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CONTRACT NO. K-1213-50: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE NORMAN TAX INCREMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY AND GARVER ENGINEERS, L.L.C., IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,600 TO PROVIDE CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH ROBINSON STREET AND I-35 WEST ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS AND FUNCTIONAL PLAN AND A BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
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BACKGROUND: This Contract takes another step forward toward implementing the Traffic and Roadway improvements envisioned by the adoption of the University North Park Tax Increment Financing District ("UNP TIF"). Robinson Street, immediately west of Interstate 35, has been the subject of much frustration among Norman drivers for more than two decades. With the approval of the UNP TIF Project Plan in 2006 (see Exhibit A for a summary of all traffic and roadway improvements associated with the UNP TIF), the west side of I-35 between Robinson and Tecumseh was included in the UNP TIF area to provide a funding source to improve traffic at this location (see Attachment No. 2). The high traffic volume on this segment of roadway, combined with the two closely spaced signalized intersections at North Interstate Drive and Crossroads Boulevard / Rambling Oaks Drive, and the commercial driveways in close proximity to the signalized intersections, make this area one of the most congested in the City. A map of the interchange area is included (see Attachment No. 1).
DESCRIPTION: The Public Works Department prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit the engineering services necessary to evaluate traffic flow in the area and develop improvement alternatives designed to accommodate the existing and future traffic. Alternatives could include reconfiguration of the on/off ramps, relocation of intersections and elimination of traffic signals. From these alternatives, a preferred option will be identified and presented to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for their approval.
Eight proposals were submitted for consideration. A Selection Committee was formed consisting of Scott Sturtz - City Engineer, Josh Malwick - Capital Projects Engineer, Angelo Lombardo - Transportation Engineer, and two citizens (former Council Member Dan Quinn and Jackie Farley). The proposals were reviewed, and the top three candidates, Garver Engineers LLC, Wilson and Company, and SAIC, interviewed on October 2, 2012. At the end of the process, the committee selected Garver Engineers LLC, a regional company with offices in Norman, as the best-suited firm for the project.
Staff negotiated an $185,600 contract fee with Garver Engineers LLC, to provide the previously mentioned design services, which is included in the attached contract. Under the terms of Development Agreement No. 5, Accumulated TIF Revenues in an amount up to $200,000 are to be released by the Trustee bank upon request for the Robinson Street/West I-35 and Crossroads Boulevard design. The request for release of funds from the Trustee bank is in process. Contract approval will require an appropriation of funds to account No. 057-9510-431.62-01 Robinson West - Crossroads / Project No. UT-0011. The City has sufficient funds in the University North Park Unreserved Fund Balance account (Account No. 057-0000-253.20-00) to cover the contract fee until the funds are released by the Trustee bank. If approved, the design services will be completed by July 31, 2013.
Following completion of the study, selection of the preferred alternative, and preliminary opinion of probable cost, ODOT approval of the preferred alternative and development of a functional plan, staff will begin the process of final design for the project. The functional plan will establish the final layout of the interchange area and will be used as the basis for the development of final plans. It is feasible that construction of the preferred alternative could begin in 2014 or 2015.
RECOMMENDATION NO ONE: Staff recommends approval of Contract No. K-1213-50 with Garver Engineers LLC, in the amount of $185,600, for the consulting engineering services associated with the evaluation of the Robinson Street interchange (west side), development of improvement alternatives, selection of preferred option, development of functional plans for the preferred option and opinion of probable cost.
RECOMMENDATION NO TWO: Staff further recommends that $185,600 be appropriated from UNP Unreserved Fund Balance (057-0000-253.20-00) to Project No. UT-0011, Robinson West/Crossroads, Design (057-9510-431.62-01) to temporarily fund the contract pending release of accumulated TIF Revenues from the Trustee Bank as specified in Development Agreement No. 5.