REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Public Works Director
Department of Public Works
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
TAMERA CLARKE, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the First Street and Dovewood Lane High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Project - Bid File 12600263 (Council District 4):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $585,107.01 to Power Design Electric, of Kingsburg, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, (2) award a construction contract in the amount of $585,107.01 to Power Design Electric, of Kingsburg, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the First Street and Dovewood Lane High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed mid-block High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) construction project on First Street at Dovewood Lane will provide pedestrians with a signalized crossing location immediately adjacent to Hoover High School. The project will also reconstruct two existing curb returns to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility. Staff recommends the Council adopt the finding of Categorical Exemption and award a construction contract to Power Design Electric, in the amount of $585,107.01. The project is fully locally funded through Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds and Local Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility funds and will not impact the general fund.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) construction project at First Street and Dovewood Lane (Project) was initiated in FY24 when the project was budgeted using SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Local Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility funds. Topographic survey, engineering design, project management, and real estate services were completed in-house by Capital Projects Department staff and took two years to finish.
The scope of the project includes the installation of a mid-block HAWK pedestrian signal on First Street at Dovewood Lane, directly adjacent to the western boundary of Hoover High School at a location where students have been known to cross First Street unprotected. The improvements also include enhanced safety lighting at both the First Street and Dovewood Lane crossings to improve the visibility of pedestrians during the evening and early morning hours. Minor modifications to the existing median islands will allow for ADA-compliant pedestrian passage and curb return improvements and minor striping modifications are also part of the project. These improvements will create a positive impact for both students and residents adjacent to Hoover High School. A small amount of right-of-way was required along Hoover High School’s frontage along First Street to accommodate placement of the HAWK signal equipment and construct the accessible ramp. Fresno Unified School District approved this dedication at their regular board meeting in November 2025 and the dedication was recorded in December.
Hoover High School administration is aware of the project and will be invited to participate in the pre-construction meeting. The construction schedule, along with any updates, will be communicated to the school administration, and they will be included in all progress discussions. Additionally, the project specifications require the contractor to maintain close communication with the school administration throughout construction to ensure they are informed of any potential impacts to student access during the construction phase.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on Planet Bids on December 16, 2025, and sent to four (4) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to 31 prospective bidders. Five (5) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 20, 2026, with bids ranging from $585,107.01 to $804,700.00. The expiration date of the bids is March 25, 2026. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The total cost of the project is $955,100.00, including all design and construction administration costs, funded by the SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Local Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility funds. The project will have no impact on the General Fund.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, and award a construction contract to Power Design Electric, in the amount of $585,107.01 for the First Street and Dovewood Lane HAWK Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved both the Environmental Assessment and Standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed an environmental assessment of this project and determined it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 which exempts minor alterations to existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. An example includes transit improvements such as pedestrian crossings that do not create additional automobile lanes.
The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 exemptions because the project involves the construction of a HAWK pedestrian traffic signal with crosswalk, minor median modification, curb return improvements, and minor striping modifications. The proposed improvements are minor, do not constitute an expansion of use, and will improve public safety (pedestrians) without increasing road capacity. The proposed project involves negligible expansion of the existing use and will have substantially the same purpose.
Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Therefore, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is not applicable due to State of California funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The HAWK Signal Improvements for First Street and Dovewood Lane Project is located in Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $955,100. The project is locally funded by SB1 RMRA funds and Local Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility funds. Out of the overall budget, $585,107.01 will be allocated for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact on the General Fund. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved City of Fresno budget.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment PW01047
Standardized Contract
Procurement Evaluation & Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map