REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director
Department of Transportation
BY: SHELLE O’BRIEN, Project Manager
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) CNG Station Concrete Pad Replacement project:
1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. 25-565, dated April 28, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2.
2. Approve a construction contract in the amount of $249,019.00 with Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc. a California corporation, for construction services to replace the concrete vehicle landing pad at the public CNG station located in the Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus yard. (Bid file no. 12500720)
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign and execute all related documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. 25-565, dated April 28, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.
2. Approve a construction contract in the amount of $249,019.00 with Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc. a California corporation, for construction services to replace the concrete vehicle landing pad at the public CNG station located in the Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus yard. (Bid file no. 12500720)
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign and execute all related documents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation/FAX (FAX) seeks to award a contract for construction services to replace the existing concrete layover pad at the public CNG fueling station located at the FAX bus yard. The existing concrete landing pad is severely deteriorated and poses numerous safety concerns to both personnel and equipment from FAX and outside vendors that utilize the fueling station. FAX’s fueling station supports critical public sanitation and transportation efforts internal and external to the City of Fresno. It is vital that this repair be conducted in order to avoid an extended closure of the fuel site in the event of an unexpected failure of the landing pad that would inhibit the operations of these entities.
BACKGROUND
The Department of Transportation/FAX (FAX) seeks to award a contract for construction services to replace the existing concrete layover pad at the public CNG fueling station located at the FAX bus yard. The existing concrete landing pad is severely deteriorated and poses numerous safety concerns to both personnel and equipment from FAX and outside vendors that utilize the fueling station. FAX’s fueling station supports critical public sanitation and transportation efforts internal and external to the City of Fresno. It is vital that this repair be conducted in order to avoid an extended closure of the fuel site in the event of an unexpected failure of the landing pad that would inhibit the operations of these entities.
FAX’s CNG fueling station is the preferred fueling station for the Fresno region and sees an estimated 147 public and City fleet vehicles daily. FAX intends to replace the existing concrete pad with a new reinforced concrete pad of extended length and width that will ensure continuity of service for this volume of heavy vehicle traffic well into the future.
Should Council not approve a construction contract, the existing failed concrete layover pad will continue to deteriorate. Waiting to experience a more serious failure of the surface will result in an extended length of time that the CNG station is out of service due to having to restart the procurement and contract award process. This delay could mean the fuel site is closed to the public for upwards of six to nine months while the award process is conducted and the work is ultimately carried out. Under the expected terms of this award, FAX has allowed for a project time of only eighty-one (81) calendar days.
The Department of Transportation worked with City of Fresno Purchasing Department to post a Notice Inviting Bids on PlanetBids on February 7, 2025. The invitation for bids (IFB) was also posted on the City’s website, advertised in local community groups and construction organizations, and in Mass Transit Magazine as well as the Central California Builders Exchange. Eight (8) bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 18, 2025. Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder after the application of local preference. The bids will expire on July 31, 2025. FAX has performed an analysis of Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc’s bid and determined it to be fair and reasonable, having fallen within 5.3888% range of the cost estimate of $263,900. Therefore, staff recommends Council approve a construction contract in the amount of $249,019 with Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc. to perform construction services for this project.
The City Attorney has reviewed the contract and approved it as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of the proposed project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302(c)/Class 2. Specifically, the project meets the criteria of Section 15301(b) (existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities) and Section 15301(d) (restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety), as it involves the replacement of an existing deteriorated concrete layover pad at the FAX bus yard fueling station.
The project is consistent with Section 15301/Class 1 because it involves the rehabilitation of an existing structure that has deteriorated to a point requiring repairs to maintain public health and safety standards. Additionally, Section 15302(c)/Class 2 applies as the project consists of replacing an existing facility with substantially the same capacity and purpose, without expanding the facility's use.
Based on staff analysis, it has been determined that no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was considered and did affect the outcome of the bid. After the local preference adjustment was calculated, Dave Christian Construction Co. Inc., a local contractor, was the lowest, responsive bidder.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The project budget includes State of California SB1 State of Good Repair funds. Local match funds will be comprised of FAX Enterprise funds, as needed. Appropriations were included and are available in the FAX FY2025 budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Environmental Assessment No. 25-565
Standard Contract