Board of County Commissioners
Agenda Request 9

Statement of Issue:

This item seeks Board authorization to negotiate a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA) for conducting the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, approval of a proposed Resolution (Attachment #1) and Joint Project Agreement between the County and the Florida Department of Transportation (Attachment #2), and approval of Resolution and associated Budget Amendment to realize revenue and authorize spending for the project (Attachment #3).

Background:

In 2002, a biology student from the Florida State University addressed the Board requesting that there be some action taken to preserve wildlife along the North Monroe Street corridor, between Clara Kee Boulevard and Old Bainbridge Road.  The student stated that an increasing number of animal deaths along this corridor are due to years of having historic migratory routes impeded by the physical location of North Monroe Street (US 27).

The issue was brought to the attention of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and they provided $125,000 to fund a Feasibility Study.  Since North Monroe Street is a State of Florida road, the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) staff offered to manage the project for FDOT.

The Feasibility Study was approved by the CRTPA in November 2004, with an alternative selected that will cost approximately $3.5 million to complete.  In January 2005, CRTPA staff met with FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine a course of action to bring this project closer to fruition.  Both FDOT and FHWA recommended that a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study be completed to make the project eligible for Federal funds.  On this recommendation, CRTPA requested and received $60,000 from FDOT to complete the PD&E study.  CRTPA approval of the Scope-of-Services for the PD&E study came in May 2005.

Analysis:

Consultant Selection

There was one firm that responded to the Request for Proposals (RFP), Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA).  The Consultant Selection Committee, consisting of Tom Ballentine (Senior Environmental Engineer), Cherie Bryant (Planning Department), Jack Kostrzewa (CRTPA staff), Chris Meuhlemann (Leon County Public Works), and Colleen Roland (CRPTA staff) reviewed the proposal submitted by KHA to ensure that KHA met the requirements as set forth in the RFP.  The proposal was also reviewed for Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation and by Purchasing for Local Preference.  On October 13, 2005, the selection committee made a recommendation to move forward with KHA as the consulting firm to perform the PD&E Study.

Resolution and Joint Project Agreement

In order to move forward with this project, a Resolution and Joint Project Agreement (JPA) needs to be executed to establish the terms and requirements of the funding from FDOT’s Central Office.  The Lake Jackson Ecopassage PD&E Study will be a reimbursable project with an estimated completion date of January 2007. 

Budget Amendment and Resolution

In addition to negotiating the contract with the consultant, a Resolution and associated Budget Amendment is required to ensure that a project account and code is established to charge against and be reimbursed from by the Florida Department of Transportation. 

Options:

1. Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates to conduct the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Project Development and Environmental Study., consistent with the Purchasing policy on negotiations.
2. Approve the Resolution and associated Joint Project Agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation and Leon County and authorize the Chairman to execute.
3. Approve the Resolution and associated Budget Amendment Request.
4. Board direction

Recommendation:

Options #1, #2, and #3.

Attachments:

1. Resolution for Joint Project Agreement
2. Proposed Joint Project Agreement
3. Resolution and associated Budget Amendment Request