To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Transportation and Public Works
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Authorization to Utilize Road Commissioner Contracting Authority for Roads Projects During Fiscal Year 2022-2023
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) to utilize Road Commissioner contracting authority for the construction, maintenance, and repair of county highways during Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
end
Executive Summary:
Under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, awarding construction contracts above specified dollar thresholds is a function of the Board of Supervisors. However, for the construction, repair, or maintenance of county highways, the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act allows the Board to authorize the Director of Transportation and Public Works (TPW), as the County Road Commissioner, to utilize alternative contracting procedures for such work. TPW requests authorization to utilize this authority for unspecified roads projects undertaken by TPW during Fiscal Year 22-23 to streamline project delivery and ensure projects are completed on schedule. If adopted, the Resolution would enable the Director of TPW to approve project plans and specifications, award and execute construction contracts with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and take other actions to administer the construction contracts in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 22031 and 20390 et seq. of the Public Contract Code.
Discussion:
Public Contract Code Section 22031(b)(1) and Sonoma County Code Section 2-357 allow the Director of TPW to utilize the Road Commissioner contracting procedures set forth in 20390 et seq. of the Public Contract Code, as an alternative to the procedures set forth in the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, for the construction, repair, or maintenance of county highways.
TPW is requesting that the Board authorize the Director of TPW to utilize these alternative procedures for unspecified roads projects undertaken by TPW during Fiscal Year 2022-23. TPW would use this authority for those projects that meeting the following criteria: (1) have been authorized by the Board; and (2) have sufficient funds allocated. This authorization will allow the Director of TPW to award the authorized construction contracts following bid opening instead of returning to the Board for award, which will result in a streamlined process allowing work upon county highways to commence between eight and twelve weeks earlier than normal.
If approved by the Board, the Director will have the authority to:
1. Prepare or direct preparation of surveys, profiles, cross-sections, plans, and specifications, as needed.
2. Notice and publicly open bids.
3. Award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and execute the contracts (including a contingency).
4. Reject all bids and advertise for new bids, as authorized.
5. Consider and accept or reject protests, if filed.
6. Execute change orders, as authorized, and
7. Take all other actions authorized under and in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 22031 and 20390 et seq. of the Public Contract Code.
The Board has authorized TPW to use these alternative contracting procedures for several projects in the current calendar year to include four roads projects during the 2022 summer construction season, seven FEMA and FHWA approved 2017 and 2019 Flood Disaster Projects, the Mark West Springs Road Sidewalk Improvements Project, and the Northwest County Fuels Reduction Grant Projects. These projects were successfully bid and awarded by TPW.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 1: Continue to maintain road segments, including designated turnouts where feasible, increase efforts on vegetation removal and drainage features, and improve pavement conditions in neighborhoods.
Prior Board Actions:
8/30/22: Authorization to Utilize Road Commissioner Authority for Northwest County Fuels Reduction Grant Projects
8/9/22: Authorization to Utilize Road Commissioner Authority for Mark West Springs Road Sidewalk Improvements Project
7/12/22: Authorized contracting authorities to the Road Commissioner for the FEMA and FHWA flood disaster projects.
3/22/22: Authorization to Utilize Road Commissioner Authority for Specified 2022 Paving Projects
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Projects contemplated in this Board Item were included in the FY 2022-23 Roads Division (11051-34010100) Adopted budget. For any project not included in the Adopted budget, TPW will request financial approval from the Board through one of the three regularly scheduled Consolidated Budget Adjustments.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.