REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 30, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
BY: JOVI TORIO, PE, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Willow Avenue Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Traffic Signals Synchronization Project from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue - Bid File 3371 (Council Districts 4, 6, City of Clovis and Fresno County)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 Class 1 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines for the Willow Avenue ITS Project from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue
2. Award a Construction Contract with Kertel Communications, Inc. dba Sebastian of Fresno, California in the amount of $950,750 for the Willow Avenue ITS Project from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 Class 1 (c) of the CEQA Guidelines, and award a construction contract with Kertel Communications, Inc. dba Sebastian of Fresno, California in the amount of $950,750 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Willow Avenue ITS Project from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a the contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Willow Avenue traffic signals synchronization project will install fiber communication system to interconnect the traffic signal controllers along Willow Avenue to synchronize the corridor. This project will result in an efficient, responsive coordinated system, improving safety, operations, energy conservation and effective capacity of the Willow Avenue corridor, while reducing emissions and improving overall quality of life.
BACKGROUND
Willow Avenue is a major north-south arterial corridor that connects to Diagonal Chestnut, Shaw Avenue, Bullard Avenue and Herndon Avenue. This corridor funnels traffic to and from major arterials and State Route 168 as well as provides access to local businesses within the City of Fresno and City of Clovis. The signalized intersections along Willow Avenue operate independently, reducing the efficiency of the corridor and contributing to congestion and higher emissions during the peak hours. The proposed ITS Project will install fiber communication and interconnect the traffic signal controllers for an efficient traffic responsive coordination system, improving safety, operations, energy conservation and effective capacity of the corridor while reducing emissions and improving overall quality of life.
Staff prepared bid documents with a scope that included a fiber communication system, state-of-the-art traffic signal controllers, cabinets, and advanced technologies to synchronize Willow Avenue corridor from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on January 30, 2015, and posted on the City's website and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to twelve (12) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 3, 2015, with the bids ranging from $950,750 to $985,923. Kertel Communications, Inc. dba Sebastian which submitted the bid in the amount of $950,750 was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire in 64 days from the bid opening date on May 6, 2015.
Staff is recommending that the Council award a construction contract to Kertel Communications, Inc. dba Sebastian of Fresno, California in the amount of $950,750 for the Willow Avenue ITS Project from Ashlan Avenue to International Avenue as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (c) (existing facilities) which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of an existing facility. This exemption applies because this project involves improving efficiency of an existing roadway through coordinating the operation of existing traffic signals to reduce congestion without expansion of the roadway. The project will install fiber cable in existing conduits; will install traffic signal controllers in existing cabinets; will install wiring in existing signal conduits and cabinets; and will install communication equipment in existing cabinet. Staff determined under the CEQA Guidelines this project fits within the definition of existing facilities in Section 15301 Class 1 (c), as Categorically Exempt from further CEQA review. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council Districts 4, 6, City of Clovis and Fresno County. The overall cost of the project is $1,530,400 and is funded by $1,378,901 in CMAQ Regional Bid funds and $151,499 in Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact fees. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund.
Of the overall budget of the project, $1,045,800 will be used for the construction contract award including contingency. Remaining costs of $484,600 are indirect costs (Preliminary Engineering and Construction Engineering costs) associated with this project.
Attachments: Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map