City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 06/04/12 Item Number: C-8
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: (1) Acceptance of Work Performed by Steiny and
Company, Inc.; (2) Authorization to File a Notice of Completion; and (3)
Authorization to Release the Retention Payment upon Expiration of the 35-Day Lien
Period; for the Washington Boulevard/Boise Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Signal, P-
934, CDBG #REC092-10
Contact Person/Dept.: Sammy Romo/PW Phone Number: 310-253-5619
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Agenda and Meetings – City Council (05/30/12); (E-Mail)
Steiny and Company, Inc. (05/31/12)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (05/23/12)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/30/12)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by K. Marsden) (05/30/12)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/30/12)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council: (1) accept the work performed by Steiny and
Company, Inc.; (2) authorize filing a Notice of Completion; and (3) authorize release of
retention payment upon expiration of the 35-day lien period for the Washington
Boulevard/Boise Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Project, P-934, CDBG #REC-092-10.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On September 26, 2011, the City Council approved a construction contract with Steiny
and Company, Inc for the installation of a pedestrian traffic signal with flashing yellow
lights in each direction of travel at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Boise
Avenue. The work also included the installation of interlocking pavers within the
crosswalk.
The new pedestrian signal is activated by a pedestrian push button at each side of
Washington Boulevard. After the button is activated, an audible recording annunciates
that the pedestrian must proceed with caution while crossing the street as approaching
vehicles may not stop. Also, there is a sign above the pedestrian push button that
states ‘push button for pedestrian warning lights. Cross with caution.’ The new
pedestrian signal then displays alternating flashing yellow beacons to approaching
vehicles to alert motorists that there are pedestrians attempting to cross the street.
Motorists are not required by the California Vehicle Code Section 21457 to stop for a
flashing yellow but only to proceed with caution. The pedestrian signal is not an
uncommon installation in the Los Angeles area. The new pedestrian signal is
approved for use in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Controls (CA MUTCD). City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
According to the CA MUTCD, a conventional traffic signal (with red, yellow, and green
phases) was not warranted due to low vehicular traffic volumes on Boise Avenue for
this intersection, and, therefore, such a signal was not considered during final design.
Similarly, a HAWK (or Hybrid) type traffic signal, which incorporates a flashing yellow
phase and subsequently a flashing red light phase when activated by pedestrian push
button, can only be employed at locations at least one hundred feet away from an
intersection (mid-block crosswalk). The pedestrian crossing signal which was
constructed for this project did satisfy the warrants per the CA MUTCD. This new
pedestrian signal adds an element of alertness to both motorists and pedestrians
thereby improving the pedestrian circulation in the neighborhood and providing a focal
crossing point for pedestrians without them having to walk large distances to the
nearest fully signalized intersection.
Steiny and Company, Inc. successfully completed the work as required in the executed
contract dated October 17, 2011. The construction management was performed by
staff, and construction inspection was performed by The Nickerson Company through
the on-call general civil engineering contract.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The approved construction contract amount was $156,753 and the City Council
authorized the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve change orders in an
amount not-to-exceed $16,675, if necessary. Several minor change orders in the total
amount of $9,474 were issued. The final construction expenditure amount was
$166,227.
Project Budget
Funding Source Amount
P-934 CDBG-R (42800934) $42,853
P-934 Gas Tax (41800934) $86,357
Community Improvement Funds (48695100) $57,000
Total $186,210
Final Project Expenses
Washington Boulevard/Boise Avenue Pedestrian
Crossing Project, P-934
$166,227
Construction Inspection Services $15,498
Southern California Edison permit application $2,589
Final Project Expenses $184,314 City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1) Accept the work performed by the contractor, Steiny and Company, Inc., for the
Washington Boulevard/Boise Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Project, P-934, CDBG
#REC092-10; and,
2) Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to execute the Notice of
Completion and submit it to the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office for
recordation; and,
3) Authorize the release of retention funds to Steiny and Company, Inc., upon
expiration of the 35-day lien period.