REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager
Interim 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
VICTOR VALDEZ, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Bid File No. 12502162) on North Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to East McKinley Avenue (Council District 7):
1. Adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01072, dated February 26, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,862,880 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for installation of infrastructure improvements relating to the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Bid File No. 12502162).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01072, dated February 26, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2, (2) Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,862,880 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, CA, as part of the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project on North Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to East McKinley Avenue (Council District 7), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno is proposing to rehabilitate the paving and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the segment of Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to just south of McKinley Avenue, where this project’s proposed paving work will tie into paving work recently completed by the Department of Public Works. Work proposed with this project includes grind and overlay of the asphaltic concrete pavement to extend the service life of the roadway and the project will restripe the travel lanes to include new Class IV protected bikeways. Pedestrian improvements include new and replacement sidewalks, high-visibility crosswalk striping and new ADA-compliant ramps at numerous locations within the project limits. Additionally, the project will signalize the intersection of North Peach Avenue and East Lamona Avenue, modify the existing traffic signals at the intersections of North Peach Avenue and East Clay Avenue, Olive Avenue, SR180 westbound ramps, and McKinley Avenue. Other work includes replacement of damaged curb and gutter and valley gutters, rehabilitation of the existing FAX bus stop south of East Lamona Avenue, replacement of traffic signal loops at affected signalized intersections, and adjustment of water valves and manhole lids to match the new pavement grades.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, CA, in the amount of $2,862,880 as part of the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project on North Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to East McKinley Avenue (Council District 7).
The Project is fully funded by the Measure C Regional Tier 1 with the required local match funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Measure C Bike Facilities funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno (City) received Measure C funding in February 2024 for the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Project) to construct infrastructure improvements on North Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to East McKinley Avenue (Council District 7) to enhance safety and provide updated bicycle and pedestrian facilities that serve residents and businesses along the corridor, as well as students attending Turner Elementary School.
The Project will support the City’s Complete Streets goals by installing infrastructure improvements along this segment of North Peach Avenue that includes pavement grind and overlay with new striping and signage that will provide 3,850± linear feet of Class IV protected bikeways throughout the limits of the project. Other roadway work includes the installation of new and replacement of curb and gutter, replacement of existing traffic signal loops, and adjustment of water valves and manhole lids to grade. Pedestrian improvements include new sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and pedestrian crossing upgrades. The existing FAX bus stop south of East Lamona Avenue will also be rehabilitated.
Additionally, the project will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of North Peach Avenue and East Lamona Avenue and make improvements to existing traffic signals within the project’s limits, as follows: the signal at Peach Avenue and SR 180 (westbound ramps) will be improved with count-down pedestrian heads and existing pedestrian push buttons (PPBs) will be replaced with Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS); at the intersection of Peach Avenue and Clay Avenue, the existing signal operation will be modified to include an all-pedestrian phase (Ped Scramble) including video detection, all pedestrian heads will be upgraded to countdown heads, PPBs will be upgraded to APS, and a new equipment cabinet and a wireless ITS connectivity will also be installed; the signal at Peach Avenue and Olive Avenue will receive upgraded countdown pedestrian heads and APS, video detection and wireless ITS connectivity; new ITS wireless equipment will be added to the signal at Peach Avenue and McKinley Avenue. Construction is anticipated to start later this year.
The infrastructure improvements were designed, and plans and specifications prepared, by the Capital Projects Department (CPD) for the Department of Public Works; the preliminary engineering phase took approximately one year to complete. No additional right-of-way was required for this project.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on April 25, 2025, and posted on the City’s Website. Project plans and specifications were distributed to forty-five (45) prospective bidders. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on May 28, 2025, with bids ranging from $2,862,880 to $3,135,201. Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, CA, with their bid of $2,862,880, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is July 31, 2025. If bids are rejected or expire the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The total project cost is $4,032,900 and is fully funded by Measure C Regional Tier 1 with the required local match funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Measure C Bike Facilities funds.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01072, dated February 26, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class1 and Section 15302/Class2, award a construction contract in the amount of $2,862,880 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, CA, as part of the North Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project on North Peach Avenue from State Route 180 to East McKinley Avenue (Council District 7), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The 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 Contract and CEQA determination as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and determined it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 (Minor alteration to existing facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities), which exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity.
The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because the project is proposing to make improvements to existing asphalt pavement, install curb ramps to meet ADA requirements, and reinstall signage and striping to include a Class IV bicycle facility. The proposed improvements are minor, do not constitute an expansion of use, and will improve the public right-of-way 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 because 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.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is applicable to this Contract award, however Avison Construction, Inc. is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Peach Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation State Route 180 to Mckinley Avenue Project is located in Council District 7. The overall cost of the project is $4,032,900 and is funded by the Measure C Regional Tier 1 program. The required local match is funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Measure C Bike Facilities funds. Of the overall budget, $2,862,880 will be allocated for the construction contract award and all funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved budget, as previously adopted by the Council. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Environmental Assessment No. PW00928
Standardized Construction Contract
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement