REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 14, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JIM POLSGROVE, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Project Management Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the North Friant Road Overlay between East Shepherd Avenue to East Champlain Drive - Bid File No. 3737 (Council District 6)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption for Environmental Assessment No. P18-03433 per staff’s determination, pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, 15303/Class 3, and 15304/Class 4 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $613,445 to Agee Construction Corp., of Clovis, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, 15303/Class 3, and 15304/Class 4 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, award a construction contract to Agee Construction, Corp., of Clovis, California in the amount of $613,445 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to extend the life of southbound North Friant Road between East Shepherd Avenue and East Champlain Drive with an asphalt overlay. The scope of work will also include the reconstruction of an existing asphalt paved trail access point with a new truncated dome detectable warning device to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, signal loop detectors, signage, striping, and reconstruction of portions of the median island curb. The project is being funded by Federal grant funding through the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP).
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Public Works Department has identified a need for street surface restoration along southbound Friant Road, approximately 0.8 miles, between East Shepherd Avenue and East Champlain Drive. In April of 2016, the City of Fresno applied for RSTP funds for the design and construction phases. The funds were obligated and the project was budgeted in the adopted FY17 Capital Budget by City Council. The design started following the Council approval of the consultant contract with Peters Engineering Group on April 27, 2017. The preliminary engineering design took approximately two years and ten months to complete.
Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Business Journal on February 17, 2020, and posted on the City’s website. Ten building exchanges received Notice Inviting Bids. The specifications were distributed to 36 prospective bidders. Seven sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 17, 2020, with the bids ranging from $613,455 to $919,188. Agee Construction Corp., is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid price was 21.5% below the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on May 20, 2020.
If the bids are rejected, the project will be rebid resulting in a delay of approximately 60 days.
Staff is recommending award of a construction contract to Agee Construction Corp., in the amount of $613,455 to construct southbound North Friant Road Overlay between East Shepherd Avenue and East Champlain Drive and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. City Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines; Sections 15301/Class 1 because the project consist of an overlay of the existing roadway, modifications of curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, installation of traffic signal facilities, crosswalks, signage and pavement striping without increasing its capacity; 15302/Class 2 because the project will include the adjustment of existing valve boxes which will not expand its use beyond that existing at the time of determination; 15303/Class 3 because this project include street improvements consisting of asphalt overlay and will not include new construction of structures; and 15304/Class 4 because this project will include minor excavation of backfilling where the roadway will be restored, which exempts the repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, including existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and no further expansion of an existing use, because the project includes overlay. 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 was not implemented for this project because this contract is federally funded.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council District 6. The overall cost of the project is $886,800 and is 100% federally funded by Regional Surface Transportation Improvement Program (RSTP). The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $613,445 will be used for the construction contract award. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in the current fiscal year budget as previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract
Environmental Assessment No. P18-03433