| Finance Committee - December 12, 2006 |
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AGENDA FINANCE COMMITTEEMeeting Notice Date: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2006 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of the November 21, 2006 Meeting - ACTION* (attachment) 3. Recommend Approval of a Professional Services Contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff, for Model Development Services for the Congestion Pricing Feasibility Study, in an Amount Not to Exceed $200,000 – ACTION* (attachment) Last spring, at the Board's direction, the Authority applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Value Pricing Program to study congestion pricing. In January, the Federal Highway Administration awarded a $1 million grant to the Authority, making San Francisco the first city in the nation to study area-wide congestion pricing and mobility in an urban area. The Authority's travel forecasting tool (known as “SF-CHAMP”) currently predicts travel only for San Francisco residents, while the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) model is used for trips into and out of San Francisco . This design presents some problems for analyzing the choices and trade-offs that need to be addressed in this study, since the behavior of both residents and nonresidents need to be assessed in a similar manner. The Authority is therefore seeking to expand the existing SF-CHAMP model design to the entire nine-county Bay Area, eliminating the need to analyze results from two separate model systems, while also enhancing the sensitivity of the SF-CHAMP model components to new pricing schemes. On October 18, 2006, the Authority issued a request for proposals (RFP) for model development services in support of the Congestion Pricing. We received one proposal by the November 8 deadline. The Selection Panel has determined that the proposal is responsive to the Authority's needs. We are seeking a recommendation for approval of a professional services contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff, for model development services for the Congestion Pricing Feasibility Study, in an amount not to exceed $200,000. 4. Recommend Award of a General Engineering and Design Professional Services Contract for the South Access to the Golden Gate Bridge : Doyle Drive Replacement Project to Arup/Parsons Brinckerhoff Joint Venture in an Initial Amount Not to Exceed $4,250,250 – ACTION* (attachment) The Authority is the lead agency for the preparation of a federal environmental impact statement and state environmental impact report (EIS/R) and preliminary engineering for the replacement of Doyle Drive , the south access to the Golden Gate Bridge . On September 25, 2006, through Resolution 07-17, the Authority Board adopted Alternative 5 ( Presidio Parkway ) with specified design options, as the Preferred Alternative to be identified within the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Doyle Drive Replacement Project. To maintain project momentum, take advantage of federal funding now available for design and favorably position the Doyle Drive Replacement Project for funding from the recently voter-approved infrastructure bond legislation, the California Department of Transportation and the Authority agreed to proceed with selected design work in advance of completing the Final EIS/R. Accordingly, the Authority issued a Request for Statements of Qualifications on June 28, 2006; three consultant teams submitted proposals by the August 4, 2006 deadline. Based on the competitive process defined in the request for statements of qualifications, t he evaluation panel ranked URS Corporation (URS) first, with Parsons Transportation Group (PTG) and Arup/Parsons Brinckerhoff Joint Venture (Arup/PB) tied in second place. An apparent conflict of interest was brought to light during preliminary contract negotiations with URS, which ultimately resulted in URS withdrawing its proposal to provide these professional services. After conferring with the City Attorney, a new evaluation panel was convened to interview PTG and Arup/PB using the competitive process as defined in the request for statements of qualifications. The panel unanimously recommended the Arup/Parsons Brinckerhoff Joint Venture be awarded the General Engineering and Design Professional Services Contract for the Doyle Drive Replacement Project. We are seeking a recommendation to award a General Engineering and Design Professional Services Contract for the South Access to the Golden Gate Bridge: Doyle Drive Replacement Project to Arup/Parsons Brinckerhoff Joint Venture in an Initial Amount Not to Exceed $4,250,250. 5. Recommend Award of a Three-Year Strategic Communications, Media and Community Relations Professional Services Contract, with Two Additional One-Year Extension Options, to Barbary Coast Consulting in an Initial Amount Not to Exceed $175,000 – ACTION* The Authority is engaged in a number of significant project development and planning efforts, such as the Doyle Drive Replacement Project, the Congestion Pricing, Bi-County and Parking Management studies, and the Van Ness and Geary Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit projects. The complexity, scope and interrelationships of these and other Authority initiatives requires that the Authority develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan integrating the agency's media relations, community involvement and outreach strategies across its three statutory functions, while providing targeted strategic outreach and communications strategies for specific Authority projects and programs. On October 17, 2006, the Authority issued a Request for Statements of Qualifications for strategic communications, media and community relations professional services. Two firms submitted responsive bids by the proposal deadline of November 8, 2006. The proposals were reviewed and both firms interviewed by a four-member selection panel, consisting of representatives from the Authority, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Based on the competitive process as outlined in the request for statement of qualifications, the panel recommended award of the strategic communications, media and community relations professional services contract to Barbary Coast Consulting. We are seeking a recommendation for the award of a three-year strategic communications, media and community relations professional services contract, with two additional one-year extension options, to Barbary Coast Consulting in an initial amount not to exceed $175,000. 