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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 - Portable Message SignsITEM # MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 2_ FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: APRIL 5, 2011 SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF PORTABLE MESSAGE SIGNS FOR THE TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT THROUGH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON- GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider approval of the purchase of four portable message signs for the Traffic Division of Public Works from the American Signal Company through an interlocal agreement with the Houston - Galveston Area Council in the total amount of $71,318.92. FUNDING SOURCE: Funding for this expenditure is available in account 121 - 48860 - 415 -11- 000007 FY2011 Projects /Machinery and Equipment/Public Works. BACKGROUND: This purchase was made in accordance with an existing interlocal agreement with the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) as allowed by Texas Local Government Code, Section 271.102. This interlocal agreement satisfied all bidding requirements under the Local Government Code. HGAC bid this commodity and established a contract with American Signal Company under contract number PE05 -09 for Traffic Control Equipment. This request is for the purchase of four Portable Variable Message Sign (PVMS) units and is intended to meet the needs of the City with regard to providing traveler information and traffic management direction to motorists. These trailer - mounted PVMS units (also called message boards) are very similar to the units which are widely used in construction areas, and to units which the City has regularly rented in the past in support of various festivals and special events. A cost/benefit analysis showed that the breakeven period for this purchase would be just under five years, given the number of expected uses for this type of equipment that typically occur each year. There will also be further labor and administrative cost savings by not having to schedule, pickup, and return rental units. The units are expected to have a practical lifespan of at least 8 -10 years, and so purchasing message boards will represent a long -term cost savings to City as compared to renting. Having immediate, in -house access to this equipment will also allow staff to more aggressively deploy message boards for shorter -term or unplanned events, such as major freeway crashes. It should be noted that PVMS units are considered to be official traffic control devices, and so their use is limited to traffic management or traveler information functions, just as with the rental units in the past. Staff will be developing a department policy governing their use which will be consistent with existing federal and state regulations on this matter. The model meeting the City's needs (CMS -T333) is available under contract pricing through HGAC and also includes a software upgrade and cellular modem which will allow staff to program each unit and change messages remotely. Staff recommends approval of the purchase of four portable message signs for the Traffic Division of Public Works from the American Signal Company through an intedocal agreement with the Houston - Galveston Area Council in the total amount of $71,318.92. GR Our innovative Dynapoint® Optical Technology in combination with proven ultra - bright, wide angle (30 °) ITE amber LEDs provides enhanced visibility and legibility in both daylight and nighttime conditions. NEW The AMSIG CMS -T333 has enhanced legibility, is cost effective, requires low maintenance, easy to operate, and is GENERAL Height (Raised) 162 " / 4.1m Height (Storage) 108 " / 2.7m Length 190 " / 4,8m Width (Storage) 79.5 " / 2.0m LED Operating Temp -220 - +165° F Electronics Temp. Rating -300 - +165° F Sign Case Height 79.5 " /2.Om Sign Case Width 139.75 " / 3.5m Control Console Display Backlit LCD Pre - Programmed Messages 199 User- defined Messages 199 Message Sequences 250 LED DISPLAY Update Speed: Variable in .10 sec. increments LED Color: ITE Amber /Yellow 18" Character 4 (30 °) LEDs per pixel *rpeeific fans s-r ect to change wath technology OPUO.NS • Remote Control: Cellular, Wireless RF, CDPD, Landline • Radar Overspeed Detection • Queue Detection • NTCIP Compliant / Compatible • 2" hall or lunette eye hitch with adjustable height • Full-Size keyboard terminal • Radar data logging and graphing capability • ITMS Work Zone Compatible • 50 day autonomy • Graphic User Interface (GUI) Software • Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) • AIMSTARTM Adjustable Solar Assembly E AMEM Ahmi i`G,4:I4f SACIN X COMP11NY 2755 Bankers Industrial Dr. Atlanta, GA 30360 (770) -448 -6650 /F (770) -448 -8970 www.amsig.com SOS RESOLUTION NO. I, ` A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR THE CITY MANAGER'S DESIGNEE TO PURCHASE FOUR PORTABLE MESSAGE SIGNS THROUGH AN ESTABLISHED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT 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, Section 271.102 to enter into a Cooperative Purchasing Program Agreement with other qualified entities in the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative HGAC Buy is a qualified purchasing cooperative program as authorized by Section 271.102 of the Texas Local Government Code; and WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine, Texas has established an Interlocal Agreement with the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (HGAC Buy) and wishes to use established contracts meeting all State of Texas bidding requirements; and WHEREAS, the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (HGAC Buy) has established a contract with American Signal Company, contract #PE05 -09, for Traffic Control Equipment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE 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 their entirety. Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Grapevine authorizes the purchase of four Portable Message Signs through an Interlocal Agreement with the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (HGAC Buy) for $71,318.92. Section 3. That the City Manager, or his designee, is authorized to take all steps necessary to consummate the purchase of said products and services. Section 4. 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 April, 2011. APPROVED: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: RES. NO.