8.C.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 10/21/2025
- From:
- Trevor Henry, Capital Improvements Engineer
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Contract: Approve the A/E Professional Services Contract with WSP USA, Inc. in the amount of $358,599.56 for the Butler Avenue Complete Streets Project, Phase 1 - Environmental Clearance
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Approve the A/E Professional Services Contract to WSP USA, Inc. in the amount of $358,599.56 for the Butler Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project, Phase 1 - Environmental Clearance; and
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Executive Summary:
An award of the A/E Professional Services Contract to WSP USA, Inc. will authorize the Phase 1 - Environmental Clearance work to begin. Staff intends to return to City Council with a modification of this contract to include Phase 2 - Design Services which will include plans, specifications and estimates (PS&Es).
The Butler Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project is a bicycle and pedestrian improvement project that will improve the corridor from Milton Avenue to Sawmill Road. The project is in the vicinity of Butler Avenue in Flagstaff, Arizona, and can be generally described as a separated and elevated bicycle lane improvement project with protected intersections. The project is funded by the City of Flagstaff Transportation Tax, Proposition 419, which was approved by voters in November 2018.
Several intersections will be impacted along the Butler Avenue corridor. The Beaver Street, San Francisco Street, and Sawmill Road intersections will be improved to a protect intersection. There will be an existing beacon crosswalk at Humphreys Street that will be upgraded and the installation of a new beacon crosswalk at O’Leary Street. Acquisition of new Right-of-Way is expected for the separated and elevated bike lanes/sidewalk.
The Butler Avenue Complete Streets Improvement Project is a bicycle and pedestrian improvement project that will improve the corridor from Milton Avenue to Sawmill Road. The project is in the vicinity of Butler Avenue in Flagstaff, Arizona, and can be generally described as a separated and elevated bicycle lane improvement project with protected intersections. The project is funded by the City of Flagstaff Transportation Tax, Proposition 419, which was approved by voters in November 2018.
Several intersections will be impacted along the Butler Avenue corridor. The Beaver Street, San Francisco Street, and Sawmill Road intersections will be improved to a protect intersection. There will be an existing beacon crosswalk at Humphreys Street that will be upgraded and the installation of a new beacon crosswalk at O’Leary Street. Acquisition of new Right-of-Way is expected for the separated and elevated bike lanes/sidewalk.
Financial Impact:
The awarded A/E Professional Services Contract will be funded by Transportation Tax – Roadway, Pedestrian, Bicycle and Safety Improvements – Bikeways – Butler Avenue Complete Streets fund from the authorized FY2025-26 budget of $3,280,000, Acct #048-10-120-6412-6.
Policy Impact:
N/A
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
On June 12, 2024, Safe Streets for All Grant agreement was approved.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve the A/E Professional Services Contract as recommended. Approval will allow work to move forward; or
- Reject the A/E Professional Services Contract, not recommended. This action would delay the Project and put into jeopardy the awarded grants.
Background and History:
Butler Avenue is a four-lane minor arterial that provides important east-west connectivity south of the BNSF railroad. The corridor intersects with multiple existing and planned bikeways, connecting routes to multiple destinations. Construction of the Butler Avenue Complete Streets project will help anchor the City’s expanding active transportation infrastructure and encourage bicycling for a broader segment of the City’s population.
The primary goal of the project is to improve multimodal safety and mobility by providing complete streets in accordance with the City’s 2022 Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP).
In December 2023, the City was awarded a $9.6 million Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the US Department of Transportation for the Butler Avenue Complete Streets project. The grant funding covers construction of the separated and elevated bike lanes, crossing improvements at Humphreys Street and O’Leary Street, and protected intersections at Beaver Street, San Francisco Street, and Sawmill Road.
The project is included as part of the City’s Transportation Tax Proposition 419 program.
