REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2021
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department, Design Services Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Traffic Signal Upgrade Project at Tulare Street and U Street - Bid File No. 3784 (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c)(13), Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $464,126 to Bush Engineering, Inc., of Hanford, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption, per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, award a construction contract to Bush Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $464,126 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Traffic Signal Upgrade Project at Tulare Street and U Street, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City is proposing a traffic signal upgrade project which will provide protected left-turns for eastbound and westbound traffic on Tulare Street at U Street. The project will improve safety at the intersection for both pedestrians and drivers, while enhancing vehicular capacity. This intersection serves local businesses on U Street to the north and provides access to south-bound State Route 41 with the on-ramp positioned as the south leg of the intersection. This intersection meets signal warrants for protected left-turns. The project funding is through SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) in accordance with the adopted FY21 budget.
BACKGROUND
The intersection of Tulare Street and U Street has been analyzed by the Traffic Operations and Planning Division who determined this location to be the number two priority on the city’s “Warranted Left-Turn Signals” priority ranking list. This engineering analysis includes intersection accident reports and current traffic counts to quantify the potential benefits of a left-turn phasing signal modification project as compared to other intersections throughout the city. The report, updated annually and presented to Council, was last revised in February of 2020.
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY19, when the City Council approved a list of projects to receive SB1 RMRA funding. The project was designed by the Department of Public Works staff and took approximately 15 months to complete.
The scope of work includes a complete traffic signal modification with the addition of vehicle protected left turn phasing, new detector loops, traffic signal poles, and traffic signal conduit. Also included are ADA-compliant curb ramp improvements.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was then published in the Fresno Business Journal on January 15, 2021, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to twenty-four (24) prospective bidders. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 2, 2021; bids are $565,826 and $615,972 for the net base bid and add alternate. Bush Engineering, Inc. of Hanford, CA, with their net base bid of $464,126, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is May 5, 2021. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Staff is recommending award of a construction contract to Bush Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $464,126 to construct the Traffic Signal Upgrade at the intersection of Tulare Street and U Street, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed an environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c)(13) (existing facilities), which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, which includes existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and no further expansion of existing use, because the project includes the modification of an existing traffic signal facility, crosswalks, ADA curb access ramps, signage and pavement striping. 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 project funding is through SB1 RMRA and considered locally funded. The City’s local preference adjustment was not implemented as the apparent lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Bush Engineering, Inc., of Hanford, CA, has a branch office located within the City of Fresno and therefore meets the requirements for a local business per the FMC.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is located within Council District 3 and will have no impact on the General Fund. The overall cost of the project is $641,767 and is locally funded by SB1 RMRA. Of the total project cost, $464,126 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 City Council.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract
CEQA Notice of Exemption