REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, 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
JASON P. MILLER, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Barstow and Bond Traffic Signal Project (Bid File No. 12500264) at the intersection of East Barstow Avenue and North Bond Street (Council District 4):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class1 and Section 15302/Class2 for the Barstow and Bond Traffic Signal Project;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,260,917.00 to American Paving, Co. of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class1 and Section 15302/Class2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, award a construction contract in the amount of $1,260,917.00 to American Paving, Co. of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Barstow and Bond Traffic Signal Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Barstow Avenue and Bond Street Traffic Signal Project (Project) will enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection as well as improve traffic operations by implementing a protected pedestrian crossing and left-turning vehicular phasing. Improvements within the Project limits include installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Barstow Avenue and Bond Street, adjacent to Hoover High School. Pedestrian improvements include the reconstruction of several accessible ramps and paths of travel, installation of improved safety lighting, and implementation of full Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) and count-down pedestrian heads with the traffic signal.
The Project is fully funded by federal grants from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding programs with the required local match funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds and Bike and Pedestrian funds.
BACKGROUND
The Barstow Avenue and Bond Street Traffic Signal Project (Project) was initiated in FY23 when the City received federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding. The project was budgeted in the Council adopted FY23 Capital Budget. The design commenced following Council approval and preliminary engineering design, project management, and real estate services took approximately two years.
The Project will be installed at the intersection of East Barstow Avenue and North Bond Street in Council District 4. The Project will provide dedicated phasing to control right-of-way for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles travelling through the intersection. The Project will include the installation of a new traffic signal at the existing unsignalized three-way intersection, including pedestrian countdown heads, Audible Pedestrian Signal (APS), reconstructed curb ramps, slurry seal, safety lighting, median nose reconstruction, bicycle detection, and enhanced bicycle striping. Additionally, installation of wireless communications equipment at the intersection of East Barstow Avenue and North First Street will extend the Traffic Operations Center’s communication capability to the new traffic signal. Construction is anticipated to start in the Spring of 2025.
The infrastructure improvements were designed by the City’s Capital Projects Department, Design Service Division, on behalf of the Public Works Department, and took approximately seventeen (17) months to complete. Acquisition of right-of-way was not required for this project.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on August 9, 2024, posted on the City’s website, and sent to nine (9) building exchanges. Project plans and Specifications were distributed to twenty-six (26) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on September 10, 2024, with bids ranging from $1,225,575.00 to $1,278,422.85. American Paving, Co., of Fresno, CA, with their bid of $1,260,917.00, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid was deemed non-responsive for failing to meet the required Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal and for not providing sufficient Good Faith Effort to support not reaching the goal. The expiration date of the bids is November 14, 2024. If the bids are rejected or expire the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The construction contract (Contract) is for $1,260,917.00 and is fully funded through CRRSAA and STBG grants with required local match funding by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds and Bike and Pedestrian funds. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Staff recommends the City Council award a Contract in the amount of $1,260,917.00 to American Paving, Co. of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Barstow and Bond Traffic Signal Project and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City of Fresno.
This 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 the Contract and Environmental Findings and approved both 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 sidewalk/ramps and reinstall signage and striping. 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 not applicable because this contract uses Federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Barstow Avenue and Bond Street Traffic Signal Project is in Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $1,722,008.70 and is funded by federal grants from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding programs with the required local match funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds and Bike and Pedestrian funds. Of the overall budget, $1,260,917.00 will be allocated for the construction contract award. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved budget, as previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Construction Contract
Environmental Assessment No. PW01002