REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: francisco V. magos II, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, On-Site Project Management Division
L. NATHAN SANCHEZ, Projects Administrator
Capital Projects Department, On-Site Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Rebid Project, Bid File 12601981: (Council District 1)
1. Adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222;
2. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $206,226.87 to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Rebid Project.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council (1) adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222, (2) award a Construction Contract in the amount of $206,226.87 to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Rebid Project (Project), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the standardized Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Capital Projects Department seeks to award a Construction Contract to Geometric Construction, Inc. following a competitive bidding process which identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $206,226.87, after local preference is applied. The Project will add much needed interior perimeter lighting to the park, eliminating dark spots and providing for a safer environment for park guests. The new shade structure will lower the temperature on the play equipment during the hot summer months, making for a more enjoyable experience for the users. The Construction Contract will be funded utilizing Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations from Measure P, Expenditure Category 2.
BACKGROUND
Trolley Park is a 0.36-acre neighborhood park which was constructed in early 2024. Phase One of the Project included the development of a central community green space and plaza for gatherings, accessible paths with benches, picnic areas, a drinking fountain with dog bowl, exercise stations and a play structure for 2 to 5-year-old children. The park contains low level seat wall lighting for the pathways only, which makes it dark in the evening time. The play structure is in full sun throughout the summer making the surfaces hot for the children to play on. This Project, Phase Two of Trolley Park, will provide much needed shade to the play structure and lighting for evening hour usage.
On July 20, 2023, Council approved an On-Call Consultant Services Agreement with GHD, Inc. for architectural and engineering design services on Fresno parks capital improvement projects (Citywide). On December 9, 2024, the Capital Projects Department approved a Task Order with GHD, Inc. for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Project.
The Project was originally advertised on December 16, 2025, and bids opened on January 20, 2026. Staff recommended Council reject all bids to allow for re-evaluation of the plans and specifications. On April 9, 2026, Council approved the rejection of bids and directed staff to immediately repackage and readvertise. Additionally, staff were asked to investigate other procurement methods to quickly construct the shade structure scope of work. Staff investigated four different procurement methods, including the existing readvertisement and award recommendation before Council today. The second option included removing the shade structure scope and utilizing a sole source piggyback procurement method. This would have resulted in the need to repackage and readvertise the plans and specifications to remove the shade structure bid item and identify the shade structure as owner furnished, contractor installed. When investigating the durations and the need to manage two separate contracts, it was determined this option did not save time from the existing option. A third option was to modify the existing play structure and add a shade element to it. Upon reviewing the proposed shade element from the play structure manufacturer, it would not have provided the necessary shade to allow for the same amount of coverage as the currently proposed shade structure. The fourth option was to investigate urgent necessity for quickly procuring a shade structure. After review with the City Attorney’s Office, it was determined the factual analysis and justification of urgent necessity is weak and therefore could be subject to challenge. Upon review of the various options, it was determined the existing readvertisement and award before Council today allows for the most expeditious method to quickly construct the project. Staff will work with the awarded contractor to begin the process of approval and procurement of long lead items as soon as possible after award.
For the readvertisement, a Notice Inviting Bids was published on Planet Bids and posted on the City’s website on April 9, 2026. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to twenty-nine (29) prospective bidders and posted at three (3) building exchanges. Four (4) electronic bids were received and opened in a public bid opening on April 23, 2026, with bid amounts ranging from $197,070.80 to $214,272.00. The Engineer’s Estimate was $225,820. Local preference was implemented and Geometric Construction, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $206,226.87. The bids will expire on June 26, 2026. If the bids are rejected or expire, the Project must be rebid which will result in a delay to the Project.
The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract because the engineer’s estimate for this Project was less than $1 million, pursuant to the terms of the PLA.
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00222, award a Construction Contract to Geometric Construction, Inc. of Clovis, California, in the amount of $206,226.87, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, after local preference is applied, for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the standardized Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. The Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project will be funded utilizing Measure P, Expenditure Category 2 Funds.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that a CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) Categorical Exemption is appropriate, which consists of minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible, or no expansion of existing or former use, because the Project proposes to install additional interior perimeter lighting and a shade structure over the existing play equipment.
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. Staff recommends that Council, based upon its own independent judgment, adopt the finding of a Categorical Exemption per Staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines for the Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Section 4-108(d) of the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) states the City shall extend a 5% local preference in the evaluation of competitive bids. Geometric Construction, Inc. is local in accordance with FMC 4-108(d), thus the 5% local preference is applied to Geometric Construction, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure Project, which is Phase 2 of Trolley Park, is in Council District 1 and will have no impact to the General Fund. The Project will be funded utilizing Measure P, Expenditure Category 2 Funds.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Standardized Construction Contract
Formal Procurement Evaluation
Vicinity Map
Location Map