In a report to Committee, Deputy General Manager/Ferry Division James P. Swindler and General Manager Celia Kupersmith provided staff’s recommendation to approve actions relative to Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2007-FT-8, Consultant to Provide Project Management and Construction Oversight for New High-Speed Passenger Ferry.

The report stated that the District has two high-speed passenger ferries, the 390-passenger M.V. Del Norte and the 450-passenger M.V. Mendocino, which provide high-speed service to passengers during peak periods, including three scheduled morning commute trips that sail at full capacity on a regular basis. The report also stated that a back-up high-speed passenger ferry is needed to place into revenue service during the performance of routine dry-docking or other maintenance activities on the M.V. Del Norte and the M.V. Mendocino, in order to maintain a continuous high-level of service during peak periods and to decrease the risk of unexpected service delays and disruptions. A new high-speed ferry, with an approximate passenger capacity of 499, would allow the District to add additional capacity to the existing ferry service during peak hours, and also would allow the District to rotate the lower-capacity M.V. Del Norte into backup status to reduce wear and tear on the District’s oldest high-speed ferry, which ferry was placed into service in 1998.

The report further stated that the Board of Directors, by Resolution No. 2006-052 at its meeting of June 23, 2006, authorized the purchase of a high-speed ferry, with an approximate passenger capacity of 499, as a replacement for one of the existing Spaulding vessels. The District issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2007-FT-8, Consultant to Provide Project Management and Construction Oversight for New High-Speed Passenger Ferry, and on February 9, 2007, the District received three proposals. The consultant services in this RFP include the development of detailed specifications and specific performance requirements, as well as providing contract administration, construction oversight, quality control and general project management.

The report further stated that the Evaluation Committee (Committee), comprised of District staff, evaluated and ranked the consulting firms based on the criteria set forth in the RFP, including: 1) qualifications and experience of the project team; 2) project understanding and approach; and, 3) cost proposal. The Committee ranked Fast Ferry Management, Inc. (Fast Ferry), Silverdale, WA, as the top proposer, stating that the proposal meets all solicitation requirements, and that the proposal happens to include the lowest proposal price. The proposal stated that Fast Ferry has fifteen years experience in this field and it has successfully developed and managed similar projects for the delivery of high-speed passenger ferries for the cities of Vallejo and Long Beach, CA.

Also, the report stated that the project to purchase a third high-speed passenger ferry is included in the District’s Capital Plan for a total budgeted amount of $12 million (80% Federal/20% District funds). Requisite funds for this project are included in the FY 06/07 Ferry Transit Division Capital Budget, and will be included in the FY 07/08 Ferry Transit Division Capital Budget. A copy of the report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Mr. Swindler summarized the staff report, stating that the scope of services includes: 1) the evaluation of both the positive and negative aspects of the M.V. Del Norte and the M.V. Mendocino as relates to design criteria for the ferry arrangement; and, 2) an analysis of the propulsion emission standards for the design of the engine. He described the past practice to procure a ferry. Mr. Swindler stated that, although these ferries met the specifications at the time of construction, the design of these two high-speed ferries is noticeably different. He further stated that it is the District’s intent to procure a ferry with machinery that is identical to that of an existing ferry in the fleet for procurement of equipment and operational issues, as well as procure a ferry with a similar design for passenger comfortability. Mr. Swindler noted that Fast Ferry’s experience includes the development of a high-speed ferry for the City of Vallejo, and it has been reported that this ferry is touted to be the cleanest vessel operating in the Bay Area.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Reilly inquired as to the life expectancy of a ferry. In response, Mr. Swindler stated that ferries can have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.

• Director Boro inquired as to the possibility of obtaining a ferry with a larger passenger capacity, such as the Spaulding-class ferries, which have an approximate capacity of 750. In response, Mr. Swindler stated that the purchase of such a ferry would be more expensive, due to the regulatory requirements for ferries with a passenger capacity over 500, requiring additional personnel and equipment.

• Director Grosboll made the following comments and inquiries:

  • He inquired as to the number of persons employed by the recommended firm. In response, Mr. Swindler stated that the company consists of one person, Martin Robbins, who has been working in this field for several years, including working for the City of Vallejo.
  • He inquired as to the timeline for completion of this project. In response, Mr. Swindler stated that the District expects delivery of the ferry in January 2009.
  • He inquired as to why the District would not obtain a larger-capacity ferry, in light of the District’s experience in increased ferry ridership. In response, Mr. Swindler stated that it would not be difficult to obtain a larger-capacity ferry, but staff has determined that a ferry, with a passenger capacity of 499, meets the District’s needs for both current and future passenger demand.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors STROEH/BORO 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 Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2007-FT-8, Consultant to Provide Project Management and Construction Oversight for New High-Speed Passenger Ferry:

with the understanding that requisite funds (80% Federal/20% District) are available in the FY 06/07 Ferry Transit Division Capital Budget and that requisite funds will be included in the 07/08 Ferry Transit Division Capital Budget.