Purchasing staff issued a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSOQ) solicitation for engineering professional services, and it was published on PlanetBids, the City of Flagstaff’s Bidding platform, on May 23, 2025, and closed the invitation on June 24, 2025. The City received five Statements of Qualifications from engineering consultant firms. A five – member Selection Committee consisted of City staff and one local contractor reviewed and evaluated the statements. The evaluation committee moved forward with interviewing the highest scoring firms. Based upon the numerical scoring of the SOQs, the Selection Committee recommended negotiation of a scope and fee proposal with WSP USAA, Inc.
Expanded Financial Impact:
The total project cost is currently estimated at $12 million. The approved budget for FY26 and FY27 is $12,007,056 from the Transportation Tax- Roadway, Pedestrian, Bicycle and Safety Improvements – Bikeways – Butler Avenue Complete Streets appropriations.
A Safe Streets for All Grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will be used for portions of the Environmental services, Design services and Construction.
An AZ SMART Fund grant was awarded by the State of Arizona and will offset or supplement City funds that will be used for the project.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Providing infrastructure that promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian use.
Community Involvement:
Inform, Involve, Empower
The primary goal of the project is to improve multimodal safety and mobility by providing complete streets in accordance with the City’s 2022 Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP).
In December 2023, the City was awarded a $9.6 million Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the US Department of Transportation for the Butler Avenue Complete Streets project. The grant funding covers construction of the separated and elevated bike lanes, crossing improvements at Humphreys Street and O’Leary Street, and protected intersections at Beaver Street, San Francisco Street, and Sawmill Road.
The project is included as part of the City’s Transportation Tax Proposition 419 program.
Purchasing staff issued a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSOQ) solicitation for engineering professional services, and it was published on PlanetBids, the City of Flagstaff’s Bidding platform, on May 23, 2025, and closed the invitation on June 24, 2025. The City received five Statements of Qualifications from engineering consultant firms. A five – member Selection Committee consisted of City staff and one local contractor reviewed and evaluated the statements. The evaluation committee moved forward with interviewing the highest scoring firms. Based upon the numerical scoring of the SOQs, the Selection Committee recommended negotiation of a scope and fee proposal with WSP USAA, Inc.
Expanded Financial Impact:
The total project cost is currently estimated at $12 million. The approved budget for FY26 and FY27 is $12,007,056 from the Transportation Tax- Roadway, Pedestrian, Bicycle and Safety Improvements – Bikeways – Butler Avenue Complete Streets appropriations.
A Safe Streets for All Grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will be used for portions of the Environmental services, Design services and Construction.
An AZ SMART Fund grant was awarded by the State of Arizona and will offset or supplement City funds that will be used for the project.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Providing infrastructure that promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian use.
Community Involvement:
Inform, Involve, Empower
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
Safe & Healthy Community: Promote physical and mental well-being through providing recreational opportunities, parks, open space, and active transportation options
Sustainable and Innovative Infrastructure: Provide, manage, and maintain effective infrastructure for multimodal and active transportation
Livable Community: Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle
Sustainable and Innovative Infrastructure: Provide, manage, and maintain effective infrastructure for multimodal and active transportation
Livable Community: Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle
Connection to Regional Plan:
Policy T.1.1. Integrate a balanced, multimodal, regional transportation system.
Policy T.1.2. Apply Complete Street Guidelines to accommodate all appropriate modes of travel in transportation improvement projects.
Policy T.1.6. Provide and promote strategies that increase alternate modes of travel and demand for vehicular travel to reduce peak period traffic.
Policy T.2.1. Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Policy T.3.2. Promote transportation systems that reduce the use of fossil fuels and eventually replace with carbon neutral alternatives.
Policy T.1.2. Apply Complete Street Guidelines to accommodate all appropriate modes of travel in transportation improvement projects.
Policy T.1.6. Provide and promote strategies that increase alternate modes of travel and demand for vehicular travel to reduce peak period traffic.
Policy T.2.1. Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Policy T.3.2. Promote transportation systems that reduce the use of fossil fuels and eventually replace with carbon neutral alternatives.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
Decreased Dependence on Cars
DD-2: Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.
DD-3: Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll and take the bus.
DD-2: Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.
DD-3: Encourage Flagstaff residents and visitors to walk, bike, roll and take the bus.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
None
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
None