In a memorandum to Committee, Deputy District Engineer Ewa Bauer; District Engineer Denis Mulligan and General Manager Celia Kupersmith reported on staff’s recommendation to award Contract No. 2006-B-6, Toll Plaza Transfer Point Improvements, to Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc. 

The report stated that District staff has evaluated, with respect to public safety, public convenience, accessibility and aesthetics of the toll plaza area, the design and location of the bus stops and pedestrian crosswalks within the District’s right-of-way near the toll plaza.  As a result of this evaluation, staff recommended that the following improvements be undertaken:  one Golden Gate Transit (GGT) bus stop be relocated with the associated deletion of two pedestrian crosswalks; two MUNI bus stops be relocated; two pedestrian crosswalks be relocated; and, one GGT bus stop and one MUNI bus stop be improved at their current locations. The Board of Directors, by Resolution No. 2005-058 at its meeting of June 24, 2005, approved the design and location of these improvements.  Staff then prepared plans and specifications for Contract No. 2006-B-6, Toll Plaza Transfer Point Improvements, and advertised for bids on June 7, 2005.

The report also stated that on July 7, 2005, three bids were received and publicly read for Contract No. 2006-B-6.  The apparent low bidder is Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., of San Rafael, CA, with a bid price of $942,750.  The Engineer’s estimate for this project is $750,000.  While the bid submitted by Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., contained three minor irregularities, each of these can be waived as a minor irregularity, according to the Attorney for the District.  The report further stated that engineering staff, the DBE Program Administrator and the Attorney have evaluated the bids and have determined that Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., is the lowest responsive bidder, and recommend award of Contract No. 2006-B-6 to Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc.  The report further stated that since all bids received exceeded the engineer’s estimate, and since it is critical that this project proceed as originally designed, staff also recommends approval of a project budget increase in the FY 05/06 Bridge Division Capital Budget in the amount of $372,000, to be funded with Federal Transit Administration grant funds, as well as District matching funds that are included in the FY 05/06 Budget.  The DBE Administrator has determined that a 6.3% DBE participation is anticipated to be attained by Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., during the performance of this project.  A copy of the report is available in the Office of the District Secretary, as well as on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Denis Mulligan briefly summarized the staff report.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors STROEH/MOYLAN to forward the following recommendation to the Board of Directors for its consideration:

RECOMMENDATION

The Building and Operating Committee recommends that the Board of Directors approve the following actions relative to Contract No. 2006-B-6, Toll Plaza Transfer Point Improvements:

a.           Waive minor irregularities in the bid submitted by Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., for Contract No. 2006-B-6;

b.           Award Contract No. 2006-B-6, to Maggiora & Ghilotti, Inc., San Rafael, CA, in the amount of $942,750;

c.           Authorize a contingency fund in the amount of $94,275, equal to 10% of the contract award; and,

d.           Authorize an increase in the FY 05/06 Bridge Division Capital Budget, in the amount of $372,000, to be funded with Federal Transit Administration grant funds, as well as District matching funds that are available in the FY 05/06 Budget; subject to the concurrence of the Finance-Auditing Committee at its meeting of July 21, 2005, and with the understanding that the total project budget will increase to $1,202,000.

Action by the Board – Resolution

NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

AYES (5):        Vice Chair Reilly; Directors Hernández, Moylan and Stroeh; President Middlebrook (Ex Officio)

NOES (0):        None

ABSENT (4):               Chair Eddie; Directors Ammiano, Boro and Martini

[Note:  The above recommendation was forwarded to the Board of Directors meeting of July 22, 2005, for action.]

Status Report from District Appointees on Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Board

The Committee was provided with copies of the Agenda for the July 20, 2005, meeting and the Minutes of the June 15, 2005, meeting of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART).   Copies of these items are available in the Office of the District Secretary, as well as on the District’s web site.

Director Pahre, one of the District’s appointees to SMART, provided a brief summary of actions taken by the SMART Board of Directors at its July 20, 2005 meeting, as follows:

• SMART adopted a formal resolution approving the transfer of the portion of the District-owned Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way property from Novato Creek South to Corte Madera between the District and SMART;
• SMART approved the issuing of a Request for Qualifications for the Santa Rosa Railroad Square project, with groundbreaking on the project anticipated in 2006;
• SMART adopted the timeline for SMART’s Draft Environmental Impact Report for commuter rail service.
• SMART discussed the timeline for the campaign for passage of the 2006 quarter-cent sales tax measure to be placed on the ballot in Marin and Sonoma counties.

Celia Kupersmith provided additional information regarding the transfer of District-owned railroad right-of-way, noting that it is anticipated that the real estate transfer closing process will take up to three months.  She further noted that this transfer of the railroad right-of-way represents a significant step for the District.

Action by the Board – None Required

In a memorandum to Committee, Deputy District Engineer Ewa Z. Bauer, District Engineer Denis Mulligan and General Manager Celia Kupersmith reported on current engineering projects. This report will be presented to the Board of Directors at its meeting of July 22, 2005.  A copy of the report is available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Action by the Board – None Required