REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: JESUS AVITIA, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
GARINE KENDOYAN, Engineer II
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Shaw Avenue Lighting Project (Bid File No. 12302722) (Council District 4):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per consultant determination, pursuant to Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $649,865 to Power Design Electric of Kingsburg, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and (2) award a construction contract with Power Design Electric of Kingsburg, California in the amount of $649,865 as the lowest responsive 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 Shaw Avenue Lighting project will improve lighting and visibility along the north side of Shaw Avenue from Cedar Avenue to Chestnut Avenue by installing LED fixtures and replacing existing wooden poles with steel poles. Awarding a construction contract for this project will allow the proposed improvements to be constructed which will enhance visibility for both vehicles and pedestrians. This project is funded with Federal funds through the Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program, administered through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Public Works Department, in coordination with Fresno State, has identified a need for the Shaw Avenue Streetlight Project which will improve lighting and visibility along the north side of Shaw Avenue from Cedar Avenue to Chestnut Avenue. This will be accomplished by undergrounding electrical conduits, adding new steel poles with LED luminaries, and replacing existing wooden poles with steel poles and LED luminaires that meet current standards. Fixture luminaires that illuminate both street and sidewalk will also be installed to enhance visibility for vehicles and pedestrians. In May 2020, the City of Fresno applied for and was awarded the Federal STBG grant for the design and construction phases of the project. In November 2020, the City received authorization to proceed with preliminary engineering. The design started following the City Council approval of the consultant contract with Peter’s Engineering on July 22, 2022 and was completed on June 21, 2023.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on July 5, 2023 and posted on the City’s website. Three sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on August 1, 2023, with bids ranging from $649,865 to $934,000. Power Design Electric, Inc. of Kingsburg, California is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on October 4, 2023. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid resulting in a delay of approximately 3 months.
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 is recommending the award of a construction contract for the Shaw Avenue Streetlight Project to Power Design Electric, Inc. of Kingsburg, California in the amount of $649,865, 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 City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved this item as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project was determined to be Categorically Exempt under Section 15302/ Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines because the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. The proposed project includes replacement and improvement of existing streetlights and associated infrastructure within existing developed areas along Shaw Avenue in order to improve visibility. The project improvements would not increase capacity and the project would not result in potentially significant environmental impacts associated with its location, cumulative impacts, scenic resources, hazardous waste sites, historical resources, energy demand, or otherwise have the potential to result in a significant effect.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented for this project due to it being funded through a Federal STBG program, which precludes local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Shaw Avenue Lighting Project from Cedar Avenue to Chestnut Avenue is located in Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $884,400 and is fully funded by a grant from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG). Of the overall budget of the project, $649,865 will be used for the construction contract award. All funds required for the contract award are included in the current fiscal year budget, as previously adopted by the Council and the project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Standardized Contract
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map