REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Fresno Street and Browning Avenue Intersection Improvements Project - Bid File 12301325 (Council District 4)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2, and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $816,000 to St. Francis Electric, LLC., of San Leandro, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), and 15304/Class 4 (Minor Alterations) of the CEQA guidelines, award a construction contract with St. Francis Electric, LLC, of San Leandro, California in the amount of $816,000 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 proposed Fresno Street and Browning Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project will enhance safety for the motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who travel through this intersection every day by signalizing the existing intersection, as well as correcting accessibility deficiencies. The scope of work includes the construction of a new traffic signal system that will provide a protected crossing for pedestrians, reconstruct existing ramps to make them ADA-compliant, and install green paint to highlight the bicycle conflict zones. Right-of-way was acquired by city staff for relocation of existing utilities adjacent to the area of construction. The project is funded by a federal Active Transportation Program grant and local SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno Street and Browning Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project was originally advertised in February of this year and two bids were received and opened. However, both bidders were determined to be nonresponsive, and the bids were rejected at the May 11, 2023, Council hearing. As directed by Council, Public Works and Purchasing staff worked promptly to readvertise the project.
This Active Transportation Program grant-funded project was first proposed in order to improve safety for pedestrians including the students, parents, and staff from Robinson Elementary School, as well as residents of the apartments fronting Fresno Street who cross at Browning Avenue, using the existing unsignalized painted crosswalk. The intersection had previously met traffic signal warrants for pedestrians based upon the proximity of the elementary school. The design phase of the project was initiated in the spring of 2020, shortly after the California Transportation Commission (CTC) authorized the funding for the project. The preliminary engineering design and right-of-way acquisition took approximately three years and was completed by City of Fresno staff.
The scope of the project at Fresno Street and Browning Avenue includes the installation of the traffic signal to control vehicular and pedestrian movements, upgrading of pedestrian facilities to meet current accessibility requirements, placement of green paint at bikeways conflict areas for greater visibility, installation of high-visibility crosswalk markings and improved street lighting. These improvements will create a positive impact for all roadway users by improving the overall safety of this intersection.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on June 5, 2023, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to six (6) building exchange. The specifications were distributed to 20 prospective bidders. Three (3) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on July 11, 2023, with bids amounts ranging from $816,000 to $913,440. St. Francis Electric, LLC., submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $816,000 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Local Preference was not applied due to the stipulations of the project’s funding. The bids will expire on September 13, 2023; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The Project Labor Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this project because the engineer’s estimate for this project was less than $1 million, pursuant to the terms of the PLA.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the standard construction contract as to form.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with St. Francis Electric, LLC., in the amount of $816,000, for the Fresno Street and Browning Avenue Intersection Improvements Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and 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/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 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 Section15304/Class 4 (Minor Alterations), for projects involving minor alterations to land, consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. These exemptions apply because this project involves partial reconstruction of a traffic signal, reconstruction of sidewalks and accessible ramps that does not involve the expansion of the roadway. 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
Local Preference is not applicable due to the project being Federally funded.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Fresno Street and Browning Avenue Traffic Signal project is located within Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $1,245,540 and is grant funded by a federal Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant with SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds being utilized for the required local match. Of the overall budget of the project, $816,000 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachment(s):
Vicinity Map
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract