PURPOSE:

Staff is requesting Council approval to enter into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA), with California Environmental (CE) for a subsurface environmental evaluation to proceed with the Empire Interchange improvement project. 

BACKGROUND

The Empire Interchange Improvement project is a series of enhancements focused on improving the level of service within the Empire Avenue, San Fernando Boulevard, Victory Place and the Interstate 5 freeway vicinity.  In conjunction with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the project will include the following improvements:

• Construction of the Empire Avenue Interchange which will improve traffic access to the I-5 freeway and relieve traffic congestion at the Burbank Boulevard-Victory Boulevard Intersections (Formerly �Five Points�) 

• The railway paralleling the 5 freeway will be grade separated at both Buena Vista Street and the newly constructed Empire Avenue, improving traffic flow and safety 

The project is currently in the design phase, with design completion expected by late 2006. Because of state fiscal problems, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) had been projecting the project construction would not commence prior to 2010.  However, MTA recently provided the necessary funding to permit construction to begin as soon as 2008.

Proposed Professional Services Agreement

In order for the Empire Interchange project to proceed, six parcels of property along Victory Place adjacent to the Empire Center will be exchanged between the City, Caltrans and the MTA.  Before the six property transfers can be made, an environmental evaluation of the soil conditions must be completed. This proposed contract will complete the task.  The environmental evaluation consists of soil samplings obtained for analysis of various earth and vapor contaminants. 

ANALYSIS

Staff received three bids from Leghton Consulting Inc., Petra Environmental Division and California Environmental for the environmental work.  Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to California Environmental (CE) based on the combination of competitive fees, past work experience, and knowledge of the surrounding area.  CE has experience with the City in preparing soil reports for the State Route 134 Westbound Ramp Project in September 2003.

FISCAL IMPACT

The estimated cost for the services listed on the attached Professional Services Agreement is $88,409.00. The funding would be allocated from the Development Impact Fee account (Account 127), as this project is specifically identified in the Infrastructure Blueprint.  The project account (127.CD33A.70002.0000.13608) has sufficient funds to cover the amount of the proposed Professional Services Agreement; a budget transfer would not be necessary. 

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the Council adopt the proposed resolution approving an agreement between California Environmental and the City of Burbank, so that the necessary environmental evaluation can be completed in order to proceed with the Empire Interchange project. 

Attachment � California Environmental PSA

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