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CC - Item 6B - Professional Services Agreement With Englander, Knabe & Allen, LLC-- Extension of the 710 FreewayROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER DATE. DECEMBER 9, 2014 SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ENGLANDER, KNABE & ALLEN, LLC -- EXTENSION OF THE 710 FREEWAY SUMMARY The City Council will consider an agreement with the firm of Englander, Knabe & Allen, LLC for professional advocacy services relative to extension of the 710 Freeway. Rosemead is a member of the 710 Freeway Coalition, which is a group of local cities in support of this project to reduce traffic congestion in the west San Gabriel Valley. The agreement would authorize the expenditure of $18,750 in Measure R transportation funds towards this effort. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Englander, Knabe & Allen, LLC for professional services related to the 710 Freeway extension in an amount not to exceed $18,750. BACKGROUND The City of Rosemead is a member of the 710 Freeway Coalition in conjunction with the neighboring cities of Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel and San Marino for the purpose of advocating for the extension of the 710 Freeway as a way to reduce traffic congestion in this sub - region. Los Angeles County Metro is in the process of completing the EIR /EIS for five alternatives that is expected to be released in February of 2015. The 710 Coalition has identified the firm of Englander, Knabe & Allen LLC (EKA) to provide government relations, public outreach and advocacy services due to its more than forty years of experience in this field. It is anticipated that funding for this agreement will be derived from Measure R transportation funds currently on deposit with the City. Attachments ITEM NO. 1, 00 FREEWAY TUNNEL ALTERNATIVE FACT SHEET DESCRIPTION In the initial concept calls for two -level twin bored freeway tunnels, with 4 lanes in each direction, to connect the existing southern stub of State Route 710 in Alhambra, north of Interstate 10, to the existing northern stub of Interstate Route 710, south of the Interstate 210 /State Route 134 interchange in Pasadena. A two -level single bore tunnel variation of this alternative, with 2 lanes in each direction, will also be studied. The freeway tunnel alternative is designed to improve mobility, reduce local arterial and regional freeway congestion, and decrease travel time. Local input and coordination with cities, state and local fire representatives, first responders, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, power companies, railroads, the flood control district and other affected agencies, prior to implementation, will be crucial to optimize performance and minimize potential impacts to surrounding communities. DESIGN ELEMENTS & FEATURES Both the double and single bore configurations include short segments of cut - and -cover tunnels at the south and north termini to provide access to the bored tunnels; a portal at the southern terminus located south of Valley Boulevard; a portal at the northern terminus located north of Del Mar Boulevard. Also, no intermediate interchanges or vertical ventilation dispersion systems (shafts) are planned for the tunnels. The freeway tunnel alignment is approximately 6.3 miles long, with a bored tunnel (4.2 miles), cut - and -cover tunnel (0.7 OCTOBER 2013 miles), and at -grade (1.4 miles) segments. The bored tunnel would have an outside diameter of about 59 feet and would have approximately 100 to 150 feet of cover above the tunnels. Vehicles carrying flammable or hazardous materials will be prohibited from using the tunnels. Tunnel fire, life safety components will be coordinated with state and local fire departments, and others, as appropriate and adhere to current codes. Other supporting tunnel systems include: • Cross passages for vehicles (dual bore only) • Air scrubbers, fans and longitudinal ventilation systems • Fire suppression systems (sprinkler system) • Communications and surveillance systems • Lighting • 24 hour monitoring Other variations of the Freeway Tunnel Alternative include operating an express bus service in the tunnels, with supporting bus feeder service; and analyses of tolling and non - tolling operations for the double and single bore tunnel configurations. All of the variations will be evaluated with and without trucks in the tunnel and will include TSM/TDM elements. The Freeway Tunnel Alternative will be further refined to avoid and /or minimize potential impacts. MAJOR TASKS COMPLETED: INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS,/ CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING,/ ALTERNATIVES ANALYSES,/ Glendale Union St Colorado Green St Los Angeles t i Meridian St r Mission 5t o4B/ i � South Pasadena _________ ___ c / Poplar Ave man St i Ir i Fieaway Tunnel Akentative ,, Valley BI P o� Overpass p� �P mge At-grade Section Po I Locatio NONE Bored Tunnel Section -- i NONE Cut& Cover Tunnel Section Existing Freeway Existing Road ` Railroad _ - -- Metro Gold Line /Station :.. City Boundary N i -�I rw 0 0.5 t i 1 t \l r s` AM"& San IMarino �1■ 1 FREEVdAY TUNF. ON In the initial concept calls for two -level twin bored freeway tunnels, with 4 lanes in each direction, to connect the existing southern stub of State Route 710 in Alhambra, north of Interstate 10, to the existing northern stub of Interstate Route 710, south of the Interstate 210 /State