REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: francisco V. magos II, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
DEBBIE BERNARD, Project Manager
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project, Bid File 12600535 (Council District 1):
1. Adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222;
2. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $212,936.87 to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council (1) adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222, (2) award a Construction Contract in the amount of $212,936.87 to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project (Project), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the standardized Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Capital Projects Department seeks to award a Construction Contract to Geometric Construction, Inc. following a competitive bidding process which identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $212,936.87. The Project will add much needed interior perimeter lighting to the park, eliminating dark spots and providing for a safer environment for park guests. The new shade structure will lower the temperature on the play equipment during the hot summer months, making for a more enjoyable experience for the users. The Construction Contract will be funded utilizing Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations from Measure P, Expenditure Category 2.
BACKGROUND
Trolley Park is a 0.36-acre neighborhood park which was constructed in early 2024. Phase one of the Project included the development of a central community green space and plaza for gatherings, accessible paths with benches, picnic areas, a drinking fountain with dog bowl, exercise stations and a play structure for 2 to 5-year-old children. The park contains low level seat wall lighting for the pathways only, which makes it quite dark in the evening time. The play structure is in full sun throughout the summer making the surfaces quite hot for the children to play on. This Project, the second phase of Trolley Park, will provide much needed shade to the play structure and lighting for evening hour usage.
On July 20, 2023, Council approved an On-Call Consultant Services Agreement with GHD, Inc. for architectural and engineering design services on Fresno parks capital improvement projects (Citywide). On December 9, 2024, the Capital Projects Department approved a Task Order with GHD, Inc. for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Project.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on Planet Bids and posted on the City’s website on December 16, 2025. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to forty (40) prospective bidders and posted at three (3) building exchanges. Four (4) electronic bids were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 20, 2026, with bid amounts ranging from $184,097.00 to $273,400.00. The Engineer’s Estimate was $225,820. After the two apparent lowest bidders were determined to be non-responsive due to deficiencies in the bid deposits, Geometric Construction, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $212,936.87. The bids will expire on March 25, 2026. If the bids are rejected or expire, the Project must be rebid which will result in a delay to the Project.
The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract because the engineer’s estimate for this Project was less than $1 million, pursuant to the terms of the PLA.
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222, award a Construction Contract to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Fresno, California, in the amount of $212,936.87, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the standardized Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. The Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project will be funded utilizing Measure P, Expenditure Category 2 Funds.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that a CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) Categorical Exemption is appropriate, which consists of minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible, or no expansion of existing or former use, because the Project proposes to install additional interior perimeter lighting and a shade structure over the existing play equipment.
Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project. Staff recommends that Council, based upon its own independent judgment, adopt the finding of a Categorical Exemption per Staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Geometric Construction, Inc. is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project, which is Phase 2 of Trolley Park, is in Council District 1 and will have no impact to the General Fund. The Project will be funded utilizing Measure P, Expenditure Category 2 Funds.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Standardized Construction Contract
Formal Procurement Evaluation
Vicinity Map
Location Map