SUBJECT: CONSENT
Title
Purchase Contract to Gades Sales Co. Inc. In The Amount of $7,900 and a RRFB Installation Contract to W. L. Contractors In The Amount of $3,000; And and a Contingency amount of $1,540.00 Setting Forth Details in Relation Thereto Setting Forth Details In Relation Thereto
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Russell Pennington, Deputy Director of Public Works
Gary Behlen, Director of Public Works
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: $16,600
Balance Available: $78,200
Budget Line Item Number: 300.70.110.605000.100118
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve Resolutions awarding said contracts, authorizing the appropriate Staff to execute said contracts, authorizing Staff to expend contracted funds and Contingency funds.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER: Over the past few years, Staff has been monitoring the crosswalk located on 119th Avenue, just south of Austin Avenue. In the past year, the cross section of roadway has been widened due to the development on the northeast corner of this intersection. Staff is recommending crosswalk improvements at this location due to the combination of the following:
- The Thomas Reservoir amenity is adjacent to this location
- The crosswalk connects the spine trail network
- The increase width of 119th Avenue
- The increase in vehicular traffic on 119th
Staff is recommending using a new traffic control device in Erie to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross 119th Avenue. This new device is called a Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB). RRFBs are activated by pedestrians and people riding bicycles by manually pushing a button. Once the button is pushed, a highly visible flashing pattern, similar to emergency flashers on police vehicles, alert drivers that a pedestrian wants to cross the street.
The Town of Erie faces many challenges in providing cost-effective services to help pedestrians safely cross streets safely. Some locations do not meet the required traffic and pedestrian volumes for the installation of a standard traffic signal. The RRFB is a lower-cost alternative to traditional traffic signals and has been found to increase the frequency in which drivers yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
Staff has consulted with Fox, Tuttle, Hernandez Transportation Group, the Town’s traffic consultant, on the use of RRFBs at this location and the consultant agrees with Staff that this location would be a ideal location to use RRFBs to bring better attention to the pedestrians within this crosswalk.
Staff requested a quote for the RRFBs from Gades Sales Co, Inc. and a quote for the installation of the RRFBs from W. L. Contractors. These two companies were chosen because Gades is currently the company that the Town purchases safety supplies from and W.L. currently performs all the signal maintenance for the Town. In addition to the RRFBs, Town Staff will install additional pavement markings to assist with the attention to this crosswalk. The quotes and project budget are listed below:
RRFBs 2 Dbl Sided with Push Button $ 7,900.00
RRFB Installation $ 4,160.00
Pavement Marking Materials $ 3,000.00
Contingency (10%) $ 1,540.00
Total $ 16,600.00
Project Schedule
Contracts Executed May 10, 2017
RRFB Installation July 2017
(RRFBs has 4-6 week delivery schedule)
Staff recommends awarding contracts to both Gades Sales Co. Inc and to W. L. Contractors.
ATTACHMENTS:
a. Resolution
b. Vicinity Map