REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BILLY ALCORN, Interim Fire Chief
Fire Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
L. NATHAN SANCHEZ, Projects Administrator
Public Works Department, Site Development
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the new Fire Station 12 Project (Council District 1)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15332/Class 32 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $78,445 to CVE Demolition Inc., of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Demolition of the 3315 West Ashlan Avenue Building - Bid File 12301188
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15332/Class 32 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and award a construction contract to CVE Demolition Inc., in the amount of $78,445, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for the demolition of the existing building at 3315 West Ashlan Avenue to clear the parcel for construction of the new Fire Station 12, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a standardized construction contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In December 2021, Council approved the purchase of the property located at 3315 West Ashlan Avenue, for the construction of the new Fire Station 12. The property currently has a 7,600 square-foot commercial building. The Fire Department’s initial plan was to remodel the interior space of the existing building and construct a large-span metal building to house several fire apparatus and additional space for storing turnouts, extractors, and other tools. The City entered into an agreement for design and preparation of construction documents with The Taylor Group Architects in April 2022, and upon evaluation of the site and existing structure, it was determined that renovations and additions would not be sufficient for the new Fire Station 12 and that the existing structure should be demolished. Council approval of the construction contract award is recommended in order to facilitate the demolition of the existing on-site building at this location necessary to complete the project.
This construction contract award is for $78,445 and is fully funded through the Station 12 Construction Fund for the demolition phase of the construction project.
BACKGROUND
On December 9, 2021, Council adopted the 36th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2021-178 for the purchase of the 1.95-acre parcel located at 3315 West Ashlan Avenue and design of construction documents for a new, permanent Fire Station 12. Constructed in 1977, the current Fire Station 12 was designed as a residential structure with an extra-large garage attached and houses a single engine company with four personnel. Due to the growth in the northwest portion of Fresno over the past 45 years, the engine company has at times required assistance to emergency responses from units outside of Fire Station 12’s district, which may have resulted in the Fire Department not meeting the four-minute response time goal. As a result, the Fire Department embarked on the project to develop a new, larger Fire Station 12 in close proximity to the current station and successfully located the property at 3315 West Ashan Avenue.
The selected site at 3315 West Ashlan Avenue had been improved with a 7,600 square-foot commercial building, which initially was envisaged to be remodeled and reconfigured to become the new Fire Station 12. In May 2022, the City entered into an agreement for the design and preparation of construction documents with the Taylor Group Architects. Included in the scope of the agreement was the design and estimation of both a remodeled/reconfigured Station 12, and a new-construction Fire Station 12. Upon evaluation of the remodeled and new design layouts, staff determined that the new-construction Fire Station 12 layout would be more suitable to the needs of the Fire Department and the City and Council directed staff to have the existing commercial building demolished to alleviate any vandalism problems. The agreement with The Taylor Group was amended on June 16, 2022 to add the demolition bid package and corresponding oversite to the scope of services.
On October 13, 2022, Council adopted the 12th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2022-154 which re-appropriated $420,000 from the Station 12 Debt Service Fund to the Station 12 Construction Fund for the demolition phase of the construction project.
On December 16, 2022, staff published a Notice Inviting Bids, which was advertised on Planet Bids, The Business Journal, and sent to ten building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to 39 prospective bidders. Ten sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 17, 2023, with bids ranging from $78,445 to $446,000. CVE Demolition Inc. of Fresno, CA, with their bid of $78,445 was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid price was 75% below the Engineer’s Estimate. The expiration date of the bids is April 24, 2023. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 120 days.
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 approval of the construction contract with CVE Demolition Inc. in the amount of $78,445, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorization of the Public Works Director or designee to execute the contract on behalf of the city of Fresno.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the construction contract.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that this project is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15332/Class 32 for In-Fill Development. The project is consistent with the General Plan and zoning; occurs within the city limits on a site less than five acres; contains no habitat for endangered species; would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality; and can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to the project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant or cumulative effect on the environment. The project is not located on a hazardous waste site, a historical resource, or adjacent to a scenic highway. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
CVE Demolition Inc. is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is located in City Council District 1. The proposed demolition contract will have no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this project was approved by Council on October 13, 2022, when the 12th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2022-154 was adopted, which re-appropriated $420,000 from the Station 12 Debt Service Fund to the Station 12 Construction Fund for the demolition phase of the construction project.
Attachment(s):
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Sample Contract
Vicinity Map
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement