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CONTRACT K-1718-63: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS (ONG) FOR THE RELOCATION OF THEIR FACILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE 24TH AVENUE EAST BOND PROJECT.
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BACKGROUND: On August 28, 2012, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of eight transportation/stormwater improvement projects. One of the eight 2012 bond projects is the 24th Avenue East Widening Project (please see the attached location map showing the project boundaries).
On November 22, 2011, the Norman City Council approved Programming Resolution R-1112-62 requesting federal funds for the 24th Avenue East Widening Project. This resolution states the City’s commitment to adhere to the terms and conditions of a federally funded project including engineering design, acquisition of all necessary rights-of-way and relocation of utilities and encroachments at 100% the City’s cost. In return, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), agrees to provide 80% of the construction cost, estimated at $9,221,000, and administration of the construction, with the matching share (20% of construction costs) from the City of Norman.
On February 26, 2013, City Council approved engineering services Contract K-1213-169 with Atkins North America, Inc. for the design of the 24th Avenue East Widening Project between Lindsey Street and Robinson Street (2 miles).
Proposed improvements for the 24th Avenue East Widening Project include:
• Widen two miles of roadway from two lanes to four lanes
• New traffic signal at 24th Avenue East and Meadowood Boulevard
• Intersection improvements at 24th Avenue East/Meadowood Boulevard and 24th Avenue East/ Robinson Street.
• Interconnect traffic signals on 24th Avenue East from Lindsey Street to Robinson Street
• Continuous sidewalks and accessibility
• Stormwater improvements
• On-street bike lanes
DISCUSSION: One of the City’s key obligations of this project is to relocate all existing utilities in the corridor that may be in conflict with the street and stormwater improvements. Public right-of-way is limited along the project. Some new permanent easements are in the process of being purchased to accommodate the proposed road and drainage improvements. ONG is one utility that has facilities within existing right-of-way that need to be relocated where they are in conflict with proposed improvements. These relocations will be done at no cost to the City. On the other hand, ONG also has impacted facilities that are located within their own private easements. These relocations are the financial responsibility of the City. City Staff and Atkins have made design modifications where possible to minimize these City funded relocations.
ONG is requesting the City approve the project agreement for Phase 1 of this project, located between Lindsey Street and Alameda Street. Staff has reviewed and recommends approval of the project agreement and resolution.
In summary, ONG’s responsibilities in this agreement are:
• Perform the necessary relocation of its facilities in substantial accordance with the plans
• Pay for all costs to relocate the utility where utility is located within City right-of-way
• Installed facilities will remain the property of ONG
In summary, City’s responsibilities are:
• Grant ONG permission to use its rights-of-way to install, operate, maintain and remove its gas facilities
• Pay the relocation cost for the ONG facility located within private easements, estimated to be $45,413
Funding for this project is to be allocated from the 24th Avenue East Widening Bond Project, Utility account (050-9552-431.67-01; Project BP0192). If approved, the City is requesting that ONG complete all relocations by March 2018.
Utility relocations and land acquisitions are currently underway on the 24th Avenue East Bond Project. Project Design is 95% complete. Funding has been secured for the project through a federal transportation grant administered by ACOG and ODOT. The ODOT bid opening on Phase 1 of the project (Lindsey to Alameda) is anticipated to be in August 2018 with construction beginning in November 2018. Phase 2 (Alameda to Robinson) is anticipated to have a January 2019 ODOT bid opening with construction beginning in April 2019.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Contract K-1718-63 between the City of Norman and ONG for the relocation of their facilities on the 24th Avenue East Bond Project, for an estimated cost of $45,413.