07-09-12 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Budget Agenda Date Requested:July 9, 2012 Source of Funds:C I P Requested By:Chief Adcox Account Number:015-9892-628-5110/ Department:La Porte Police Dept. CIP ContingencyAcct. Report: XResolution:Ordinance: Amount Budgeted:$105,000 Exhibits:Bid List Amount Requested:$130, 788 Exhibits: Bid Tab Budgeted Item:YES Exhibits SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION th On June 19,the City received six (6) bid proposals to construct a D.O.T. Weigh Station underneath the Hwy 146 overpass at Barbour’s Cut Blvd consisting of three lanes for staging trucks with a fourth lane as a LPPD staging area. The project’s ultimate goal is to provide an offsite area to safely conduct truck/trailer inspections. The low bid was submitted by R.W. Lucas Construction in the amount of $130,788. This is $25,788abovetheamount originally approved for this project in the2011/2012 budget. The additional funds are available in the Capital Improvement Projects Contingency Accountand staff is recommending that a budget amendmentfrom the CIP Contingency accountbe made in order to increase funds available for this project and that the constructionbid in question be awarded to the project’s low bidder, R.W. Lucas. Project Benefits, Liabilities, and Operating Costs: Because of its proximity to the Port of Houston, the area surrounding the intersection of Highway 146 and Barbours Cut Boulevard consistently experiences very heavy truck traffic. A secure commercial vehicle inspection site at this location will allow for the Police Department’s assigned DOT Officers to safely inspect trucks travelling in any direction through the intersection in questionand reduce dangerous exposure of officers and truck drivers to traffic while these duties are being performed. While the City of La Porte’s General Liability Insurance, should protectthe City relating to any injury or damage claims arising from activities occurring on the proposed site, maintenance and operation of the site shall be entirely the responsibility of the City. Since the improvements in question will be limited to a single large concrete slab and no structures of any kind are being proposed, maintenance should be limited to keeping the area a clean,sanitary, and in good repair. Since the slab is being appropriately engineered to withstand heavy loads and will be new construction, City Engineering has advised that maintenance and repairs are expected to be very minimal and should not be required for several years. As such, significant on-going maintenance costs are not anticipated as part of operating the site in question.