REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 28, 2014
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
STEVEN C. SON, PE, Capital Projects Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Project Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Herndon Avenue Widening from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue, Bid File No. 3271 (Council District 2)
1. Approve a common use agreement between the City of Fresno and the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) for the installation of a multipurpose trail
2. Award a construction contract to Emmett's Excavation Inc., of Fresno, California in the amount of $1,689,986 for the construction of Herndon Avenue widening from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Fresno City Council approve a common use agreement between the City of Fresno and FID, award a construction contract to Emmett's Excavation Inc., of Fresno California for the widening of Herndon Avenue from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue and authorize the Public Works Director or his designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed project consists of widening Herndon Avenue to a six lane expressway between Brawley Avenue and Valentine Avenue thereby relieving congestion and reducing delays. The project will construct an additional travel lane in both the east and westbound directions, upgrade the existing traffic signal facilities, add landscaping and construct a multi-purpose trail with barrier fence along the south side of Herndon Avenue. To facilitate Herndon Avenue widening and construction of the multi-purpose trail, staff has negotiated a common use agreement with FID. This agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
BACKGROUND
In recent years the City of Fresno has experienced rapid growth causing an increase in the number of congestion problems throughout the City. Per the City's 2025 General Plan, Herndon Avenue is to be widened to six lanes from State Route 99 to Willow Avenue. The City has been widening Herndon Avenue as funding becomes available. The Measure 'C' Regional Transportation Program includes Project K-5b to widen Herndon Avenue from four lanes to six lanes from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue. To maximize the Measure 'C' funds, staff applied for and received Federal Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds. On August 25, 2011, Council approved a consultant agreement with Provost and Pritchard Engineering Group Inc. to prepare the plans and specifications for the project.
Construction documents and specifications were prepared and a Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on June 20, 2014, and posted on the City's website. Advertising efforts resulted in the participation of thirteen Prime prospective bidders. Ultimately, nine sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on July 22, 2014, with the bids ranging from $1,689,986 to $2,093,523.
Emmett's Excavation Inc., of Fresno California, submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $1,689,986 and is considered the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Staff recommends award of a construction contract to Emmett's Excavation Inc. in the amount of $1,689,986 to widen Herndon Avenue from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue and to authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
An environmental assessment has already been completed for this project and no further assessment is necessary. The City previously prepared an Initial Study and determined that this is a subsequent project fully within the scope of the Master Environmental Impact Report No. 10130/SCH No. 2001071097 prepared for the 2025 Fresno General Plan ("MEIR") and Mitigated Negative Declaration No. A-09-02/SCH No. 2009051016 ("Air Quality MND"). A Finding of Conformity was adopted by Council on February 28, 2013.
An analysis has been performed pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15162 to determine whether subsequent environmental review is required for this project. Based upon this analysis, no subsequent environmental review is required as:
1. No substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the Finding of Conformity due to the involvement of new significant effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
2. No substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstance under which the project is undertaken which will require major revision of the Finding of Conformity due to the involvement of new significant environmental effect or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
3. There is no new information which was not known and could not have been known at the time of the Finding of Conformity that was not discussed in that document.
As such, no further environmental analysis is required for this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project will not impact the General Fund. The project is being funded by Measure 'C' and Federal Regional Surface Transportation Program funding. The total cost for the project is $2,951,400 of which $1,689,986 will be used for the construction contract.
Attachments: Vicinity Map
Agreement for Common Use of Easements
Evaluation of Bid Proposals
Fiscal Impact Statement