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
STEVE DELSID, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Butler Avenue and 8th Street and Orange Avenue and Lowe Avenue Signalization Project - Bid File 12301153 (Councils District 5)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,774,274 to American Paving Company, Fresno, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA guidelines and (2) award a construction contract with American Paving Company of Fresno, California, in the amount of $1,774,274 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Butler Avenue and 8th Street and Orange Avenue and Lowe Avenue Signalization Project will enhance safety for the pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists who travel through these intersections, by constructing traffic signals at both locations with related improvements including accessible ramp upgrades, sidewalk construction, and reconstruction of residential driveways to improve ADA compliance within the city’s right of way. The City acquired right of way from four properties to provide ADA-compliant curb ramps at the intersections. The project is funded by the Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant with local funding through the SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) program.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY20 when the project was budgeted using ATP grant funding and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) revenue; the engineering design, project management, and right of way acquisition took approximately three years. All engineering design, management, and real estate work was performed by city staff.
The scope of the project includes the construction of two new traffic signals; one will signalize the Butler Avenue & the south leg of 8th Street, and the second signal will be installed at Orange Avenue & Lowe Avenue. Both signal installations include protected left-turn phasing and timing for both pedestrian and vehicular movements. This project’s proposed improvements will benefit the students attending Winchell Elementary School, their families, as well as the residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the school. Both signals will enhance the safety for the children and parents who navigate these intersections every school day heading to and from Winchell Elementary. The project will also install 370 feet of sidewalk along both Butler Avenue and 8th Street, reconstruct five curb ramps to improve accessibility along the path of travel, and construct, or reconstruct, five residential drive approaches for the purpose of providing an ADA-compliant path of travel along the sidewalks that front the affected residences. Collectively, these proposed improvements will create a positive impact for all users of the roadway by improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
The acquisition of right of way was necessary to construct ADA-compliant pedestrian facilities at four properties and has since been fully acquired by City staff. Public Woks staff also performed all survey and engineering tasks, including preparation of the construction documents and project management duties.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on July 12, 2023, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to 11 building exchange. The specifications were distributed to 11 prospective bidders. Three (3) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on August 8, 2023, with bids ranging from $1,774,274 to $2,233,716. American Paving Company submitted the apparent low bid of $1,774,274 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Local Preference was not applied as the project is federally funded. The bids will expire on October 11, 2023; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
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 and approved this item as to form.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with American Paving Company in the amount of $1,774,274 for the Butler Avenue and 8th Street and Orange Avenue and Lowe Avenue Project as the low bidder and authorize the Capital Projects 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 and Section15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), consisting of 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 as the structure being replaced. These exemptions apply because this project involves partial reconstruction of traffic signals, construction of HAWKs, and 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 Federal funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
Butler Avenue and 8th Street and Orange Avenue and Lowe Avenue Traffic Signalization Project is located in Council District 5. The overall cost of the project is $2,541,900 and is grant funded by an Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant. Required local match is funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Of the overall project budget, $1,774,274 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