REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager
Interim Director - Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Public Works Director
Department of Public Works
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
ANDREW J. GUTHRIE, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Ashlan and Shields Avenues Countdown Pedestrian Head Upgrade Project - Bid File 12501082 (Council Districts 1, 4, & 7):
1. Adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01066, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $151,655.00 to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC of Alviso, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01066, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class1, award a construction contract in the amount of $151,655.00 to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC of Alviso, California, as the lowest responsible and responsive bidder for the Ashlan and Shields Avenues Countdown Pedestrian Head Upgrade Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A grant was awarded to the City of Fresno in 2023 through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Ashlan and Shields Avenues Countdown Pedestrian Head Upgrade Project. The Preliminary Engineering phase approved in the Fall of 2023. The proposed project will remove and replace existing pedestrian signal heads at many of the signalized intersections along Ashlan Avenue, from Valentine Avenue to Peach Avenue, and along Shields Avenue, from Blackstone Avenue to Fowler Avenue. The proposed work includes the removal of existing, non-countdown pedestrian heads at twenty (20) intersections along both corridors which will then be replaced with countdown pedestrian heads to enhance pedestrian safety. The installed height of all existing and proposed countdown pedestrian heads within the two corridors will be adjusted as necessary for American Disability Act (ADA) compliance. Staff recommends the Council adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01066 and award a construction contract to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC, in the amount of $151,655.00. This project is grant funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) with the required local match funded by the SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA). There will be no impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
The Ashlan and Shields Avenues Pedestrian Countdown Head Upgrade Project was initiated when the City received HSIP funding to replace countdown pedestrian signal heads at a total of twenty (20) intersections along Ashlan Avenue, from Valentine Avenue to Peach Avenue, and along Shields Avenue, from Blackstone Avenue to Fowler Avenue. Funding was included in the Department of Public Works’ FY 2025 capital budget. Preliminary engineering work commenced in the Fall of 2024 and took six months to complete.
When constructed, the project will enhance safety at twenty (20) existing signalized intersections by providing clear notice to pedestrians when the pedestrian walk phase begins and includes a countdown timer so pedestrians will know how much time is remaining in the walk phase of the traffic signal for them to fully clear the roadway before the pedestrian walk phase ends. In addition to upgrading all non-countdown heads to countdown pedestrian signal heads, the installed heights of all existing and proposed countdown pedestrian signal heads will be adjusted to provide adequate clearance for accessibility in accordance with current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.
The preliminary engineering survey and design work was completed by the Capital Projects Department and took approximately six (6) months to complete. No right-of-way was needed for this Project.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on December 19, 2024, posted on the City’s website, and sent to eight (8) building exchanges. Specifications were distributed to fourteen (14) prospective bidders. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 21, 2025, with bids ranging from $151,655.00 to $252,000.00. Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC of Alviso, California, with a bid of $151,655.00, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is March 26, 2025. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
Staff recommends the Council award a construction contract to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC, in the amount of $151,655.00 for the Ashlan and Shields Avenues Pedestrian Countdown Heads Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign on behalf of the City .
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.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Environmental Assessment and Standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed an environmental assessment of this project and determined it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 (Minor alteration to existing facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Therefore, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference is not applicable due to State of California funding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Ashlan & Shields Ped Countdown Heads project is located in Council Districts 1, 3,4, and 7. The overall cost of the project is $222,590 and is funded with a grant from the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The local match required is funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Out of the overall budget, $151,655 will be allocated for the construction contract award. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved budget, as previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. PW01066
Standardized Construction Contract
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map