Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consulting, D.P.C. for an Addendum to the Oak Park Bike Plan in an Amount Not to Exceed $92,800, Authorizing Its Execution, and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Budget Amendment
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Overview
Overview
The Village issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for preparing an update and addendum to the Oak Park Bike Plan. The update will generally identify opportunities for changes to the existing and planned bike networks, look for opportunities for additional enhanced treatments, and explore the feasibility of a bike-sharing system in Oak Park. Two consultants submitted responses to the RFQ and staff recommends entering into an agreement with Sam Schwartz Consulting for this work. The cost for this work is $92,800 which exceeds the budgeted amount. There are savings from deferred projects to cover the additional costs for this work.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
In 2008, the Village adopted the Bike Plan, and in 2015, the Village approved an Addendum to the Bike Plan to focus on the Neighborhood Greenway system and bike sharing. The original bike plan is 16 years old and should be reviewed to keep pace with current industry standards; to look for opportunities for additional on-street bike facilities; to look for opportunities to further enhance existing or planned bike facilities to upgraded bike lanes or protected bike lanes; and to explore what a bike share system may look like in the Village considering changes in bike sharing industry for dockless options, e-bikes, and Cook County initiatives.
The Engineering Division issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for preparing this addendum to the Bike Plan. Two consultants submitted responses and staff interviewed and negotiated a contract with Sam Schwartz for this work. The cost for preparing this addendum is $92,800 which is more than the budgeted amount for the project. The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget only includes $50,000 for this work which is not enough to get the necessary scope of services, including parking utilization surveys and community engagement. There are available funds in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to fund the additional $42,800 needed for this project. These funds are from savings from deferred work related to the “Cap the Ike” study which has not yet started.
The work to prepare the update to the Bike Plan is anticipated to take approximately six months to complete. Public input would be gathered at public meetings, using the Village’s website, and through engagement with stakeholders and focus groups. The Transportation Commission will review the plan, host meetings to get input on the plan, and present a recommended plan to the Village Board for approval. The Transportation Commission will also work with the Plan Commission during this process.
Fiscal Impact
The cost for the project exceeds the originally budgeted amount. The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget includes $50,000 for this project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works-Engineering, Bicycle Plan Improvements account no. 3095.43780.101.570967. There are available funds in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to fund the additional $42,800 needed for this project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works-Engineering, Project Engineering account no. 3095.43780.101.570706 from savings from deferred work related to the “Cap the Ike” study which has not yet started. Staff will submit the necessary second-quarter budget amendment to reallocate the necessary funds from the Cap the Ike Study Account to the Bike Plan Improvements account.
DEI Impact
There will be several opportunities for community engagement as part of this planning effort. Staff will work with Sam Schwartz to develop a community engagement strategy that focuses on getting input from marginalized and minoritized portions of the community and will work closely with Dr. Walker, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, during the process.
Alternatives
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Transportation Commission, in collaboration with the Plan Commission, will host meetings related to this Bike Plan update, provide guidance, review the draft documents, and ultimately make final recommendations to the Village Board for the overall update to the Bike Plan.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Transportation Commission will recommend an Addendum to the Bike Plan which will be presented to the Village Board for approval.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Park District and school districts will be engaged in this process as stakeholders.