REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: francisco V. magos II, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
PATRICIA DIEP, Project Manager
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Upgrade Reclamation Well Power Poles 15KV Line Separation at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility Project (Bid File 12401459) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, 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 $181,818.50 to A-C Electric Company, of Bakersfield, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and (2) award a construction contract to A-C Electric Company in the amount of $181,818.50 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Upgrade of Reclamation Well Power Poles 15 KV Line Separation at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility Project (Project) and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The existing reclamation well power poles with a 15 KV line at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) is not in compliance with today’s standards for avian protection which has negative impacts on wildlife and the RWRF power distribution system. Staff seeks to upgrade the existing power poles at the RWRF to have the proper spacing and protect the power distribution system from unplanned outages. Staff recommends Council approve the award of a construction contract in the amount of $181,818.50 to A-C Electric Company of Bakersfield, California. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund.
BACKGROUND
The RWRF has over fifteen (15) miles of medium voltage overhead power distribution lines used to power reclamation wells that deliver reclaimed water to the Fresno Irrigation District canals. The overhead power distribution system meanders through the 1,700 acres of ponding basins at the RWRF. This overhead power distribution system was designed and installed in the 1970’s and does not meet today’s standards for avian protection. The RWRF has had issues for many years with the power line configuration and avian entanglement causing power outages and impacting reliable water exportation. The Wastewater Management Division has tried many types of modifications and power line insulation protection to rectify this issue but continues to experience unplanned outages as a result. The current Project will consist of installing 8-foot wood cross arms on 115 power poles to separate the power conductors that replicate Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) avian protection standards. This will not only help in protecting the avian population but will also ensure reliability.
Following the preparation of project plans and specifications, a Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Fresno Business Journal, Planet Bids, and posted on the City’s website on February 2, 2024. Specifications were distributed to twenty-nine (29) prospective bidders and posted at eight (8) Building Exchanges. Six (6) sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on March 12, 2024, all of which were considered responsive and responsible. The bid proposals ranged from $181,818.50 to $444,764.10. A-C Electric Company was identified as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a submitted bid amount of $181,818.50. The expiration date of the bids is May 5, 2024. If the bids are rejected or expire, the Project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 120 days.
Staff recommends City Council award a construction contract to A-C Electric Company in the amount of $181,818.50 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all associated documents on behalf of the City. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund.
The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract because the engineer’s estimate for the construction contract 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 contract documents as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment for this Project and determined that it falls within Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines because the project will only replace and upgrade parts of the existing power poles at the RWRF to bring the power poles to replicate PG&E avian protection standards and will not expand or change the existing use of the power poles. Furthermore, 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 implemented according to Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108. A-C Electric Company, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, is a local business with an office located in Fresno.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Upgrade Reclamation Well Power Poles 15KV Line Separation at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility Project has no impact to the General Fund and is located in Council District 3. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Sample Contract
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Location Map