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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA014 - Resolution approving Professional Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery, Inc., of West Des Moines, IA, for the 2023/24 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements (Somerset Improvements - Stange Road)ITEM #:17 DATE:09-23-25 DEPT:PW SUBJECT:2023/24 MULTI-MODAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS (SOMERSET IMPROVEMENTS - STANGE ROAD) COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: Multi-modal transportation refers to the variety of modes used by Ames residents to travel the transport system. The modes specifically addressed in the Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements Program include bicycling and automobiles. This program is aimed at improving the roadway to create a safer interaction between these two modes using alternatives such as improved crossing visibility at intersections, bike detection, and on-street facilities (e.g., bike lanes and sharrows). This project will reconfigure Stange Road between Northridge Parkway and Aspen Road to increase the prioritization and safety of bicycles and pedestrians. Engineering s ervices for the project will include a base survey, evaluation of construction techniques, area drainage analysis, and preparation of plans and specifications for a local bid letting of the attached concept drawing. The contract will also include coordination with the Somerset Property Owners Association, adjacent property owners , at least one general public informational meeting, and coordination with right-of-way users that may require relocation. This portion of Stange Road has been the subject of a number of complaints since the area was developed in the late 1990s. Complaints have centered on vehicle speeds and challenges for pedestrians crossing Stange Road at either end of the "crescent." Staff prepared an initial concept to address these complaints and shift modal priorities and presented it to City Council in October 2022 (See Attachment 1). Council directed staff to proceed with the proposed improvements, and staff initiated a public meeting with the Somerset Property Owners Association. Feedback was considerably positive in the meeting, and one consistent message was that there was a need for a separated bicycle facility to reduce bicycle-pedestrian conflicts in front of businesses. Staff modified the conceptual drawing to add a cycle track on the west side of Stange Road and use parallel parking for the southbound lane in lieu of angled parking (Attachment 2). This project was then programmed into the 2023/24 CIP for implementation. At that time, work had commenced on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. Staff felt it was prudent to consider this project with the master planning effort and proceed with implementation following the acceptance of the master plan. Staff distributed the Request for Proposal in June 2025 to solicit engineering services for the modified conceptual drawing. Proposals for this work were received from five engineering firms and were evaluated according to the following criteria: Project Understanding, Design Team, Previous Experience, Ability to Perform Work, and Estimated Contract Cost. Listed below is the ranking information based on this evaluation: 1 Engineering Firm Overall Rank Estimated Design Fee Shive-Hattery, Inc.1 $ 55,000 WHKS & Co. 2 $ 54,300 Bolton & Menk 3 $ 107,792 Nilles 4 $ 72,600 Snyder & Associates 5 $ 35,100 Given the above rankings, staff has negotiated a contract with the highest ranked firm, Shive- Hattery, Inc. of West Des Moines, Iowa. This project was budgeted in FY 2023/24 of the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) with funding in the amount of $450,000 in Road Use Tax. As part of its proposal, Shive-Hattery voluntarily provided an alternative project concept for consideration (See Attachment 3). This alternative concept takes a unique approach to address the goals of the project, and staff believes it could lead to a successful project if the adjacent businesses and the association are in favor of it. Staff plans to conduct a meeting with the businesses and property owners' association for feedback early in the project development. If there is interest from the businesses and association to pursue this alternative, staff will report back to City Council with more information to receive final direction. Both the RFP Concept, and the Shive-Hattery Alternative Concept, include reducing Stange Road to one lane in each direction between Northridge Parkway and Aspen Road. The forecasted volumes through 2050 do not warrant 4 lanes through this segment of Stange Road, and staff believes some traffic will shift to using G.W. Carver between Bloomington and 24th Street. G.W. Carver is better suited to be the through street in this area due to fewer side streets and no direct accesses; whereas Stange Road was intended to be more walkable and prioritize local access. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery, Inc., of West Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2023/24 Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements (Somerset Improvements - Stange Road) in an amount not to exceed $55,000. 2. Direct staff to negotiate an engineering agreement with another consulting firm. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: Based on staff evaluation using the selection criteria listed above, Shive-Hattery, Inc. provides the best value to the City for design services of this project. Shive also prepared an alternative concept that can be considered for implementation pending feedback. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above. ATTACHMENT(S): ATTACHMENT 1 - Initial Concept.pdf ATTACHMENT 2 - Stange - RFP Concept.pdf ATTACHMENT 3 - Shive-Hattery, Inc. Alternative Concept.pdf 2 Northridge Pkwy Aspen Rd Proposed = 26 + 2 ADA Angled Stalls Existing = Approx. 18 Parallel Stalls East Side: Proposed = 23 + 2 ADA Angled Stalls Existing = Approx. 20 Parallel Stalls West Side: BUS BUS 3 Northridge Pkwy Aspen Rd Build ADA Compliant Bus Stop Build ADA Compliant Bus Stop Proposed = 26 + 2 ADA Angled Stalls Existing = Approx. 18 Parallel Stalls East Side: Proposed = 20 Parallel Stalls Existing = Approx. 20 Parallel Stalls West Side: 4 5