Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to an Existing Consulting Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. that increases the Total Maximum Amount of Compensation by $106,140 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $513,337; and to Authorize Additional Agreement Amendments Up to a Maximum of 15% ($77,000) of the New Contract Total for Professional Design Services in Support of the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement, Project No. 2024.1010
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Maintain and enhance San Leandro's infrastructure
• Quality of Life
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY
Amendment No. 1 to the Consulting Services Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. for the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement, Project No. 2024.1010 provides additional professional design services for a replacement bridge over the San Leandro Creek connecting Cary Drive and Haas Avenue. The amendment would allow for the design of a longer bridge with new abutments, which was not part of the original scope of work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following actions:
• Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 with MNS Engineers, Inc. increasing the fee by $106,140 for a new total Not-to-Exceed amount of $513,337; and
• Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and approve future amendments up to a maximum of 15% ($77,000) of the revised maximum amount of compensation.
BACKGROUND
In March 2023 a severe storm event caused felled trees to severely damage the pedestrian bridge over San Leandro Creek connecting Cary Drive and Haas Avenue. For 60 years, the Cary Drive-Haas Avenue pedestrian bridge served as a link between neighborhoods and provided a path of travel for pedestrians to and from Bancroft Middle School, Memorial Park, San Leandro Main Library, and many retail businesses.
Demolition of the bridge was subsequently completed in September 2024.
Also in September 2024, the City Council accepted a $5,000,000 contribution from an anonymous donor towards the design and reconstruction of the Cary-Haas Bridge. Accepting this donation allowed the City to more expeditiously proceed with the solicitation of a consultant team to design a replacement bridge.
A design contract for a replacement bridge was awarded to MNS Engineers, Inc. and design started in December 2024. One of the initial tasks for the project was to determine if the existing bridge abutments may be used to support the replacement pedestrian bridge, as doing so would help minimize project costs and accelerate the project schedule.
Analysis
Initial field investigation by the Consultant determined that the existing abutments would not be able to support a new bridge without significant structural reinforcement. In addition, even with reinforcement, it was determined the existing abutments would not be capable of supporting the weight of a new concrete bridge deck, requiring the use of a lighter alternate decking material that would require more maintenance.
In response, the City directed MNS Engineers, Inc. to evaluate the feasibility and cost impact of constructing new bridge abutments to support the replacement bridge. Revising the project to include new abutments is estimated to increase the total project cost by $255,000 ($106,000 in additional design fees and $149,000 in construction cost). However, this option was determined to be more cost-effective than reinforcing the existing abutments, which would require specialized equipment with high mobilization costs.
Additionally, new abutments would provide long-term benefits, including extended service life of the replacement bridge, greater flexibility in the selection of decking materials, and fewer design constraints. Staff anticipates that the current project budget will be able to accommodate the additional cost to both design and construct new abutments. City staff therefore recommends proceeding with the design revision to include new foundations.
Staff also recommends a 15% contract contingency, as the project is currently only at the 35% design stage. This will allow flexibility to address additional unforeseen conditions, environmental or permitting requirements, potential utility relocation, and right-of-way negotiations.
Current Agency Policies
• Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure
• Maintain and support a strong positive relationship between the City, schools, and the educational community
Previous Actions
• On October 21, 2024, the City Council by Resolution No. 2024-131, executed a contractual services agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $407,197 for professional design services in support of the Cary Haas Pedestrian Bridge, and to negotiate and approve individual contract change amendments up to 10% ($40,700) of the original contract amount, and to negotiate and approve contract amendments up to a cumulative value of 25% (101,800) of the original contract amount.
• On September 5, 2023, the City Council by Resolution No. 2023-121 awarded an emergency construction contract for the demolition and removal of the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge
• On September 3, 2024, the City Council by Resolution No. 2024-114 accepted a Letter of Intent to Donate and authorized the expenditure of funds in the amount of $5,000,000 to aid in the replacement of the Cary-Haas Pedestrian Bridge
Committee Review and Actions
• On July 10, 2025, staff provided an update to the City Council Facilities and Transportation Committee on the replacement bridge design, outlining the limitations of reusing the existing abutments and the benefits of constructing new abutments. The Committee recommended that Amendment No. 1 to the Consultant Service Agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc. to incorporate the new bridge design be brought to City Council for consideration and approval.
Environmental Review
• A California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review will be completed as part of the design phase of the Project
Legal Analysis
The consultant has agreed to the terms of the amendment.
Financial Impacts
The revised project cost is estimated as follows:
Design, Bid & Award (with contingency and ROW) $ 800,000
Construction Contract (estimated) $ 900,000
Construction Management & Inspection (estimated) $ 200,000
Construction Contingencies (estimated) $ 250,000
Total $2,150,0000
The project budget includes sufficient funds to both design and construct the new abutments. This Council action will not impact on the project fund balance as funds were previously appropriated, including City Council’s acceptance of a $5,000,000 donation (Resolution No. 2024-114) for the pedestrian bridge replacement. The donated funds have been and will be disbursed in installments. The first $1.5 million installment was received prior to the start of design. Additional installments will be requested prior to advertising the project for bid and prior to award of the construction contract.
The project cost is fully funded as follows:
Acct 210-38-904 $1,500,000
Future donation installments $3,500,000
Total $5,000,000
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution
B: Amendment 1 scope revisions.
C: Amendment 1 cost revisions.
D: Original Agreement
PREPARED BY: Mark Goralka, Associate Engineer, Public Works Department – Engineering Division