Agenda Date: 10/20/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 78-2026: Approving a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Presentations: |
Kenna Davis, Senior Transportation Planner |
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Shane Roberts, Senior Transportation Planner |
PURPOSE:
Approving a Professional Services Contract with Olsson for the Transportation Master Plan Update, City Project No. 26-33.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Robust and Resilient Economy; Vibrant Community with Rich Culture; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
On March 30, 2026 the City of Littleton advertised a Request for Proposals to procure contractor services for the Transportation Master Plan Update, City Project No. 26-33. Four proposals were received by the May 12, 2026 deadline. Staff reviewed the proposals based on team structure, qualifications, and past team experience, project understanding, approach, and schedule, stakeholder and public engagement approach, QA/QC approach, value-add services, and task fee schedule. Staff selected Olsson’s proposal and interview as reasonable and the most qualified to successfully complete the project.
Approval of this resolution would authorize a contract with Olsson for completion of the Transportation Master Plan Update, City Project No. 26-33. The project is anticipated to begin in November 2026 with anticipated completion in Q1 2028.
BACKGROUND:
The first ever Transportation Master Plan (TMP) in the City of Littleton’s history was developed and adopted by City Council in 2019. The intent of the TMP was to address the challenges of facilitating mobility and access in a strategic manner, within the reasonable fiscal constraints of the City’s budget and limited state and federal funding opportunities, and in a way that is responsive to anticipated demographic and technological changes.
The TMP resulted from an 18-month planning and community engagement process. With influence from the City of Littleton’s Comprehensive Plan and other guiding documents, the TMP established the City’s ultimate transportation system vision, the policies to support that system, and capital projects that are prioritized with consideration of funding constraints. The document provides a long-term transportation vision (20+ years) for the City of Littleton and serves as a guiding document for improvements to roadways and multimodal transportation networks.
While the TMP update will not constitute a complete overhaul of the current plan, it will be significantly more than a perfunctory update. The existing TMP is increasingly misaligned with the City’s evolving priorities, including growing political support for high-comfort bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, heightened expectations for safety, and the need for more integrated planning frameworks.
An updated TMP is essential to ensure that the vision, goals, and objectives of one of the City’s core guiding documents accurately reflect current policies and strategic direction. It will also formalize coordination across divisions within Public Works, support transparency with residents, enhance the credibility of transportation investments, and further the City’s commitment to a connected, safe, and inclusive transportation system.
While the TMP continues to provide this vision for transportation in Littleton, industry best practice is to regularly update TMPs every five years. The original planned update in 2024 was postponed due to the creation and implementation of the Safer Streets Littleton (SSL) program. While delaying in order to focus more on bicycle and pedestrian safety was needed at the time, delaying further will ultimately hurt the overall transportation program, grant opportunities, and trust with the public. This memorandum outlines how the TMP is currently working well, what areas are most in need to be updated, and the staffing and financial resources needed to accomplish a successful plan.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• 2019: Council adopts the TMP.
• 2022: The first Report on Progress for the TMP is published.
• 2024: The original planned update is postponed due to the creation and implementation of the Safer Streets Littleton (SSL) program.
• March-June 2025: Staff works with the Transportation & Mobility Board (TMB) to identify six priority focus areas for the TMP update.
• March 2026: The second Report on Progress is published.
• March 3, 2026: Staff presents to City Council to provide an overview of the TMP update scope of work and seek approval to release the Request for Proposals. City Council approves the scope of work and publication of the solicitation.
• March 30, 2026: Request for Proposals (RFP) is published.
• May 12, 2026: Proposals from four consultants are submitted.
• June 2026: Staff reviews proposals.
• July 2026: Consultant interviews are conducted with all four consultants.
• July 2026: Olsson is selected as the consultant, and Intent to Award is issued.
• August 2026: Olsson submits an updated Scope of Work.
• September 2026: Staff works with Olsson for contract modifications.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
City budget has allocated $1,500,000 for this project. The proposed contract with Olsson for Part A and Part B is not to exceed $1,296,248.25, leaving approximately $203,751.75 of the allocated budget remaining.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Professional Services Agreement for the Transportation Master Plan update which is scheduled to come before City Council on October 20, 2026.
ALTERNATIVES:
If City Council does not approve this contract, staff will need to renegotiate the scope of work with Olsson, rebid this project through a formal solicitation, or perform the work using only staff resources. These will delay the overall project schedule.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 78-2026 approving a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update, City Project No. 26-33.