REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 19, 2016
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
BY: JOVI R. TORIO, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno Street (from “B” Street to Divisadero Street) and Van Ness Avenue (from Ventura Street to Divisadero Street) Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Traffic Signals Synchronization Project - Bid File 3447 (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines for the Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue ITS Traffic Signals Synchronization Project
2. Award a Construction Contract to Kertel Communications, Inc. dba Sebastian of Fresno, California (Sebastian) in the amount of $1,108,755 for construction of the Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue ITS Project
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, and award a construction contract with Sebastian in the amount of $1,108,755 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue ITS Project and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a the contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue ITS project will interconnect the traffic signal controllers along Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue to synchronize traffic signals along the corridors. This project will result in an efficient responsive coordinated system, improving safety, operations and energy conservation while reducing emissions.
BACKGROUND
Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue are major downtown corridors that connect to State Route 99, State Route 180 and State Route 41. These corridors funnel traffic to and from downtown streets as well as provide access to downtown businesses within the City of Fresno. The signalized intersections along the two (2) downtown corridors, Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue operate independently, reducing the efficiency of the corridors and contributing to congestion and higher emissions during the peak hours. The proposed ITS Project will install fiber and wireless communication and interconnect the traffic signal controllers for an efficient responsive coordination system while reducing emissions.
Public Works staff prepared general construction documents for Fresno Street (from “B” Street to Divisadero Street) and Van Ness Avenue (from Ventura Street to Divisadero Street) ITS project.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on February 29, 2016, and posted on the City’s website and faxed to five (5) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to thirty eight (38) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on April 5, 2016, with the bids ranging from $1,108,755 to $1,279,581. Sebastian submitted the bid in the amount of $1,108,755 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire in 64 days from the bid opening date on April 5, 2016.
Staff is recommending that the Council award a construction contract to Sebastian in the amount of $1,108,755 for the Fresno Street (from “B” Street to Divisadero Street) and Van Ness Avenue (from Ventura Street to Divisadero Street) ITS Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the Public Works 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(c) (existing facilities) which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of an existing facility. This exemption applies because this project involves improving efficiency of an existing roadway through coordinating the operation of existing traffic signals to reduce congestion without expansion of the roadway. The project will install fiber cable in existing conduits; will install traffic signal controllers in existing cabinets; will install wiring in existing signal conduits and cabinets, will install wireless communication antennae on existing signal poles and will install communication equipment in existing cabinet as required. Staff determined under the CEQA Guidelines this project fits within the definition of existing facilities in Section 15301(c) Class 1, as Categorically Exempt from further CEQA review. 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 local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $1,576,275 and is funded by $1,482,575 in CMAQ Federal grant funds and $93,700 in Proposition 111 Special Gas Tax matching funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget of the project, $1,219,630 (including contingency) will be used for the construction contract award.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract