Authorize Execution of an On-Call Agreement with the California Highway Patrol to Provide Enforcement Services during Construction for the Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Phase IIIA, North Anchorage Housing/North Pylon Project

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 authorize execution of an On-Call Agreement with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to provide enforcement services during construction for the Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Phase IIIA, North Anchorage Housing/North Pylon project. The CHP has successfully provided enforcement services during Phases I and II of the Seismic Retrofit Project. The report noted that the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Administration both recommend utilizing CHP services for operations that impact traffic.

The report stated that the CHP services will include patrol officers and vehicles present at the site during the work operations to: 1) provide enforcement of reduced speed limits during installation and removal of lane closures and during the work shift conducted under lane closures; and, 2) provide traffic breaks to facilitate moving equipment and materials to the work areas.

Requisite funds are available in the construction budget for retaining the CHP services in the amount of $2,247,850.00. A copy of the staff report is available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Mr. Mulligan summarized the staff report and he further stated that studies have shown that the accident rate is reduced when the CHP is present. In conclusion, Mr. Mulligan further stated that staff negotiated a price per night based on the actual cost for CHP and patrol cars to be present, and that the CHP will only paid for the nights that they actually work.

Discussion ensued, including the following comments and inquiries:

• Director Reilly made the following comments and inquiries:
  • She requested clarification regarding the estimated 610 night shifts that will require traffic lane closures. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that, based on the Contractor’s workplan, the number of night shifts are estimated to be 610, although traffic lane closures are very expensive and it is in the Contractor’s best interest to use less.
  • She inquired as to whether the work includes replacement of the roadway and the sidewalk. In response, Mr. Mulligan outlined the details of the replacement of the roadway and sidewalk sections in the North Anchorage House. Mr. Mulligan noted that the work will make the structure water-tight and protect it from man-made threats and natural disasters.

• Director Cochran requested clarification regarding the installation and removal of the K-rail. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that K-rail is installed for the protection of the workers. Mr. Mulligan also stated that the contract specifications require that the contractor places K-rail each night and also remove the K-rail at the end of the work shift. Mr. Mulligan noted that crash attenuators are installed at the end of the K-rail to absorb an impact from motor vehicle collision for the protection of the motorist and the workers.

• Director Grosboll made the following comments and inquiries:
  • He inquired as to the timeline for when the night work would begin and end. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the contractor will begin work at around 9:00 p.m., and end at 5:00 a.m. Mr. Mulligan noted that the contractor is contractually obliged to have lanes opened by 5:00 a.m. or incur a fine for each 10 minutes interval they are late.
  • He inquired as to whether the CHP is scheduled to work on their regular schedule or on an overtime basis. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the officers will perform this work on an overtime basis.

• Director Newhouse Segal made the following comments and inquiries:

  • She inquired as to when nighttime work for this project will begin. Mr. Mulligan stated that the lane closures will begin sometime after the first of the year, 2010.
  • She inquired as to whether or not the work will be done in inclement weather. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that since visibility is impaired during rain or dense fog, there will be no lane closures during those times and the District will notify the CHP that their services are not needed.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors MOYLAN/COCHRAN 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 authorize execution of an On-Call Services Agreement with the California Highway Patrol in an amount not to exceed $2,247,850.00, for enforcement of the construction zone speed limit and assistance with traffic diversions for night-time lane closures during construction of the Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Phase IIIA, North Anchorage Housing/North Pylon Project, with the understanding that funds for these services are included in the Seismic Retrofit Project budget.

Action by the Board at its meeting of October 23, 2009 – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

AYES (5): Chair Eddie; Vice Chair Moylan; Directors Cochran, Newhouse Segal and Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (3): Directors McGlashan and Stroeh; President Boro (Ex Officio)

Approve Actions Relative to the National Science Foundation Grant Award No. DRL-0840185, the Golden Gate Bridge as an Informal Science Education Resource

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 authorize acceptance of National Science Foundation (NSF Project) Grant Award No. DRL-0840185; and, approve all related actions.

The report stated that the NSF Project will fund improvements to the visitor experience at the Golden Gate Bridge. The report outlines the principal work, including the development of a master plan to ensure that the placement of the exhibits is professionally guided, and to ensure that this phase follows logical steps that could later lead to the realization of a visitor center. The report also stated that the NSF Project will enhance the District’s website to both complement the outdoor exhibits and to provide science, mathematics, and engineering learning opportunities using the Bridge as the focal point.

The report described, in detail, the application process, in collaboration with the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering and in partnership with other various agencies.

Staff recommends that the NSF Project be included in the FY 09/10 Bridge Division Capital Budget in the amount of $3,499,777.00, to be funded with NSF grant funds ($2,999,777.00) and District reserves ($500,000.00). 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. Mulligan summarized the staff report, and further stated that the NSF Project grant funds, in the approximate amount of $3 million, would cover the costs associated with producing the outdoor interpretive exhibits. Mr. Mulligan noted that presently, the visitor experience at the Golden Gate Bridge includes a statue of Chief Engineer Joseph Straus and a cross-section of the Bridge cable, stating that the NSF Project would enhance this experience. Finally, Mr. Mulligan noted that the NSF Project includes collaboration with local partners, such as the Exploratorium, as well as various universities.

