Title
Authorizing using a Project Labor Agreement for the Fairview Avenue Reconstruction, Wheelock Parkway Phase IV, and Summit Avenue Bridge No. 62504 projects, and authorizing not using a Project Labor Agreement on the East 7th Street Pedestrian Improvements and Washington Tech Safe Routes to School projects.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council adopted a policy on the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) pursuant to Council File #09-584 for projects involving $250,000 or more of city money; and
WHEREAS, Public Works is undertaking the following street and bridge reconstruction projects in 2019 with total budgets over $250,000:
East 7th Street Pedestrian Improvements: Various pedestrian safety improvements along East 7th Street between Greenbrier Street and Arcade Street.
Fairview Avenue Reconstruction: Reconstruction of Fairview Avenue between Shields Avenue and University Avenue.
Washington Tech Safe Routes to School: Various intersection improvements, bump outs, and sidewalk work in the vicinity of Washington Technology Magnet School.
Wheelock Parkway Phase IV: Reconstruction of Wheelock Parkway between Western Avenue and Rice Street.
Summit Avenue Bridge No. 62504: Reconstruction of bridge and approach roadways.
WHEREAS, Public Works sent written "Notice and Request for Recommendation on the Use of a PLA" to interested parties on January 3, 2019 with two responses received; and
WHEREAS, the Associated General Contractors of MN (AGC) stated "A significant investment, will take some time to complete, and raises particular safety and quality issues for which a PLA will help” as reasons they recommend a PLA for East 7th Street Pedestrian Improvements, Fairview Avenue Reconstruction, Washington Tech Safe Routes to School, Wheelock Parkway Phase IV, and Summit Bridge No. 62504 with no other recommendations for using a PLA; and
WHEREAS, the PLA response form from AGC offered no specifics which would indicate concerns over a significant investment, amount of time to complete, or safety and quality issues; and
WHEREAS, Public Works staff reached out to the AGC for discussion and received no response; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) stated "Dollar amount and multi-craft” as reasons they recommend a PLA for Fairview Avenue Reconstruction, Washington Tech Safe Routes to School, Wheelock Parkway Phase IV, and Summit Bridge No. 62504 with no other recommendations for using a PLA; and
WHEREAS, the PLA response form from BCTC offered no specifics which would indicate concerns over dollar amount and multi-craft; and
WHEREAS, Public Works staff discussed the aforementioned projects with the BCTC and found a common understanding of each project’s needs; and
WHEREAS, Public Works has recommended the use of a PLA for Fairview Avenue Reconstruction, Wheelock Parkway Phase IV, and Summit Avenue Bridge No. 62504 for the following reasons:
Work stoppages would adversely affect the city.
Multi-craft construction force and multiple subcontractors will be used.
Work involved includes varied types of construction including roadway and multiple utility types.
WHEREAS, Public Works has recommended against the use of a PLA for East 7th Street Pedestrian Improvements and Washington Tech Safe Routes to School for the following reasons:
Smaller-scale projects.
Work may be suspended and restarted with minimal impacts.
City forces will provide labor for work outside of concrete placement.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby approves the USE of a PLA on Fairview Avenue Reconstruction, Wheelock Parkway Phase IV, and Summit Bridge No. 62504 and approves to NOT USE a PLA on East 7th Street Pedestrian Improvements and Washington Tech Safe Routes to School.