REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: GUSTAVO RANGEL, ENGINEER II
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,099,923 to Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California for the Southwest Fresno Trail Project. (Bid File No. 12500364) (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a construction contract with Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California in the amount of $2,099,923 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Capital Projects and Public Works Departments seek to award a construction contract for the Southwest Fresno Trail Project. The improvements will construct a Class I Trail, plant trees, install trail lighting and street lighting, along the Fanning Ditch Alignment from West Avenue to Thorne Avenue. The Project is part of the approved Master Grant Agreement (MGA) for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant program with the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) for development and implementation of greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects. This project is funded by the TCC grant.
BACKGROUND
The TCC Grant Program, established by Assembly Bill (AB) 2722 and managed by the SGC, uses Cap-and-Trade funds to support neighborhood-level climate plans that integrate multiple greenhouse gas reduction projects, yielding economic, environmental, and health benefits for disadvantaged communities. The program’s location related approach ensures that these benefits are realized through coordinated climate strategies within specific communities. The City has received $66,500,000 from the TCC Grant Program to develop and implement such projects.
The grant submission, known as the Transform Fresno Plan, involves collaboration with various partners on California Climate Investment projects, including the Southwest Fresno Trail. On February 28, 2019, the City Council approved a $66,500,000 Master Grant Agreement with SGC for these projects. Subsequently, on April 23, 2020, the City Council approved a $1,978,959 Sub-Recipient Agreement with the Department of Public Works for the Southwest Fresno Trail Project and adopted the Southwest Fresno Trail Wildlife Doc. No. E202010000079, Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The Southwest Fresno Trail Project involves the installation of a Class I trail, tree planting, and the addition of trail and street lighting. During the project's development, collaboration with the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) led to an agreement for converting the open channel to an underground pipeline during the off-season. Additionally, property agreements were secured for Right of Way acquisition to ensure continuous progress. Design work commenced following the City Council’s approval of a consultant contract with Sherwood Design Engineers, Inc. of Santa Cruz, California, on December 17, 2021.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on August 30, 2024, and posted on the City’s website. Four sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on October 8, 2024, with bids ranging from $2,099,923 to $2,382,248. Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on December 11, 2024. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid resulting in a delay of approximately 3 months.
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 Southwest Fresno Trail Project to Cal Valley Construction Incorporated, of Fresno, California, in the amount of $2,099,923, 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 construction contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A Mitigated Negative Declaration, Document Number E202010000079, was prepared for the Southwest Fresno Trail Project. The Fresno City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration on April 23, 2020. An Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration was later prepared and adopted by the Fresno City Council on November 16, 2023. The Mitigated Negative Declaration assessed the potential environmental impacts from the design and construction of an approximately 0.8-mile-long Class I trail along the Fanning Ditch alignment between West Avenue and Thorne Avenue in the City of Fresno, County of Fresno, California. This approval seeks to implement a portion for the project by acquiring property necessary to complete the continued trail.
An analysis has been performed pursuant CEQA Guidelines §15162 to determine whether subsequent environmental review is required for this approval. Based upon this analysis, the following findings are made to support the determination that no subsequent environmental review is required:
1. No substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects. In this case, the Southwest Fresno Trail is being implemented as planned. Specifically, this approval proposes acquisition of a piece of property which is a necessary component of the project as assessed.
2. No substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the project was undertaken which will require major revisions of the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration or Addendum due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
3. There is no new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time of the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration showing that:
a. The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration
b. Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration;
c. Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found to be not feasible are now feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project.
Based upon these findings, it has been determined that no further environmental documentation is required for this approval.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable due to the State TCC funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Southwest Fresno Trail Project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $3,834,123 and is funded by the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant. Out of the overall budget, $2,099,923 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved City of Fresno budget. Upon completion, maintenance of the new trail will require resources beyond the capacity of the current trail crew, which will be addressed within the FY2026 operating budget for the Department.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map