REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Public Works Manager
Engineering Division, Design Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Improvements at Gettysburg Avenue and Polk Avenue - Bid File 3832 (Council District 1)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class1, Section 15303/Class 3, and Section 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,269,194 to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc. of Clovis, California
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, award a construction contract with Emmett’s Excavation, Inc. of Clovis, California in the amount of $1,269,194 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Improvements at Gettysburg Avenue and Polk Avenue Project, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Improvements at Gettysburg Avenue and Polk Avenue will enhance safety for the motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who travel through this intersection by installing a complete traffic signal system with protected left-turn phasing. Other safety enhancements include a new sidewalk along the north side of Gettysburg Avenue, west of the intersection, upgraded ramps and improved street lighting. This traffic signal serves both the adjacent residents as well as Teague Elementary School and Inspiration Park, both located immediately west of the intersection. Public Works staff also obtained additional right-of-way needed for construction of the sidewalk within the project limits. Funding for this project is through the State of California’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) with local match funding through the SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), local Measure C bike facilities fund, and Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact fees. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
The preliminary engineering phase of the project was initiated in FY20, when the project’s design phase funding was approved by Council action during the November 7, 2019, regular meeting with the New Projects AAR, 9th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2019-133. The preliminary engineering design, project management, and real estate services took approximately one and a half years to complete.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on December 15, 2021, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to 11 building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 25 prospective bidders. Six (6) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 25, 2022, with base bids ranging from $1,173,194 to $1,257,777. Emmett’s Excavation submitted the apparent low bid and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The project included an Additive Alternate (Add. Alt. #1), which was not considered in the low bid selection. The proposed award amount of $1,269,194 represents Emmett’s base bid plus their bid for Add. Alt. #1 ($96,000). The bids will expire on March 30, 2022.
The Community Workforce Agreement (City PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, was not included in this project’s bidding requirements as the construction funding authorization was obtained on July 21, 2021, and the project documents submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for funding approval did not include the City PLA requirements which had not yet been adopted. The Project was also publicly bid prior to the effective date of the City PLA. This project has a construction award deadline of June 2022, as set by CTC. In addition, staff consulted with the building trades who are party to the City PLA, and they concurred with staff’s recommendation to award the construction contract. If Council decides to reject the contract due to the City PLA requirements, there will be a delay of approximately 6 to 9 months, due to the need to get approval from Caltrans and CTC on the use of the City PLA. This delay not only delays the beneficial use of this much needed public improvement, but also may put the Project funds in jeopardy due to the CTC deadline to award a construction contract. Additionally, it has been Public Works’ experience that rebidding electrical projects may also cause significant increases to the award amount based on recent traffic signal projects that have been rebid in the past two years. Staff is currently waiting for Caltrans review process and potential approval of the PLA for use on State and Federal grant-funded projects.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with Emmett’s Excavation in the amount of $1,269,194 for the Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Improvements at Gettysburg Avenue and Polk Avenue 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 performed an environmental assessment of this project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1, which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, Section 15303/Class 3, which consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure, and Section 15303/Class 4 which consists 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. This includes the creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way. These exemptions apply because this project involves the reconstruction of an existing roadway, sidewalks, curb and gutters, accessible ramps, and traffic signal construction 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
The local preference was not implemented because this project is state funded.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Improvements at Gettysburg Avenue and Polk Avenue is located in Council District 1. The overall cost of the project is $1,711,500 and is funded with a State ATP Grant and local match funding from Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fees, SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds, and Local Measure C Bike Facilities funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $1,269,194 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Vicinity Map
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract