REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, 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
STEVE DELSID, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Kid’s Crossing Traffic Signal Improvements Project at Amador and Trinity and Church and Waldby Avenues - Bid File 12401496 (Council Districts 3 and 5):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,599,935 to Avison Construction, Inc., of Madera, California.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and (2) award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc of Madera, California in the amount of $1,599,935 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Kid’s Crossing Traffic Signal Improvements Project at Amador and Trinity and Church and Waldby Avenues, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Kid’s Crossing Traffic Signal Improvements Project at Amador and Trinity and Church and Waldby Avenues will enhance the safety of both intersections for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists who use these intersections every day by signalizing both locations with complete traffic signal installations, including left-turn phasing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant audible pedestrian systems (APS) with count-down heads, accessible ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks at both locations. Right-of-way acquisition, necessary for pedestrian infrastructure improvements, was completed by City staff. This project is funded by a State grant from the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY23 when the project was budgeted using ATP grant funding and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) revenue; the engineering design, project management, and right-of-way acquisition took approximately three years. All engineering design, management, and real estate work was performed by city staff.
The scope of the project includes the construction of two new traffic signals, one will signalize the intersection of Amador Avenue and Trinity Avenue in Council District 3, and the second signal will be installed at Church Avenue and Waldby Avenue in Council District 5. Both signal installations include protected left-turn phasing with timing for both pedestrian and vehicular movements. The infrastructure improvements proposed by this project will benefit the students attending Columbia and Storey Elementary Schools and their families, as well as the residents of the neighborhoods surrounding both schools. The signal work will enhance safety for the children and parents who navigate these intersections as they travel to and from the schools by creating a separate pedestrian phase for safely crossing the roadways and installing improved intersection safety lighting and high-visibility crosswalks for enhanced pedestrian visibility. Other project amenities include an audible pedestrian system (APS) to assist visually impaired users, as well as countdown pedestrian indication heads to make those using the crosswalks aware of the crossing time remaining. The intersection of Amador and Trinity will also benefit from the installation of a video detection system, selected for safety due to the skewed orientation of the intersection. In addition to the traffic signals, the project will reconstruct nine curb ramps to improve accessibility along the path of travel and provide an ADA-compliant path of travel through the intersections. Collectively, these proposed improvements will create a positive impact for all users of the roadway by improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
The acquisition of right-of-way was necessary to construct pedestrian facilities at one corner near Amador Avenue and Trinity Avenue which has since been fully acquired by City staff. Staff from the Public Works and Capital Projects Departments also performed all survey and engineering tasks, including preparation of the construction documents and project management duties.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on March 25, 2024, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to 6 building exchange. The specifications were distributed to 35 prospective bidders. Two (2) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on April 30, 2024, with bids of $1,599,935 and $1,855,554. Avison Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $1,599,935 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Local Preference is not applicable due to State of California funding requirements. The bids will expire on July 3, 2024; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result 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.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the standardized construction contract as to form.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc., in the amount of $1,599,935 for the Kid’s Crossing Traffic Signal Improvements Project at Amador and Trinity and Church and Waldby Avenues as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
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, Section 15301/Class 1, which exempts the minor alterations of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This exemption applies because this project involves the reconstruction of an existing roadway, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and traffic signal construction that does not involve the expansion 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 State of California funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Kid’s Crossing Traffic Signal Improvements Project at Amador and Trinity and Church and Waldby Avenues is located in Council Districts 3 and 5. The overall cost of the project is $2,254,935 and is funded by a state grant from the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Of the total project cost, $1,599,935 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. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Standardized Contract
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map