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
JESUS AVITIA, PE Deputy City Engineer
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the amount of $57,683.82 for the installation of a new service connection to power the proposed Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard intersection as part of the Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project (Council District 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in the amount of $57,683.82 for the installation of a new service connection to power the proposed Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard intersection as part of the Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project will complete construction of Veterans Boulevard, widen Hayes Avenue, and realign Herndon Avenue to create two new signalized intersections at Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard and at Hayes Avenue and Veterans Boulevard. In addition, the project will modify existing traffic signals at the existing Herndon Avenue and Hayes Avenue Intersection. The proposed agreement with PG&E is for PG&E to provide the necessary electrical service connection to power the traffic signals and streetlights being installed as part of the Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project. The subject agreement is fully funded by local Measure C funding allocated to the Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project.
BACKGROUND
Veterans Boulevard, originally referred to as the Herndon-Grantland Diagonal, was originally part of the 1984 General Plan and is now a planned six-lane super arterial in the 2035 General Plan. In recent years, staff has completed the Project Study Report (PSR), Project Report and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and progressed the design of the various phases of Veterans Boulevard from Shaw Avenue to Herndon Avenue with the help of Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) and Fresno Council of Governments (FCOG) with the funding for completing the final design and right-of-way acquisition. The Project proposes a new partial cloverleaf interchange connecting State Route 99 and Veterans Boulevard. The new roadway will have six travel lanes, a Class I bicycle lane/pedestrian trail on one side and Class II bicycle lanes on both sides. The project will include three bridge structures, one to cross over State Route 99, one to cross over future Golden State Boulevard and one to cross over the existing UPRR tracks and the future HSR tracks.
The first phase of the Veterans Boulevard Project, the Bullard Extension package, which was funded by the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), was opened to traffic on September 24, 2019. The Veterans Boulevard Grade Separation Project, which is also funded by the CHSRA, was the second phase of the overall project and is under construction as of May 21, 2020. The Veterans Boulevard South Extension Project, which is referred to as Phase 4a, was the third phase of the overall project and is under construction as of November 23, 2021. Phase 3, the Veterans Boulevard/State Route 99 Interchange was awarded on November 4, 2021, and construction is anticipated to start in February 2022. The Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project, Phase 4b, completes construction of Veterans Boulevard, widens Hayes Avenue, and realigns Herndon Avenue to create two new signalized intersections at Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard Intersection and the Hayes Avenue and Veterans Boulevard intersection. In addition, the Project will modify existing traffic signals at the Herndon Avenue and Hayes Avenue Intersection.
City staff has coordinated with PG&E on the necessary utility relocations and new electrical services needed for the Project. The primary location for the electrical needs is the intersection of Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard, where the traffic signal facilities are proposed and where most of the streetlight runs originate. Due to the distant proximity to the nearest electrical source, PG&E determined that they would need to extend the electrical distribution facilities in order to provide the needed service. The attached agreement was developed following an extensive design that was coordinated between PG&E and the City.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an agreement with PG&E in the amount of $57,683.82 for the installation of a new service connection to power the proposed Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard intersection as part of the Veterans Boulevard North Extension Project and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The California Department of Transportation, as Lead Agency, prepared an EIR for the Veterans Boulevard/State Route 99 Interchange Project/Veterans Boulevard Grade Separation Project, identified by SCH No. 2010021054 (the “Veterans Boulevard EIR”). The Veterans Boulevard EIR was certified on June 16, 2013, and analyzed several components of the Veterans Boulevard Project, including but not limited to a new interchange at State Route 99 and Veterans Boulevard, grade separated crossings to connect Veterans Boulevard and Golden State Boulevard, the construction of Veterans Boulevard as a six-lane super arterial from West Shaw to Herndon Avenues, drainage basins, and landscaping. A resolution will be brought forward for each phase of the Project at the time of the award of a construction contract for the City Council to adopt the findings related to the specific phase.
A CEQA resolution for the Veterans Boulevard North Extension project will be brought for adoption with the construction contract award.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because PG&E will perform the work on their own facilities and this agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract by the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Veterans Boulevard Project is located in Council District 2 and will have no impact to the General Fund. This electrical service connection is being fully funded by local Measure “C” funding.
Attachment:
Utility Agreement
Vicinity Map