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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 - Pedestrian Crossing Warning Systems EM #„ MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2013 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WARNING SYSTEMS AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF DECORATIVE TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES FROM A SOLE SOURCE VENDOR. RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider the following and take any necessary action: • approve staffs' recommended installation of a pedestrian crossing warning system at Main Street & Hudgins Street • approve the replacement of existing pedestrian crossing warning systems at Texas Street and at Franklin Street with a warning system consistent with the new system at Hudgins Street • adopt a resolution for the purchase of decorative traffic signal poles from Union Metal Corporation for pedestrian crossings on Main Street and consider them a sole source vendor FUNDING SOURCE: Funding for this purchase is currently available in account 178-78102-013 (Main StlPedestrian Improvements) in the amount not to exceed $52,000.00. BACKGROUND: With the completion of the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) building on Main St. at Hudgins St., and the location of the Glockenspiel viewing plaza on the opposite corner, an increase in pedestrian crossing activity has been noted at this location. This activity is expected to continue to increase in the future with the extension of Hudgins St. and its pedestrian corridor to Nash Farm, the construction of the TEX Rail station, and other development around the south end of the downtown core. Therefore, the installation of a pedestrian crossing warning system is recommended to alert drivers to pedestrians in the crosswalks across all four legs of this intersection. In order to achieve the best likelihood of success in having drivers yield to pedestrians while remaining compliant with state and federal requirements for legal traffic control 1/21/2013 (9:19:25 ) ENA #4 devices, staff recommends the use of rectangular rapid-flash beacons. These overhead yellow warning beacons would be similar in design to the recently installed devices on Dove Rd. at Horseshoe Trail and on Mustang Dr. at the Community Outreach Center. The crossing would consist of two mast arm poles (northeast and southwest corners) which would extend the pedestrian warning signs and strobe-like beacons one full lane width out over Main St. This would provide for good visibility of the displays for Main St. traffic without interfering with the view of the CVB building from the viewing plaza. Signs and beacons for Hudgins St. traffic would be mounted on the poles on diagonal corners. Push buttons to activate the warning lights would be provided on all four corners. In order to maintain consistency among all three pedestrian crossings on Main St., and to improve the effectiveness and reliability at the two existing crossings at Texas and Franklin Streets, staff proposes to remove the existing round beacons and in-pavement lights at these crossings. The existing equipment will be replaced with new mast arm poles and rectangular rapid-flash beacons at the two existing locations. The overhead signs would extend out over Main St. just past the edge of the parking lanes in each direction. This purchase of six mast arm poles will be used for the three pedestrian crossing warning systems. Two poles with 22 ft arms will be located at Main St. and Hudgins St., and two poles with 12 ft arms will be located at each of the existing crosswalks at Texas and Franklin Streets. The style of the poles will match the decorative existing traffic signal and lighting poles on Main St. in the Historic District, and each pole will include an acorn-style luminaire on top. This procurement will be made as a sole source in accordance with Local Government Code Chapter 252, Subchapter B, Section 252.022(a)(7)(A). This sole source purchase from Union Metal Corporation is necessary to allow the new poles to provide the closest and most cost effective match to the existing traffic signal poles already located along Main Street. This vendor supplied those poles when those traffic signals were constructed in the mid-1990's, and so they have the engineering drawings already prepared and on file to replicate the style, color, etc., of the current poles. The expected lead time for these poles will be 12-14 weeks because they will be custom manufactured for this use in Grapevine. Staff recommends approval. CH/BS 1/21/2013 (9:19:25 EII\A #4 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS,AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER dP Pole OR THE CITY MANAGER'S DESIGNEE TO DECLARE UNION METAL CORPORATION A SOLE SOURCE VENDOR FOR THE PURCHASE OF DECORATIVE TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES FOR THE GRAPEVINE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine, Texas is a local government in the State of Texas and as such is empowered by the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 252, Subchapter B, Section 252.022 (a)(7)(A)to consider items available from only one source as an exception to the bidding requirements of the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, Union Metal Corporation is the sole source provider in our marketplace for decorative traffic signal poles consistent with previously supplied traffic signal poles now existing in the Main Street Historic District; and WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine Public Works Department has the need to purchase additional decorative traffic signal of oft same design. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BYTHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated in the above preamble are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if copied in it entirety, Section 2. That the City Manager, or his designee, is authorized tot a all steps necessary to purchase the decorative traffic signal poles fort Public or Department from Union Metal Corporation, as a sole source vendor, !in an amount not to exceed $52,000.00. Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 5th day of February, 2013. APPROVED: II :#„ ATTEST: FORM:APPROVED AS TO . 2