6. Recommend Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute all Master Agreements, Program Supplemental Agreements, Fund Exchange Agreements, Fund Transfer Agreements and Any Amendments Thereto Between the Authority and the California Department of Transportation for Receipt of Federal and State Funds – ACTION* (attachment) The Authority regularly receives federal and state transportation funds under ongoing grant programs as well as congressional earmarks. These grant funds are typically administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which requires that various types of funding agreements be executed between the project sponsor and Caltrans before the project sponsor can claim (e.g. seek reimbursement) the grant funds. Caltrans also requires a Board resolution identifying the person or persons authorized to execute these funding agreements. Guidelines established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Caltrans require that certain funding agreements be signed by the project sponsor and returned to Caltrans within 60 days. Caltrans may disencumber and/or de-obligate funds if the deadline is not met. At present, the Authority is in receipt of two Program Supplement Agreements totaling over $4 million that must be returned to Caltrans by December 22. We are recommending approval of a blanket authorizing resolution that will enable us to meet the deadlines required for execution of the current agreements, as well as future agreements for state and federal grant funds awarded to the Authority, consistent with the implementation of the Authority's Board – approved work program. We are seeking a recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to execute all Master Agreements, Program Supplemental Agreements, Fund Exchange Agreements, Fund Transfer Agreements and any amendments thereto between the Authority and the California Department of Transportation for receipt of Federal and State funds. 7. Approve a Resolution Committing to Fulfill the Local Match Requirements for a Caltrans Community Based Transportation Planning Grant for the Columbus Avenue Revitalization Master Plan (Plan) and Authorizing the Executive Director to Enter Into and Execute Grant Agreements with the California Department of Transportation to Prepare the Plan – ACTION* (attachment) In July 2006, the Authority acting as the fiscal agent for RENEW SF, a neighborhood organization located in the North Beach area of the City, was awarded a $144,000 Caltrans Community Based Transportation Planning grant for the Columbus Avenue Revitalization Master Plan (Plan). In order for the Authority to receive the grant, Caltrans requires that by the end of the calendar year we approve a local resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into and execute grant agreements with Caltrans for this specific planning effort, and to identify and commit to providing the local match needed to fully fund the Plan. The Plan focuses on Columbus Avenue from the Transamerica Pyramid to Fisherman's Wharf, and is intended to support economic revitalization and pedestrian activity on Columbus Avenue , and build transportation planning capacity among neighborhood organizations. The grant requires a 20% local match or $36,000, which is proposed to be funded with $12,000 in Prop K funds, $12,000 in in-kind contributions from RENEW SF, and $12,000 from DPW equally split between in-kind contributions and cash. At its December 12 meeting, the Plans and Programs Committee will be asked to recommend appropriation of $12,000 in Prop K funds for the Plan. We are developing a memorandum of understanding with DPW and RENEW SF regarding their share of the local match. We are seeking a recommendation to approve a resolution committing to fulfill the local match requirements for a Caltrans Community Based Transportation Planning Grant for the Plan and authorizing the Executive Director to enter into and execute grant agreements with the California Department of Transportation to prepare the Plan. 8. Recommend Adoption of the Draft Authority's Travel, Conference, Training and Business Expenses Policies, and Amend Section 3.2 of the Administrative Code – ACTION* (attachment) The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (Authority) Travel, Conference, Training and Business Expenses Policies were last reviewed and adopted on July 15, 1991, through Resolution 91-13. The Authority Administrative Code was last reviewed and revised on September 23, 2003 through Ordinance O04-1. AB1234 (Salinas-approved October 7, 2005) requires local agencies, such as the Authority, that provide reimbursement to its governing members for expenses and compensation for attending meetings and other duties for the agency, adopt a written policy concerning what occurrences qualify a governing member to receive reimbursement of expenses and imposes related requirements, including the filing of expense reports, which would be public records. AB 1234 also requires that all local agency officials whose term of office extends past January 1, 2007 receive training in ethics as specified by the statute. With assistance and guidance from general counsel, we are recommending several changes to the existing Travel, Conference, Training and Business Expenses Policies and the Authority Administrative Code to both clarify the current language and make the Policies and Code consistent with AB 1234. We are seeking a recommendation to adopt the Authority's Draft Travel, Conference, Training and Business Expenses Policies, and amend Section 3.2 of the Administrative Code. 9. Introduction of New Items – INFORMATION 10. Public Comment 11. Adjournment Please note that the meeting proceedings can be viewed live at http://www.sfgov.org/sfgtv or that evening at 6:00 pm on Cable Channel 26 in San Francisco, with a repeat on the weekend (either Saturday or Sunday evening). To know the exact cablecast times for weekend viewing, please call SFGTV at (415) 557-4293 on Friday when the cablecast times have been determined. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at all public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals. 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