REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director
Department of Transportation
BY: SHELLE O’BRIEN, Project Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Maintenance Facility HVAC and Roof Replacement project (Bid File No. 12501683):
1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. P25-1363, dated October 1, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.
2. Approve a Construction Contract in the amount of $5,104,862 with Katch Environmental, for construction services to implement the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Maintenance Facility HVAC and Roof Replacement project.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign and execute all related documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. P25-1363, dated October 1, 2025 a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.
2. Approve a Construction Contract in the amount of $5,104,862 with Katch Environmental, for construction services to implement the Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Maintenance Facility HVAC and Roof Replacement project.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign and execute all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Maintenance Facility HVAC and Roof Replacement project seeks to award a construction contract to replace the existing HVAC system and roof on the FAX Bus Maintenance Building.
The award of this contract will allow FAX to replace the building’s original HVAC equipment and roofing materials that have exceeded its useful life and have resulted in expensive annual repair costs.
This contract complies with Fresno City Council Resolution 2021-242 Project Labor Agreement and is allowed by the federal government.
BACKGROUND
FAX seeks to award a construction contract that will provide the following:
• Removal of existing and installation of new HVAC equipment
• Removal of existing and installation of new roofing materials
This project is needed to upgrade existing HVAC equipment that has exceeded its useful life and experiences frequent failures. New, energy-efficient HVAC equipment will provide for better regulation of temperatures on the shop floor. The Facilities Master Plan assessment recommended replacing the failing roof system. The roof is well past its useful life, experiences frequent leaks that pose a risk to employee health and safety as well as causes damage to interior spaces that house sensitive parts and equipment that need to be protected from the elements. The installation of new roofing materials will correct these issues.
The Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) worked with City of Fresno Purchasing Department to post a Notice Inviting Bids on PlanetBids on June 9, 2025. The invitation for bids (IFB) was also posted on the City’s website, advertised in local community groups and construction organizations, and in Mass Transit Magazine as well as the Central California Builders Exchange. Six (6) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on August 12, 2025. Katch Environmental was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids were set to expire on October 15, 2025, but have been extended to December 5, 2025. FAX has performed an analysis of Katch Environmental’s bid and determined it to be fair and reasonable, having fallen within 19.81% range of the cost estimate of $6,365,681. Therefore, staff recommends Council approve a construction contract in the amount $5,104,862 with Katch Environmental to perform construction services for this project.
The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of the project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/ Class 1 (Minor alteration to existing facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities), which exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity.
The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because the project consists of replacing the existing HVAC equipment and roof materials located at the bus maintenance building at FAX headquarters. The existing equipment is beyond its useful life. This equipment is critical to FAX’s ability to maintain its fleet. These proposed improvements do not constitute an expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
Additionally, the location where the improvements will be installed is not environmentally sensitive, has access to all necessary utilities and public services, and is surrounded by urban developments. The proposed project includes mechanical upgrades which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the respective areas or the condition of land. The project will be in existing building at the FAX Headquarters. The proposed project aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing bus maintenance facilities, hereby promoting more reliable bus services.
Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur because
of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as federal funding precludes the use of local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no fiscal impact on the General Fund. The project budget is comprised of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Program 5339 funds, State of California SB1 State of Good Repair funds, and California Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds. Local match funds will be comprised of FAX Enterprise funds, as needed. Appropriations were included and are available in the FAX FY2025 budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Environmental Assessment No. P25-1363
Standard Contract