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
BRANDON CHACON, Capital Development Specialist
Public Works Department, Transportation Project Management
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Jensen Avenue Overlay Project between Cornelia Avenue and Chateau Fresno Avenue - Bid File No. 3788 (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,945,049.12 to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., of Clovis, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, (2) award a construction contract with Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., of Clovis, California, in the amount of $2,945,049.12, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to improve Jensen Avenue between Cornelia Avenue and Chateau Fresno Avenue with roadway restoration and striping. Awarding a construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation Inc., in the amount of $2,945,049.12, will extend the life of the road and improve driveability. The project is fully funded with federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Public Works Department has identified a need for roadway restoration along Jensen Avenue between Cornelia Avenue and Chateau Fresno Avenue. The project scope includes a full depth reclamation (FDR) with cement treatment in conjunction with the pavement overlay in order to provide a stronger pavement section and improved pavement design life. This segment of Jensen Avenue has a shared jurisdictional split of 64% City and 36% County of Fresno. This Jensen Avenue project, and another County-led project between Fig and Fruit Avenue, are being evaluated together for the appropriate jurisdictional cost shares, consistent with the City-County Master Street Agreement that was previously approved by the Council. City staff has coordinated the proposed improvements with the County of Fresno staff. The design started following the City Council approval of the consultant contract with Peter’s Engineering Group, on June 21, 2018.
The roadway restoration project is federally funded with STBG funding. The City of Fresno received construction authorization and approval of the project plans, specifications and estimates from Caltrans prior to the City Council adopting the Community Workforce Agreement (PLA) for Public Works Projects. Staff recommends that Council award the construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation Inc. without the City PLA. The Department of Public Works and the City Attorney’s Office consulted with the building trades who are party to the PLA, and they concurred with staff’s recommendation to award the construction contract in this situation. If Council decides to reject the contract due to the PLA requirements, there will be a delay of approximately 6 to 9 months without certainty that Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration will approve the use of the PLA. This not only delays the beneficial use of this much needed public improvement, but also may put the Project funds in jeopardy due to the time lapse between authorization of construction funding and award of a contract.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on February 2, 2022, posted on the City’s website, and was sent via fax to ten building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to twenty-two prospective bidders. Nine sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on April 5, 2022, with the bids ranging from $2,813,240.67 to $3,479,399.00. The lowest apparent bidder was deemed non-responsive. Emmett’s Excavation Inc. is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire on June 8, 2022, 64 days after the bid opening.
Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation. Inc., in the amount of $2,945,049.12 to construct the roadway improvements along Jensen Avenue between Cornelia Avenue and Chateau Fresno Avenue, 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. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of the project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA guidelines, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) because the project includes negligible or no expansion of an existing use including reconstruction of existing pavements. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented for this project because this contract is federally funded.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Jensen Avenue Overlay project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $3,651,700 and is fully funded with Federal STBG grant funding. Of the overall budget of the project, $2,945,049.12 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. EA-PW00786
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map