REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 17, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, TE, Director
Public Works Department
TRHOUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, TE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
BY: STEVE DELSID, PE, TE, Assistant Traffic Engineering Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Cooperate Agreement with the County of Fresno for a maximum City contribution of $78,500 to construct a traffic signal at the intersection of Shaw and Grantland Avenues (Council Districts 1 and 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council take the following actions:
1. Approve a Cooperative Agreement with the County of Fresno for improvements at the intersection of Shaw and Grantland Avenues.
2. Authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute the Cooperative Agreement on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff has developed a cooperative agreement with the County of Fresno for an improvement project at the intersection of Shaw and Grantland Avenues. The project will consist of widening the intersection to install exclusive left turn lanes for all legs and the installation of a traffic signal. The County desires to move forward with the project and will be the lead agency for the design, bidding, awarding and contract administration. City staff has been involved throughout the life of the project, including the initial scoping and all plan reviews. The project will largely be funded through a grant awarded to the County through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), with matching funds coming from the County’s Road fund and the City’s Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact (TSMI) fee program. The Maximum City contribution is specified at $78,500 and the County expects to start construction in early 2016.
BACKGROUND
The County of Fresno Department of Public Works and Planning has been planning a joint project with the City of Fresno to improvement the intersection of Shaw and Grantland Avenues. Twenty-five percent of the intersection is currently within City limits, specifically the northeast corner, and the entire intersection is within the City’s sphere of influence. The project will widen Shaw and Grantland Avenues enough to install 300 foot exclusive left turn lanes on Shaw Avenue, and 150 foot exclusive left turn lanes on Grantland Avenue. This intersection is currently ranked number one on the Citywide priority ranking list to install a traffic signal. The intersection currently is controlled by stop signs on all legs in anticipation of a traffic signal. The County is the lead agency for the design, bidding, award and contract administration. City staff will review and approve engineered construction plans and be responsible for the issuance of street work permits, applicable field inspections, and acceptance of County construction improvements.
The project will be largely funded by a Federal HSIP grant awarded to the County of Fresno. The grant will fund most of the engineering, construction and inspection services. The County of Fresno, being the lead agency, has obtained the grant and will be responsible for all project administration. City staff involvement will be limited to conveying City’s share of the project’s cost, approving the street and traffic signal plans, issuing permits and inspecting the construction performed under the street work permit. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $919,186. The grant will not completely fund the improvements and will require the local agencies to provide a local match of contributing dollars. Considering the project lies 75% in County and 25% in the City, the local agencies’ contributing dollars are anticipated to be $214,000 and $71,300, respectively. The difference in dollars from the requested Maximum City contribution of $78,500 and anticipated contribution of $71,300 contribution come from the 10% addition, if needed, as stipulated in the cooperative agreement.
The County of Fresno is finalizing the Plans and Specifications for the project and intents to advertise to bidders in the spring of 2016. Construction is anticipated to start in May 2016.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The County of Fresno has performed an environmental assessment for this project and by its Environmental Review No. 6805, the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines under Section 15301, Class 1 (c) existing facilities, and Section 15303 (d), new construction or conversation of small structures.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not Applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
No General Fund dollars will be used to fund this $919,186 project, which is located in Council Districts 1 and 2. The City’s funding of up to $78,500 will be provided through the TSMI program. The necessary City funding for the project is included in the 2016 Fiscal Year capital budget previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Cooperative Agreement
Exhibit A
Vicinity Map