REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
GUSTAVO RANGEL, Project Manager
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Tuolumne Diverter Demolition and Pedestrian Improvement Project (Bid File No. 12600293): (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $958,110.50 to Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, 15303/Class 3, and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and award a construction contract with Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California in the amount of $958,110.50 as the lowest and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to award a construction contract for the Tuolumne Diverter Demolition and Pedestrian Improvement Project. This project will reconstruct sidewalks along the south side of Tuolumne Street, between Broadway Street and Van Ness Avenue as well as approximately 220 feet of sidewalk along the west side of Van Ness Avenue, south of Tuolumne Street. Other work includes the installation of streetlights, new on-street parking, street trees, and ADA compliant curb ramps. The project will also involve relocation of storm drainage facilities and demolition of the old Tuolumne Diverter Road between Fulton Street and Van Ness Avenue and extend Federal Alley northerly where it will connect to Tuolumne Street. The improvements are part of the urban grid and pedestrian network within the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan area. The project is funded with Infill Infrastructure Grant - Catalytic Qualifying Infill Area program award funds (IIGC), Downtown Revitalization (Go-Biz), and Local Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities funds.
BACKGROUND
On September 28, 2023, Council adopted a resolution to authorize the City Manager to accept IIGC program award funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) which allowed the City to participate in the IIGC program and fund the catalytic capital improvements projects that will support necessary infrastructure in Downtown Fresno. The Tuolumne Diverter Demolition and Pedestrian Improvement Project will reconstruct sidewalks along the south side of Tuolumne Street, between Broadway Street and Van Ness Avenue as well as approximately 220 feet of sidewalk along the west side of Van Ness Avenue, south of Tuolumne Street. Other work includes the installation of streetlights, new on-street parking, street trees, and ADA compliant curb ramps. The project will also involve relocation of storm drainage facilities and demolition of the old Tuolumne Diverter Road between Fulton Street and Van Ness Avenue and extend Federal Alley northerly where it will connect to Tuolumne Street. Storm drainage facilities work, demolition of the Tuolumne diverter road, and reconstruction of Federal Alley will prepare the parcel at the southwest corner of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Aveue for future work. The diverter road will be vacated by city staff after all street work is completed. This project was designed and managed by the Capital Projects Department. Design work commenced in October 2024 and took approximately 10 months to complete.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on August 8, 2025, and posted on the City’s website. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on September 9, 2025, with bids ranging from $958,110.50 to $996,939.20. Cal Valley Construction Inc., of Fresno, CA was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a Base Bid of $832,890.50 and Additive Alternates 1 and 2 for a total construction contract amount of $958,110.50. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on November 12, 2025. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 days.
Staff recommends the City Council award a construction contract to Cal Valley Construction Inc. in the amount of $958,110.50 to construct the Tuolumne Diverter Demolition and Pedestrian Improvement Project, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
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.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in the CEQA guidelines, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) because the project is proposing to make improvements to existing public facilities to reconstruct sidewalks, curb and gutters, replace street lights, and install curb ramps to meet ADA regulations. The proposed street improvements are minor, do not constitute an expansion of use, and will improve the public right of way without increasing road capacity. 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.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is not applicable due to State of California funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Street Work at Tuolumne from Broadway to Van Ness Project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $1,367,636.55 and is funded with the Infill Infrastructure Grant - Catalytic Qualifying Infill Area program award funds (IIGC), Downtown Revitalization (Go-Biz), and Local Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $958,110.50 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in the adopted fiscal year budget for the Capital Projects Department.
Attachments:
Standardized Contract
Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map