SHORELINE — The City Council utilized their ink pad and stamp for a contract with CH2M Hill for the Public Outreach and Pre-environmental component (POP) of the Aurora Corridor Improvement Project Phase 2.
The action item passed 5-2 at the May 2 City Council meeting, with Council members Maggie Fimia and John Chang dissenting. The firm’s work will focus on the second section of the Aurora Corridor Improvement plan, from N. 165th to N. 205th streets. The contract amount is not to exceed $385,000.
“They have taken care of our needs in the substantial amount of work they have undertaken,” said Public Works director Paul Haines. “It wouldn’t make sense to say they didn’t have a lead position.”
CH2M Hill was the city’s consultant on the Aurora Corridor Improvement project Phase 1 (N. 145th Street to N. 165th Street) and was hired during the pre-design process in 1998. Phase 1 work included pre-design studies, environmental impact analysis and documentation, right-of-way acquisition and final design stages. Although CH2M Hill will provide engineering services during construction of 145th-165th streets, they will not provide construction management services for construction of the segment.
Aurora Corridor Project Manager Kirk McKinley said city staff have been satisfied with the work of CH2M Hill and if the city were to hire another firm, there would likely be a delay and loss of funds.
According to the staff report, the purpose of the POP is to provide support for public outreach and communication through council and community meetings, analysis of baseline environmental conditions, creation of draft alignments (pre-design through 15 percent), analysis of environmental impacts based on planning level alignments, obtain agency confirmation of environmental documentation level for the project and develop the preliminary preferred design.
City manager Steve Burkett said one goal in the POP process is to make the Phase 2 time frame a relatively short process since it took seven years to complete the process for Phase 1.
Council member Maggie Fimia said although she supports improvements on Aurora Avenue, it is too expensive to conduct outreach for $400,000.
Council member John Chang said he was told Phase 1 was the simplest and easiest, but C2HM Hill charged the city too much.
“I think CH2M Hill may be a good firm, but on the first phase they made a serious mistake,” Chang said. “I would like to have someone accountable.”
Haines said the Phase 1 project likely cost a substantial amount because it is a highly contentious subject with many business owners on Aurora Avenue N., which necessitated additional time to resolve issues.
Council member Paul Grace hoped the Council and CH2M Hill could learn from the past. He said the POP contract is needed.
The second segment of the Aurora Corridor Project from 165th to 205th streets has funding from two federal agencies: the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Along with both federal agencies is the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
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