Action by the Board – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

The report also stated that the existing access easements will be extinguished by a Quitclaim Deed, concurrent with recording the new easements, legal descriptions and plats, and will be timed to coordinate with the construction of the path to ensure that legal access to District property is uninterrupted. The relocation of the easements, including extinguishing the old and recording the new easements, and the purchase of title insurance, will be at no cost to the District. A copy of the report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Ms. Jellison summarized the staff report and stated that the relocation of the easements will allow for continued access to the District’s parcels, which are located near the SMART right-of-way. She stated that the relocation and realignment of the easements will accommodate the pedestrian/bike path, while providing access to District-owned property. Ms. Kupersmith stated that the property is leased to the Marin Sanitary Service/Recycling Center on Andersen Drive in San Rafael.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors STROEH/REILLY 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 relocation of two access easements across the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District’s right-of-way north of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel; and, authorize the General Manager to execute a Quitclaim Deed to extinguish existing easements, to accept new replacement easements and to execute all necessary documents as approved by the Attorney for the District.

Action by the Board – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

The Committee was provided with a copy of the agenda for the February 21, 2007 meeting, and the minutes for the January 17, 2007 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.

At the meeting, Chair Eddie, one of the District’s representatives on the SMART Board of Directors (SMART Board), provided updates on the following topics:

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Boro, President of the SMART Board, made the following comments:

  • He stated that, in addition to the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, the bicycle-pedestrian pathway will continue along the SMART right-of-way on the west side of U.S. Highway 101 from Larkspur to north San Rafael. He noted that the cost estimate for the pathway through the Cal Park Hill Tunnel has escalated to $24 million to accommodate both the railroad and the bike path, which costs will be shared between SMART and the County of Marin.
  • He stated that the Ad Hoc Committee has met with different interest groups that have either expressed opposition or support for the SMART commuter rail ballot measure that failed on the November 2006 ballot, to find a better approach to gain support for a future proposal, evaluate the possibility of placing the measure on the ballot in November 2008 and present a recommendation to the SMART Board for approval.

• Director Middlebrook commented that certain cities in Sonoma County are proposing a plan for the installation of a bicycle/pedestrian path and inquired as to SMART’s involvement in the design criteria. In response, Director Boro stated that the proposed bicycle-pedestrian pathways in Sonoma and Marin County are being designed by a coordinated effort of the Marin and Sonoma County Bicycle Coalitions. He noted that the initial plan does not include funding for a continuous bike path along the entire railroad right-of-way from Larkspur to Cloverdale and that the SMART Board is discussing whether or not to add the additional sections to the project.

• Director Martini commented that an original SMART Board policy was to not sell a fee interest in the property; however, the Real Estate Sub-Committee has met to consider an alteration to that policy. In response, Director Boro stated that the SMART Board is still studying the matter. He noted that the key issue for the SMART Board is ensuring that the property they own will generate enough revenue to help support future railroad service.
  

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. A copy of the report is available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Hernández made the following comments and inquiries:

  • She inquired as to whether the Engineering Department anticipated finding any areas of concern when the inspection of the Suspension Bridge is undertaken in March 2007. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the inspection started on March 19, 2007, and that the Engineering staff does not anticipate discovering any unexpected problems during the inspection. He noted that the Biennial Bridge Inspection Program is one of the most important tasks at the District, as it generates a “report card” regarding the condition of the Golden Gate Bridge. Mr. Mulligan also noted that the Engineering Department will provide the results from the inspection to the U.S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, in accordance with federal regulations, and the District will use this report to prioritize maintenance activities on the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as to assist in updating the District’s Ten-Year Capital Plan.
  • She inquired as to the timeline for the Corte Madera Ecological Reserve (CMER) Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that a jurisdictional determination for the wetlands has been completed, which defines the area and the types of wetlands, and that the District will be meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the jurisdictional determination at a later date.
    

Action by the Board – None Required

All business having been concluded, the meeting was declared adjourned at 10:30 a.m.