REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Interim Director
Capital Projects Department
SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Scott p. sehm, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
STEVE DELSID, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer
Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an invoice from AT&T in the amount of $115,207.63 as the balance due for City-requested relocation of telecommunication facilities in connection with the Fresno Street Corridor Improvement Project. (Council Districts 3, 4, 6, and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve payment of a final invoice from AT&T in the amount of $115,207.63 for City-requested telecommunications facilities relocation and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to approve payment of the invoice on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The construction contract for the Fresno Street Corridor Improvements Project was awarded by the Council May 11, 2023. This project is a pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety and accessibility improvement project affecting multiple intersections along the Fresno Street Corridor, from B Street to Friant Road. As part of this project, a new HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK) pedestrian signal is being constructed at the intersection of Fresno Street and San Jose Avenue. The HAWK installation necessitated the relocation of AT&T telecommunication facilities. An initial payment of $85,315.81 was approved by Council action on October 13, 2022. Upon completion of their work, AT&T submitted a final, second invoice dated April 29, 2024 in the amount of $115,207.63 for materials, labor, and overhead costs above and beyond the original estimate and fee payment. Funds are available within the project budget for these AT&T relocation expenses, through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant that was awarded to the City of Fresno and SB1 gas tax matching funds.
BACKGROUND
The construction contract for the Fresno Corridor Improvements Project included corridor-wide transportation safety improvements. The project was initiated when Public Works staff submitted a grant application package for the 2018 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) call for projects and was ultimately selected for funding. The HSIP grant application included a Council Resolution of Support to authorize the application. The project includes pedestrian improvements such as countdown-style pedestrian signal indications, intersection lighting enhancements, striping and signage improvements, two traffic signal modifications to add protected left-turn phasing at two existing signals (Fresno and Clinton, Fresno and R Street) and construction two new pedestrian signals, known as Hybrid Active crossWalKs, or “HAWKs”, which will allow pedestrians to more safely cross previously unsignalized intersections.
Associated with the construction of a HAWK at Fresno Street and San Jose Avenue, staff determined during the engineering design phase that the proposed improvements required the relocation of an AT&T utility vault. AT&T’s engineering team made an initial evaluation of the work needed for this relocation and provided staff a preliminary estimate for $85,315.81 which was approved by Council action on October 13, 2022. This relocation work commenced in the Spring of 2023 and was completed later in the year.
Staff received a final invoice from AT&T, pursuant to the terms and conditions of their standard contract, dated April 29, 2024, in the amount of $115,207.63 for labor, materials, and overhead costs above and beyond their initial engineer’s estimate. Staff has reviewed the invoice and recommends Council approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
On October 21, 2022, Council adopted a finding that the Fresno Corridor Improvements Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15303/Class 3 of the CEQA Guidelines. A Notice of Exemption for Environmental Assessment (EA) No. P20-01297 was filed with the Fresno County Clerk.
The proposed action does not modify the work to be performed as part of this project. Instead, it authorizes the Department to pay AT&T for the increased cost of the previously approved work. In this way, this approval is encompassed in the previously adopted CEQA determination, and no further environmental assessment pursuant to CEQA is required.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council Districts 3, 4, 6, 7. The project funding included a Federal HSIP grant award and local matching funds provided through SB1 gas tax revenues. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
PW00882 AT&T Utility Relocation Invoice dated April 29, 2024
PW00882 Vicinity Map