Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Information Technology

TO:	Dave Corliss, City Manager
CC:	Charles Soules, Director of Public Works Mark Thiel, Asst. Director of Public Works David Cronin, City Engineer Todd Lohman, Traffic Supervisor Sean Sloan, Purchasing Specialist
FROM:	James Wisdom, Director of Information Technology
DATE:	March 10, 2015
RE:	Authorize the advertisement of Bid# B1507, 6^th Street Fiber Project.

Background

On June 25, 2013, the City Commission approved submitting two (2) applications to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for consideration in their 2015 Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Set-Aside Program.  The two applications were referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2 and can be viewed on this map.

Phase1 included traffic related equipment to add 12 intersections from the intersection of 23^rd Street and Iowa Street, west on Clinton Parkway, and along Wakarusa to 6^th Street and west on 6^th Street.  Additionally, the intersection of 23^rd Street and O’Connell Road was included in this project.  Phase 1 included installing new controllers, pan-tilt-zoom traffic cameras, and cabinet modifications to enhance traffic flow, traffic safety and monitor each intersection.  The estimated costs of Phase 1 was $215,000 and was a sixty percent (60%) State and forty percent (40%) City funded grant.

Phase 2 included installing conduit and fiber from 6^th Street and Wakarusa to 6^th Street and Iowa Street.  The cost estimate to install fiber and planned traffic improvements for this project was $457,000.  The Phase 2 project would complete the ability to have a fiber ring.  This ring would encompass 6^th Street and Iowa Street to 23^rd Street and Iowa Street, to Clinton Parkway and Wakarusa, to 6^th Street and Wakarusa, then back to 6^th Street and Iowa Street.  Additionally, this project would include making available 96-strands of fiber for lease as estimated in conjunction with the City’s pending Fiber Policy.  Bid No. B1507 will include an Alternate Bid#1 that would extend the fiber from 6^th Street and Iowa Street to 2^nd Street and McDonald Drive to the USD-497 Lawrence Public Schools Headquarters for consideration that would potentially be funded by USD-497 if funds allow.  

Program Status

KDOT’s funds will be available on July 1, 2015 for reimbursement applications.  The Public Works Department has procured many of the needed materials for the Phase 1 project and are preparing to begin implementing Phase1.  Public Works estimates that there will be approximately $290,000 remaining toward the Phase 2, 6^th Street Fiber Project after Phase 1 is complete, and the KDOT Set-Aside funds have been reimbursed.    

Program Funding.

On August 13, 2013, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 7038 for $400,000 to fund the 6^th Street Fiber Project.  On July 22, 2014 the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 7078, amending Resolution 7038, to include City’s matching forty percent (40%) funds of $105,750 for Phase 1.

The Public Works Department and Information Technology Department have been working with other anchor institutions, such as USD-497 Lawrence Public Schools, Kansas University, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, that have similar interest and could potentially share in the funding of the Phase 2 project.  Once bids have been received, the City and potential anchor institution partners will evaluate their funding potential to complete all or some of the components of this project.  Priority will be given toward the Phase 2 Project, but with the help of other institutions the potential exists to complete some of the City’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) goals for 6^th Street that the City could not fund on its own.  At a minimum, it is estimated there should be sufficient funds to install the conduit, hand holes, and fiber on 6^th Street from 6^th & Iowa to 6^th & Wakarusa. 

Action

Authorize staff to advertise Bid No. B1507, for installing conduit, fiber, and related equipment for the 6^th Street fiber project.