Route 134 interchange in Pasadena. A two -level single bore tunnel variation of this alternative, with 2 lanes in each direction., will also be studied. The freeway tunnel alternative is designed to improve mobility, reduce local arterial and regional freeway congestion, and decrease travel time. Local input and coordination with cities, state and local fire representatives, first responders, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, power companies, railroads, the flood control district and other affected agencies, prior to implementation, will be crucial to optimize performance and minimize potential impacts to surrounding communities. DESIGN ELEMENTS & FEATURES Both the double and single bore configurations include short segments of cut - and -cover tunnels at the south and north termini to provide access to the bored tunnels; a portal at the southern terminus located south of Valley Boulevard; a portal at the northern terminus located north of Del Mar Boulevard. Also, no intermediate interchanges or vertical ventilation dispersion systems (shafts) are planned for the tunnels. The freeway tunnel alignment is approximately 6.3 miles long, with a bored tunnel (4.2 miles), cut - and -cover tunnel (0.7 OCTOBER 2013 s _R _ _t T miles), and at -grade (1.4 miles) segments. The bored tunnel would have an outside diameter of about 59 feet and would have approximately 100 to 150 feet of cover above the tunnels. Vehicles carrying flammable or hazardous materials will be prohibited from using the tunnels. Tunnel fire life safety components will be coordinated with state and local fire departments, and others, as appropriate and adhere to current codes. Other supporting tunnel systems include: • Cross passages for vehicles (dual bore only) • Air scrubbers, fans and longitudinal ventilation systems • Fire suppression systems (sprinkler system) • Communications and surveillance systems • Lighting • 24 hour monitoring Other variations of the Freeway Tunnel Alternative include operating an express bus service in the tunnels, with supporting bus feeder service, and analyses of tolling and non - tolling operations for the double and single bore tunnel configurations. All of the variations will be evaluated with and without trucks in the tunnel and will include TSM(TDM elements. The Freeway Tunnel Alternative will be further refined to avoid and /or minimize potential impacts. MAJOR TASKS COMPLETED: INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS✓ CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING✓ ALTERNATIVES ANALYSES✓ _R _ _t T miles), and at -grade (1.4 miles) segments. The bored tunnel would have an outside diameter of about 59 feet and would have approximately 100 to 150 feet of cover above the tunnels. Vehicles carrying flammable or hazardous materials will be prohibited from using the tunnels. Tunnel fire life safety components will be coordinated with state and local fire departments, and others, as appropriate and adhere to current codes. Other supporting tunnel systems include: • Cross passages for vehicles (dual bore only) • Air scrubbers, fans and longitudinal ventilation systems • Fire suppression systems (sprinkler system) • Communications and surveillance systems • Lighting • 24 hour monitoring Other variations of the Freeway Tunnel Alternative include operating an express bus service in the tunnels, with supporting bus feeder service, and analyses of tolling and non - tolling operations for the double and single bore tunnel configurations. All of the variations will be evaluated with and without trucks in the tunnel and will include TSM(TDM elements. The Freeway Tunnel Alternative will be further refined to avoid and /or minimize potential impacts. MAJOR TASKS COMPLETED: INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS✓ CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING✓ ALTERNATIVES ANALYSES✓ State Route 710 North Study As Caltrans and Metro prepare to release the draft environmental document for the 710 North Study in February 2015, the public is encouraged to become engaged and learn the facts for themselves. Below are some key facts to address misconceptions surrounding the Study. Study Process CLAIM: The 710 North Study is skewed to support a freeway tunnel alternative. FACE: Nothing has been decided. By law, Caltrans and Metro are equally evaluating the alternatives being considered in the Study: • Bus Rapid Transit • Freeway Tunnel • Light Rail Transit • No -Build • Transportation System Management /Transportation Demand Management Health Risk Assessment CLAIM: The 710 North Study does not evaluate health risks. FACE: As a part of the 710 North Study, a Health Risk Assessment is being prepared to address the effect of current and future exposures to mobile chemicals, such as gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions, to a broad population, such as a city or community. Cost - Benefit Analysis CLAIM: A cost- benefit analysis for the 710 North Study will not be released. FACT: A cost- benefit analysis will be made available in February 2015 along with the draft environmental document. The cost - benefit analysis is one of many tools used to evaluate alternatives. Increased Truck Traffic CLAIM: The freeway tunnel will invite more trucks to travel through the area for goods transport from the Ports. FACE: The vast majority of the trucks that already travel within the Study area are local trucks that are delivering merchandise to local