REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: HENRY THOMPSON, A.A.E., C.A.E., IAP, Director of Aviation
Airports Department
BY: ELODIA CAVAZOS, Acoustical Program Coordinator
Airports Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport SMART Program Bid File No. 12302377 (Council District 4)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (a) and (b) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $794,000.00 to S&L Specialty Construction, of Syracuse, New York for the acoustic treatment of 17 homes in the vicinity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and award a construction contract to S&L Specialty Construction, of Syracuse, New York, in the amount of $794,000.00 for the acoustic treatment of 17 homes in the vicinity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The FAT Residential Sound Insulation Program is part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved 14 CFR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program that provides funding to reduce interior noise levels in homes located within a designated noise impacted area around FAT. This ongoing effort, locally known as the SMART Program, provides acoustic windows, doors and other noise reducing measures to eligible homes in the vicinity of FAT. Award of this contract represents the Department’s continuing commitment to improve the quality of life for residents living near FAT.
BACKGROUND
The Airports Department (Department) has acoustically treated 1,309 homes since inception of the SMART Program in 1994. The Program is available to property owners of single-family residences located within a 65 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) boundary around FAT as determined by a FAA approved Noise Exposure Map (NEM). The 65 CNEL is established through a FAA noise modeling program that considers several factors, including: (i) noise monitoring around the airport, (ii) types of aircraft using FAT, and, (iii) frequency and time of flights. The FAA requires the NEM to be periodically updated. This involves public input and was most recently completed in 2018.
Plans and specifications were prepared by CSDA Design Group to provide acoustic treatment for 20 homes. A Notice Inviting Bids was advertised in the Business Journal on October 6, 2023 and posted on the Department’s website and Planet Bids with 8 Builders’ Exchanges and 15 prospective bidders receiving the Project plans and specifications. Three bids were received and opened by telephone and video conferencing on November 7, 2023, ranging from $917,000 to $1,483,021.80.
The lowest responsible and responsive bid from S&L Specialty Construction in the amount of $917,000 is 8.8% above the engineer’s estimate ($842,739.34). The project budget enables the Department to recommend award to S&L Specialty Construction in the amount of 794,000.00 which is the total net base bid amount for 10 homes plus 7 Additive Alternates, for total of 17 homes. The staff determination was posted on the City website on January 18, 2024, The FAA concurs with this recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this Project and has determined that it falls within the Class 1 Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15301(a) and (d) (Existing Facilities), as this contract involves minor alterations of existing private structures with no expansion of use and would not result in any significant negative effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project. The SMART Program has been assessed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) resulting in a finding of no significant impact.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented on this project due to bidding/contracting conditions of the Federal grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this Project is provided by FAA Airport Improvement Program grant funds and is included in the FY 2021 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund or City of Fresno ratepayers from this action.
Attachments:
Site Map
Evaluation of Bid Proposals
Bid Tabulation