REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 8, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
FROM: TIM GROH, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the street improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues - Bid File 3392 (Council District 5)
1. Adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines for the street improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues
2. Award a Construction Contract with AJ Excavation Inc. of Fresno, California in the amount of $289,473 for the street improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues project
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines and award a construction contract with AJ Excavation Inc. of Fresno, California in the amount of $289,473 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Street Improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues project and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a the contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The street improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues project will remove the existing AC paving and reconstruct the street section with new base material and AC paving. The project will also remove ten (10) curb ramps and reconstruct them to current ADA standards. This project will improve safety and the overall quality of life for local residents and students who access Fresno Pacific University. This project is part of the adopted Neighborhood Street Improvement Program and is primarily funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
BACKGROUND
Townsend and Heaton Avenues are local streets that are directly adjacent to Fresno Pacific University. Both streets are used not only by residents of the neighborhood but students attending Fresno Pacific University and have deteriorated to a point that they are beyond rehabilitation. Curb ramps within the project area do not meet current ADA standards and may be difficult to navigate. The proposed street improvement project will reconstruct the street paving section and the adjacent curb ramps, improving safety, accessibility and improving overall quality of life.
Staff prepared bid documents with a scope that included asphalt street construction and concrete work on East Townsend Avenue between South Winery and South Willow Avenues and East Heaton Avenue between South Garden and South Willow Avenues.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on August 7, 2015, and posted on the City’s website and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to thirty four (34) prospective bidders. Six (6) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on September 1, 2015. Bids ranged from $289,473 to $367,339. AJ Excavation, Inc. which submitted the bid in the amount of $289,473 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 November 4, 2015.
Staff is recommending that the Council award a construction contract with AJ Excavation, Inc. of Fresno, California in the amount of $289,473 for the Street Improvements for Campus Homesites Neighborhood, Townsend and Heaton Avenues 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 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) Class 1 which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This exemption applies because this project involves the resurfacing of an existing roadway and does not involve the expansion of the roadway to accommodate additional traffic. The purpose of the project is to increase the life of the pavement and provide a smooth riding surface for the motorists. 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 funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $415,673 and is funded by $320,816 CDBG funds and $94,857 by Proposition 111 Gas Tax funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget of the project, $289,473 will be used for the construction contract award.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map