businesses. Cargo trucks traveling to and from the ports typically begin /end in the area south of State Route 60 or distribution centers in the Inland Empire. The tunnel alternative looks at the variation of allowing or prohibiting truck travel. Nothing has been decided. Freeway Tunnel Safety CLAIM: A freeway tunnel is unsafe. FACT: Safety is the top priority for Caltrans and Metro. The safety elements for the freeway tunnel alternative will comply with applicable regulatory requirements. Some of the design, safety and operational features, include but are not limited to, the following: • Prohibition of vehicles with flammable /hazardous cargo • Fire detection systems • Water suppression system • Protected pedestrian walkways • Air scrubbers at each end of the tunnel (portal) • Operations and Maintenance Building at each portal • 24 -hour surveillance • Variable message signs • Emergency telephones • Co located first responders at Operations and Maintenance Building Hauling of Excavated Material During Freeway Tunnel Construction CLAIM: Trucks will use local streets to haul excavated material from freeway tunnel excavation sites. FACT: Any increased truck activity related to the tunnel constructed will be addressed in the draft environmental document. Based on preliminary evaluation, the material from tunnel excavation will be disposed predominantly using freeways. Rail is also being considered for disposal of material. Freeway Tunnel Tolling Costs CLAIM: The freeway tunnel toll will cost travelers $20 per trip. FACT: A toll option has not been adopted, so it would be premature to determine a toll. No such decisions can be made until after the completion of the final environmental document, a preferred alternative has been identified, and a record of decision has been approved. September 4, 2014 ��� � BANKING AND STATE CAPITOL BANKING AND FINANCE P.D. BOX A 942 HOUSING BEVEL AND COMMUNITY SACRAMENTO. CA 9 @<9.00<p //�t' ��"" C((� DEVELOPMENT 191o131ER 049 1'' µ�TTYYt'YYT (T `t11 »�isla f urr JUDICIARY hA %L9161 j19 -2149 ��.14L�L'' ``ii la L144 n T`"�'4 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT RULES olsr IBT OFFICE Ins CoI Center Erve. Smle 3116 Monterey Park CA 91154 13201 RS4J949 Fax (323) 2Na 4016 EMAII a..aLMNYLIber onaowa :m re.9ov May 13, 2014 1j W� ED CHAD ASSEMBLYMEMBER. FORTY NINTH DISTRICT Honorable Diane DuBois Chair, Board of Directors Attn: Michele Jackson, Board Secretary Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop: 99 -25 -1 Los Angeles, CA 90012 -2951 Dear Chairwoman DuBois: SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIR'. PRIVACY I am writing to express my support for Metro's diligent efforts in preparing a thorough draft 710 -North Extension Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and urge you to expediently grant our mutual constituencies a prompt and timely public comment period. It is time for our region to have a sound alternative to closing the gap to the 710 Freeway without any further delays. Currently, roughly 200.000 vehicles driving daily through the 710 gap have no choice but to use major traffic arteries in place of a completed freeway — along Valley Blvd., Fremont Ave.. Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Pkwy., and Sierra Madre Blvd. For any commuter using the 710 Freeway, the gap already disrupts life in the San Gabriel Valley. Local roads in these neighborhoods already suffer severe damage due to overuse. Most importantly, many of our children attend schools that are located near these roads and arc exposed to health - threatening air pollution when vehicles are left to idle due to the congestion caused by commuters circumventing the 710 gap. I commend the Metro board and its staff for being steadfast, patient, transparent and accessible in conducting hundreds of hours of public comment and utilizing thousands of hours of expertise in order for us to reach this moment where we have before us five alternatives —a Freeway Tunnel, Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail Transit, Transportation System ManagemenUTransportation Demand Management, and a No Build option. Ibis is a significant milestone considering that just a few years ago Metro was considering more than forty options. In broader terms, we are at this pivotal moment in time after a 40 year impasse during which numerous reports and options have been analyzed and prepared. No one can argue that Metro has not been responsive to the public's concerns and comments on this matter. As we finalize this study. it is important for Metro to stay the course and continue to explore all of the final alternatives within the timeline it has established. Any further delays or deviation from fully evaluating all five alternatives would be a disservice to the voters of Los Angeles County who approved Measure R with the expectation there would be a fair process in reaching an amicable resolution to closing the 710 North Gap. On behalf of my constituents in the 49°i Assembly District, I thank you for your time and consideration in reading my correspondence. 1 look forward to working with you in reaching sound transportation solutions for our region. Warm Re yards, ED CHAU Assemblymember, 49" District CC: Metro CEO An Leahy Metro Board of Directors Caltrans District 7 City of Alhambra City of Arcadia City of El Monte City of Montebello City of Monterey Park City of Rosemead City of San Gabriel City of San Marino City of South El Monte City of Temple City ec hi