrete soundwall that will provide the required noise attenuation. Also, the Council Policy for the installation of sound barriers requires the soundwall to be constructed on private property and be maintained by the property owner after construction.
This project will construct approximately 1,080 linear feet of eight-foot high, four-inch thick reinforced concrete wall. It will consist of prefabricated concrete columns and panels, which will be designed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with current industry standards. The soundwall surface feature will be lap board design with wood grain texture. This surface feature was recommended by the property owners and approved by the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement.
The existing trees in conflict with the soundwall installation in the City right-of-way will be removed, and new trees and an irrigation system will be installed by the City’s Department of Transportation upon completion of the project.
This project was originally bid on March 29, 2001. The City Council rejected all bids and authorized re-advertisement of the project at its Council meeting on May 1, 2001. The sole bid was rejected because it was 58 percent above the Engineer’s Estimate and could not be substantiated as a competitive bid. The project specifications have been modified to encourage competition by enabling a wider range of contractors to submit bids.
A supplemental memorandum will be forthcoming after bid opening on May 31, 2001.
Council approval is requested for a ten percent contingency to address unforeseen conditions that may arise during construction.
During the project design development and the right-of-entry certificates acquisition, staff has informed all the effected property owners the scope of work and project schedule.
This project was listed on the City’s Internet Bid Line and advertised in the San José Mercury News and San José Post Record. Bid packages for all public works construction projects are routinely provided to a standard list of various contractor organizations, builder’s exchanges and disadvantaged business organizations, including United Minority Business Enterprises and the San José Minority Business Development Center.
This project has been coordinated with the Offices of the City Attorney, Risk Manager and Equality Assurance, and the Departments of Transportation and Planning, Building and Code Enforcement.
1. COST OF RECOMMENDATION: Engineer’s Estimate: $170,000
2. COST OF PROJECT:
Construction $170,000
Design & Construction Management 45,000*
Contingency 17,000
TOTAL $232,000**
* The Design & Construction Management cost includes the cost to design and coordinate landscape work that will be installed by the Department of Transportation after the soundwall has been constructed.
3. SOURCE OF FUNDING: 001 – General Fund
465 – Construction Excise Tax Fund
4. ESTIMATED START DATE OF CONSTRUCTION: September, 2001
5. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF CONSTRUCTION: December, 2001
Fund: 001
APPN: 4478
R.C.: 106783
Amount: $193,000
Budget Document: 2000-2001 Appropriation Ordinance 26141, Section 2.26, Item z17.7
Fund: 465
APPN: 4307
R.C.: TBD
Amount: $375,000
Budget Document: Adopted
2000-01 CIP, Page 724, Item 62
NONDISCRIMINATION
The City of San José Nondiscrimination Requirements are included in this project as required by Chapter 4.08 of the San José Municipal Code.
CEQA
Exempt.
RAJEEV BATRA
Acting Director, Public Works Department