REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager
Interim Director - Capital Projects Department
Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
FAISAL BAGUNAID, Engineer I
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Herndon Avenue Overlay Project from Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue (Bid File No. 12500898) (Council District 2):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award a construction contract amount not to exceed $992,655 to Avison Construction, Inc, of Madera, California, for the Herndon Overlay Project.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council (1) Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, (2) Award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc, of Madera, California, in the amount of $992,655.00 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Herndon Avenue Overlay Project, Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue, 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 (City) seeks to award a construction contract in the amount of $992,655 to Avison Construction, Inc. for the Herndon Avenue Overlay Project from Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue (Project). Due to the poor condition of the existing pavement and with the goal of extending the lifespan of major streets through street surface restoration, the Council authorized staff to apply for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and approved SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds as local match funding to fully cover the Project costs. The scope of work for this Project includes full-depth pavement reconstruction for a portion of the eastbound travel lanes with the remainder of the paving receiving a grind and overlay process to restore the integrity of the roadway within the Project limits. Other work includes full restriping of the roadway, signage improvements, and reconstruction of existing curb ramps at three corners of the Marks Avenue intersection. The proposed work will extend the service life of the pavement and enhance the safety and comfort of both the vehicular roadway and pedestrian facilities along this segment of Herndon Avenue.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Public Works Department has identified the need for pavement rehabilitation through full-depth reconstruction and grind and overlay along Herndon Avenue from Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue (Project). In September 2021, the City of Fresno (City) applied for Federal STBG funds for the design and construction of the Herndon Avenue Overlay Project. The affected segment of Herndon Avenue, approximately 0.35 miles in length, requires significant pavement restoration work to extend the service life of the roadway and improve the roadway surface. To accomplish this, the Project will fully reconstruct the asphalt structural section within the eastbound travel lanes, from the median curbing extending into the center of the eastbound roadway. The balance of the eastbound paving and the entire westbound roadway, as well as the Valentine Avenue and Marks Avenue intersections, will receive a grind and overlay process. Associated work includes restriping within the roadway and intersections, which will match the existing striping configuration, replacement of damaged or missing signage, and reinstallation of vehicle detection loops within the areas of pavement work. Additionally, three corners of the Herndon Avenue and Marks Avenue intersection will receive new pedestrian ramps to ensure those locations are brought into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Upon completion, this Project will extend the service life of the roadway and enhance the safety and comfort of the vehicle travel way and pedestrian facilities within the project limits.
With the STBG funding approved in December 2022, the City allocated local match funding using SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds and authorized the Capital Projects Department to proceed with the preliminary engineering phase. Upon completion of the consultant selection process, the City Council approved a Consultant Agreement (Agreement) with BKF Engineers in the amount of $140,465, with a $17,000 contingency, at the November 16, 2023 Council hearing for the engineering design and construction document preparation services required for the Project. Topographic survey and engineering design work commenced shortly after approval of the Agreement and BKF completed the design and submitted final Construction Documents to the City on January 23, 2025.
The Notice Inviting Bids for construction was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s website on February 26, 2025. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on April 8, 2025 with bids ranging from $992,655.00 to $1,347,000.00. With a bid of $992,655.00, Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on June 11, 2025. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 days.
This contract is covered by the Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021. The Contractor shall become signatory to the PLA by executing the Agreement To Be Bound.
Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract for the Herndon Avenue Overlay Project from Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $992,655.00 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 the CEQA determination and standardized construction contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involve negligible or no expansion of an existing use. The proposed project is consistent with the provisions of a Class 1 Categorical Exemption because it is limited to the rehabilitation of existing pavement and replacement of failed roadway segments along a 0.35 mile segment of an existing roadway and the construction of associated roadway improvements and would not increase the number of vehicle travel lanes or the capacity of the roadway. 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 the Federal funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Herndon Avenue Overlay from Valentine Avenue to Marks Avenue project is primarily funded by a Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), with the local match funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) appropriations. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in the adopted FY2025 budget for the Public Works Department.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. PW01003
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map