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Contract Amendment with Three Oaks Engineering, Inc. to complete the Safe Routes to School Action Plan
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with Three Oaks Engineering, Inc. to increase the project scope and update the timeline for completing the Safe Routes to School Action Plan.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
__X__ Race/Equity _X___ Climate _X__ Comprehensive Plan ___Other
Council Direction Statement
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan is a key document guiding efforts to make it safer and easier for Carrboro students to walk, bike, and roll to school. Extending the scope and schedule of the Town’s contract with Three Oaks Engineering, Inc. will allow the Town to better serve all Carrboro students and advance several priority infrastructure projects through preliminary design to position them for future funding opportunities. Copies of the Transportation REAL and the previously attached copy of the Climate Action Pocket Questions have been provided.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Town of Carrboro received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Grant from NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) in 2023, followed by a supplemental award in 2025, which increased the total allocation to just under $250,000. In August 2025, the Town entered into a contract with Three Oaks Engineering, Inc. for $75,000 to update the SRTS Action Plan. The original SRTS Plan was adopted in 2011.
The initial scope focused on the five Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools located within Carrboro: Carrboro Elementary, Carrboro High, McDougle Elementary, McDougle Middle, and Morris Grove Elementary. Early engagement revealed that many Carrboro students attend schools just across the municipal boundary in Chapel Hill. With that in mind, at the Town’s request, Three Oaks Engineering has prepared a revised project scope to add the following additional work:
• analyze connectivity and coordinate recommendations for safer walking, biking, and rolling routes to Culbreth Middle, Frank Porter Graham Elementary, Northside Elementary, Seawell Elementary, Smith Middle, and Chapel Hill High;
• advance several priority infrastructure recommendations through preliminary design to approximately 15-30 percent design. The early design work will position the Town to pursue upcoming funding opportunities and support quicker implementation once the updated plan is adopted; and
• extend the contract to the end of the grant period.
Together, the proposed scope and schedule extension (Attachment B) will strengthen the impact of the SRTS Action Plan for Carrboro students and families. They also reaffirm the Town’s commitment to creating a safe, comfortable, and efficient environment for people walking, biking, and rolling amid changing conditions and development patterns in Carrboro and the surrounding region.
NCDOT IMD has expressed support for the additional work. All grant funds must be expended by December 31, 2026.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: The total grant award is $249,349: $217,349 (federal funding) and $32,000 (local match). If approved, the contract for Three Oaks Engineering would increase from $75,000 to a not to exceed cost of $214,500. The increase would include up to $90,000 for preliminary design. There are sufficient funds in the grant to cover this amount with no additional cost to the Town.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt the resolution provided (Attachment A) authorizing the Town Manager to execute a contract amendment with Three Oaks Engineering, Inc. to increase the project scope and extend the project timeline through December 31, 2026.
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