REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
BY: francisco V. magos II, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
KIMBERLY ALVARADO VEGA, Engineer II
Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project (Bid File 12600042) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and section 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00328, for the Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $629,766.17 to Rakkar Development and Construction, of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00328, (2) award a construction contract to Rakkar Development and Construction, of Fresno, California, in the amount of $629,766.17 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project (Project), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Capital Projects Department seeks to award a construction contract to Rakkar Development and Construction following a competitive bidding process which identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $629,766.17. The project will improve Bigby Villa Park to enhance the park guest experience, safety, and accessibility. The scope of work includes installation of new park benches, waste receptacles, a shade sail structure, ADA-deepened concrete playground curb and concrete edge, removal and replacement of the existing play structure with a new play structure, removal and replacement of existing wood mulch surfacing with poured-in-place rubber surface subgrade, and accessibility improvements. The construction contract will be funded using Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations from Measure P and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
BACKGROUND
Bigby Villa Park is located on the northeast corner of East Florence Avenue and South Bardell Avenue. The design was initiated through a consultant agreement with O’Dell Engineering Inc., on May 3, 2023, for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Project. Improvements at Bigby Villa Park include installation of new park benches, waste receptacles, a shade sail structure, an ADA-compliant deepened concrete edge, removal and replacement of the existing play structure with a new play structure, removal and replacement of existing wood mulch surfacing with poured-in-place rubber surface subgrade, and accessibility improvements.
A Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Business Journal, Planet Bids, and posted on the City’s website on August 1, 2025. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to 63 prospective bidders and posted at six (6) building exchanges. Seven (7) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on September 3, 2025, with bid amounts ranging from $629,766.17 to $788,525.00. Rakkar Development and Construction was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $629,766.17. The bids will expire on November 6, 2025. If the bids are rejected or expire, the Project must be rebid which will result in a delay to the Project.
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 Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class1 and 15302/Class 2 of the CEQA Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00328, award a construction contract to Rakkar Development and Construction in the amount of $629,766.17, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. The construction contract will be funded using FY 2026 appropriations from Measure P and CDBG funds administered by HUD.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the contract documents as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this Project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 because the Project includes minor alterations to existing facilities and shall replace existing structures and facilities with new structures located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity and within Section 15302/Class 2 because the Project consist of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assessment was completed and determination made that the project was Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(1) because this is a facility improvement project with no new proposed construction.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Rakkar Development and Construction is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Bigby Villa Park Improvements Project is in Council District 3 and will have no impact on the General Fund. The Project will be funded utilizing Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations from Measure P and CDBG funds administered by HUD.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Formal Procurement Evaluation Form
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map
Location Map