Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement with Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C. for a Vision Zero Plan in an Amount Not to Exceed $176,620 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
The Engineering Division requested qualifications and ultimately proposals for professional engineering services for creating a Vision Zero plan. The Village received six statements of qualifications and interviewed two firms. Sam Schwartz Engineering was selected as the most qualified firm for this work. Pending approval of this agreement by the State, the Vision Zero plan will include robust community engagement and will be reviewed by the Transportation Commission. It is estimated to take approximately one year to create the Vision Zero plan. The Village has $150,000 budgeted for the work to create a Vision Zero plan and received a State grant which will reimburse up to $120,000 of these costs. The costs for creating a Vision Zero plan exceed the FY23 Budgeted amount by $26,620. The proposed FY24 Budget will include the additional $26,620 needed for this work.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The Engineering Division requested qualifications from consultants for creating a Vision Zero plan (VZ) for Oak Park. A Vision Zero plan hopes to reduce severe and fatal accidents and improve safety for all users of the roadways. The Engineering Division received six statements of qualifications and interviewed two firms for this work. Sam Schwartz was selected as the most qualified firm. Sam Schwartz has previously completed Vision Zero plans for other communities including for the City of Chicago and Ann Arbor Michigan and is partnering with MUSE Community + Design for this project to ensure there is comprehensive community engagement.
The scope of work to create a VZ plan is described in Sam Schwartz’s Statement of Qualifications and includes stakeholder and community engagement; data collection and analysis; reviewing existing policies and procedures; providing recommendations for infrastructure improvements and policy recommendations; and drafting the final plan for adoption. Throughout each step in the process, diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations are taken into account.
The Transportation Commission will be the body that reviews and provides a final recommended draft Vision Zero plan for the Village Board to consider for approval although there will be involvement from many other commissions during the process either through joint commission meetings, having commission representatives as members in the steering committee, or dedicated commission meetings for an individual commission.
The Village received a State Planning and Research (SPR) grant to fund 80% of the costs of up to $120,000 to create the Vision Zero plan. Pending Village Board approval of this agreement with Sam Schwartz, the State will need to review and approve the agreement prior to authorizing the Village to start work. Once authorized to start by the State, it will take approximately one year to complete the Vision Zero plan due to the public involvement.
Fiscal Impact
The FY23 Budget includes $150,000 for creating a Vision Zero Plan in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works - Engineering, External Support account no. 3095.43780.101.530667. The project is $26,620 over the budgeted amount. Work on this grant will extend into 2024. The proposed FY24 Budget will include the additional $26,620 needed for this project. The State Planning and Research grant will fund 80% of the costs up to $120,000. The Village will pay for costs upfront and be reimbursed by the State.
DEI Impact
There will be robust community engagement as part of the process to create a Vision Zero plan. Sam Schwartz is partnering with MUSE Community + Design in order to develop a community engagement strategy that focuses on getting input from marginalized and minoritized portions of the community. The consultants will be working closely with Dr. Walker, the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, during the creation of the Vision Zero plan including the community engagement process and the review of traffic enforcement’s role to ensure DEI impacts are always being considered.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
At the March 21, 2022, Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved the submission of a Statewide Planning and Research Program (SPR) Grant Application with the Illinois Department of Transportation for a Vision Zero Plan.
At the February 21, 2023, Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved an Agreement between the State of Illinois, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Village of Oak Park for a Vision Zero Plan in an amount not to Exceed $120,000.
At the March 20, 2023, Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved staff’s modifications to the Transportation Commission’s recommended processes and elements to be included in a Vision Zero plan.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Transportation Commission will work with the consultant on creating a Vision Zero Plan and present their recommended Vision Zero Plan to the Village Board for approval. Other Commissions will also be engaged in the process of developing the Vision Zero Plan including the Aging in Place, Board of Health, Community Relations, Disability Access, and Environment & Energy either through joint meetings and/or through representatives on a steering committee.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
A recommended Vision Zero Plan will be presented to the Village Board for approval in 2024.
The proposed FY24 Budget will include the additional $26,620 needed to fund this work.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The agreement involves the State working with the Village to improve safety.