Discussion ensued, including the following comments and inquiries:

• Director Grosboll made the following comments and inquiries:

  • He inquired as to whether the interpretive exhibits would be permanent. In response, Mr. Mulligan answered in the affirmative.
  • He requested clarification regarding additional costs to the District for the NSF Project. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the District’s cost would include site improvements which would be designed to accommodate the proposed Visitor’s Center.
  • He inquired regarding the specifics of the apportionment in respect of the approximate $3 million in grant funds. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that funds are being paid to organizations and firms to develop and build the exhibits, as detailed in the grant application. Mr. Mulligan noted that an experienced team has been assembled that will bring interpretive experience to Bridge staff.
  • He inquired as to the targeted completion date. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the project completion date is timed with the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, and should be completed some time before May 2012.

• Directors Reilly, Newhouse Segal and Sobel commended staff for all their efforts in obtaining the NSF Project grant funds.

• Director Reilly made the following comments and inquiries:
  • She expressed her pleasure that the proposed outdoor exhibits will enhance the visitor experience with education about the Golden Gate Bridge and her hope that the creation of a Visitor Center will soon be realized.
  • She inquired as to the details of the 92-foot scale model of the Golden Gate Bridge that will be manufactured for the NSF Project. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the scale model will be built by Engineers at Princeton University, whose talents include building museum-quality exhibits that are taken on museum tours. He noted that the new 92-foot scale model will serve as a “Table of Contents” for the proposed outdoor exhibits.

• Director Newhouse Segal made the following comments and inquiries:
  • She requested clarification regarding the proposed location for the 92-foot scale model. In response, Mr. Mulligan described two locations, and that the proposed locations will be explored in the Master Plan and will be presented to the 75th Anniversary Planning Advisory Committee.
  • She requested clarification regarding the environmental process for the NSF Project. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the District will be required to comply with all state and federal environmental processes.

• Director Sobel made the following comments and inquiries:
  • He commented that the master planning process is the intriguing piece of the NSF Project because it begins setting up where outdoor exhibits will be placed and ensures that this phase follows logical steps that can later lead to the realization of a Visitor’s Center at the site.
  • He inquired as to whether the exhibits are anticipated to be relocated. In response, Mr. Mulligan stated that the exhibits will be set in a fixed location that would complement the Visitor’s Center structure.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors COCHRAN/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 actions relative to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant Award No. DRL-0840185, The Golden Gate Bridge as an Informal Science Education Resource, as follows:

Authorize the addition of a new project, Golden Gate Bridge Informal Science Education Project, to the FY 09/10 Bridge Division Capital Budget in the amount of $3,499,777.00, to be funded with NSF grant funds ($2,999,777.00) and with District reserves ($500,000.00), subject to the concurrence by the Finance-Auditing Committee at its meeting of October 22, 2009.

Action by the Board at its meeting of October 23, 2009 – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

AYES (5): Chair Eddie; Vice Chair Moylan; Directors Cochran, Newhouse Segal and Reilly
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (3): Directors McGlashan and Stroeh; President Boro (Ex Officio)

[President Boro arrived at the meeting.]

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

The Committee was provided with copies of the Agenda for the September 16, 2009, SMART District Board meeting of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART). A copy of this item is 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 members of the SMART Board of Directors (SMART Board), reported on the following:

Discussion ensued, including the following comments and inquiries:

• Director Sobel inquired as to whether the SMART Board is targeting 2014 as the start-up time for this new rail service. In response, President Boro, one of the members of the SMART Board, stated that 2014 is still the target date. In response, President Boro noted that the SMART Board signed $9 million in contracts, and that the project is well underway. Chair Eddie added that progress on the rail line is far less tangible, as with contracting the services of Consultants and Engineers.

• Director Moylan made the following comments and inquiries:
  • He inquired as to whether the rail line will extend to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal (LFT). In response, Chair Eddie stated that the rail will end just before the CalPark tunnel, next to the Marin Airporter, and that commuters will have to cross the street to board a ferry.
  • He inquired as to whether future plans can be made to extend the rail directly to the LFT. In response, President Boro stated that such an action would require additional environmental impact work, and would include working with the City of Larkspur. President Boro noted that he was not aware of any such movement towards extending the rail directly to the LFT.

Action by the Board – None Required

Status Report on Engineering Projects

In a memorandum to Committee, Deputy District Engineer Ewa 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.

At the meeting, Mr. Mulligan described the upcoming road closures to facilitate roadway work in the East Parking Lot. Mr. Mulligan stated that the work will start at approximately 6:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 24, 2009, and end at approximately midday on Monday, October 26, 2009.

Action by the Board – None Required

Comment by District Board Member

President Boro commented that the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) had a ground-breaking ceremony in South San Francisco to begin building a terminal for the proposed ferry service to Oakland. President Boro also stated that the WETA is close to final approval for the ferry service from Berkeley to San Francisco.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Adjournment

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