REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Design Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project - Bid File 12301630 (Council District 6)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. ***RESOLUTION - 40th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154 appropriating $425,000 for the Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements project (Requires 5 Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
3. Award a construction contract in the amount of $828,450 to Avison Construction, Inc., of Madera, California
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA guidelines, approve the 40th Amendment to Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154, award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $828,450 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project will enhance safety for the motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who travel through this intersection daily by upgrading the existing traffic signal to include protected left-turn phasing as well as correcting existing accessibility deficiencies at the intersection. The scope of work includes the construction of a new traffic signal system that will introduce protected left-turns for the east and westbound traffic on Teague Avenue, removal and replacement of all existing corner ramps at this intersection, cutting back the median noses on Cedar Avenue, installation of a Class II bike lane on the east leg of the intersection, and the addition of green pavement marking within the bike lane to highlight conflict areas. No right of way acquisition was needed for these improvements. The project is primarily funded by local Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fees, with additional local funding from the Measure C Bike Lane Program funds for the bicycle lane improvements.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY23, shortly after City Council approved the budget. The engineering design and project management took one year and was completed by City of Fresno staff.
The scope of the Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project includes the removal and replacement of two main traffic signal poles, cabinet and traffic signal controller equipment at this intersection to provide protected left-turn movements along Teague Avenue. Other technology improvements include installation of a video detection system that will better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, and wireless communication will be extended to the traffic signal at Cedar and Nees to provide the Traffic Operations Center staff with connectivity and communication access to this signal. Other improvements will include reconstruction of all four curb returns, including the ramps, to bring them up to current ADA standards, median noses adjustments on Cedar Avenue to provide pedestrians a direct line of travel across the intersection, installation of Class II bike lanes all the way to the intersection that will also be enhanced with green paint to make conflict areas more visible. The project will also upgrade the crosswalk markings within the intersection to the City’s current high-visibility standard. These proposed improvements will create a positive impact for all roadway users by improving the safety of this intersection for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. No right-of-way acquisition was needed for these improvements. Public Woks staff performed all the engineering design work and prepared the construction documents for the project.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on February 13, 2023, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to 11 building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 24 prospective bidders. Three (3) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 21, 2023, with bids ranging from $828,450 to $1,200,949. Avison Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $828,450 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Local Preference was applied but did not change the determination of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. The bids will expire on May 24, 2023; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this project because the engineer’s estimate for this project was not in excess of one-million dollars, pursuant to the terms of the PLA.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc., in the amount of $828,450 for the Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Public Works 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 standardized contract 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, Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. These exemptions apply because this project involves partial reconstruction of a traffic signal, reconstruction of sidewalks and accessible ramps 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
The bid evaluation process did take Local Preference into consideration, but it did not affect the outcome of the determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Cedar Avenue and Teague Avenue Intersection Improvements Project is located in Council District 6. The overall cost of the project is $1,136,600 and is locally funded with local Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fees and Measure C Bike Lane Program funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $828,450 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachment(s):
CEQA Environmental Assessment
40th Amendment to Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2022-154
Vicinity Map
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract