REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 8, 2016
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
JOVI TORIO, PE, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Blackstone and Shields Avenues Intersection Improvements - Bid File No. 3488 (Council District 7)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301(c) (existing facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the Blackstone and Shields Avenues intersection improvements Project
2. Award a construction contract to American Paving Company of Fresno, California, for $1,801,314 for the Blackstone and Shields Avenues intersection improvements
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, award a construction contract in the amount of $1,801,314 to American Paving Company of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Blackstone and Shields Avenues intersection improvements and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the contract on the City’s behalf.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Blackstone and Shields Avenues intersection improvements project will provide more efficient vehicle movement through the intersection and improved safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The project is primarily funded through a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. The contract award amount is within the available funding for the project.
BACKGROUND
The proposed Blackstone and Shields Avenues Intersection Improvements project is to reconfigure the intersection to enhance the performance of the intersection and make it safer for the pedestrians as well as vehicular traffic using that intersection. The scope of the project includes the new concrete improvements, asphalt paving, new traffic signal and ADA compliant access ramps. The sweeping free right turn movements will be eliminated, to be replaced by dedicated right turn pockets and standard crosswalks which bring all pedestrian movements within the limits of the signalized intersection. The eastbound and westbound left turn pockets will also be expanded to provide dual left turn movements, to accommodate existing and future traffic volumes.
Public Works Design staff prepared project plans and specifications and a Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on August 29, 2016, posted on the City’s website and faxed to Eleven (11) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to seven (7) prospective bidders. Three sealed bids proposals were received and opened in public on October 18, 2016. Bids range from $1,801,314 to $2,536,611. The bid in the amount of $1,801,314 submitted by American Paving Company of Fresno was deemed to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire in 64 days as of the bid opening of October 18, 2016.
Staff recommends that the Council award a construction contract in the amount of $1,801,314 to American Paving Company for the Blackstone and Shields Avenues intersection improvements and 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(c) (existing facilities), which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, which includes existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and with no further expansion of existing use. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions apply to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not used based on conditions of Federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Blackstone and Shields Avenue Intersection Improvement Project is located in District 7. The overall cost of the project is $2,150,700 and is primarily funded by $2,143,300 in Congestion Mitigation federal funds and $7,400 in Proposition 111 Special Gas Tax to cover un-reimbursable costs. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget of the project, $1,801,314 will be used for the construction contract award.
Attachment:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract