Title
Sidewalk Condition Assessment - Contract
History
The Public Works Streets Department addresses trip hazards which are called in by residents throughout the course of the year. Trip hazard remediation may be as simple as grinding down a minimal trip hazard up to a more extensive process of complete removal and replacement, if warranted. Parkway tree roots pushing up sidewalk has become a frequent cause of sidewalk tripping hazards, along with general settlement and the yearly freeze-thaw cycle caused by the change of temperature in this climate. Safely pruning tree roots is necessary when this situation arises, but is only a temporary fix. Contractor support has also been used on a yearly basis to supplement staff when needed.
The Village has begun an initiative to provide safer sidewalks for the residents, as well as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Phase One of this initiative will be to assess all three hundred seventy-five (375) miles of sidewalk within the Village. Once this assessment is complete, a strategic repair program will be implemented. The time period for these repairs will be based on the level of hazard identified, the scope of repairs required, and projected remediation costs.
On November 24, 2021, a Request for Proposals was advertised seeking a qualified firm to perform sidewalk inspections and data collection desired by Public Works to create a sidewalk repair management system to help manage tripping hazards. Qualified firms would provide a portal which would house all data collected identifying every trip hazard greater than one-quarter inch (0.25”) throughout the Village. Each defect is required to be identified with a time stamped picture, nearest address, GPS coordinates, panel dimensions, and recommended method of repair. Upon completion of the assessment, the Village will be provided a detailed report quantifying and prioritizing the defects and providing recommended methods of remediation.
Four (4) firms submitted proposals for this opportunity by the close of the Response Period, on December 15, 2021. Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. of Vernon Hills, Illinois provided the lowest price per mile of sidewalk inspection. A summary of the proposals for can be found below:
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. - $145.00 per mile
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - $164.00 per mile
Baxter & Woodman, Inc. - $184.53 per mile
Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Inc. - $240.00 per mile
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. currently provides GIS support services for the Village, and has completed numerous hardscape condition assessments for past clients. Their high level of service and professional GIS data collection capabilities should provide for a successful project within the project timeline.
Financial Impact
Funds for the Sidewalk Condition Assessment were budgeted for in FY2022, and are available in Public Works account 054-0000-471250.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve awarding RFP 21-065 to Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. of Vernon Hills, Illinois, for $145.00 per mile of sidewalk as outlined in their December 15, 2021, proposal, for an amount not to exceed $59,812.50 ($54,375.00 plus a 10% contingency of $5,437.50);
AND
To authorize the Village Manager to execute all related contracts, subject to Village Attorney review.