REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 15, 2016
FROM: BRIAN R. MARSHALL, Director
Transportation Department
BY: JIM SCHAAD, Assistant Director
Transportation Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to awarding a contract for construction of site improvements and an exterior façade remodel at Fresno Area Express’s Manchester Transit Center:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption under section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
2. Award a construction contract to Davis Moreno Construction Inc. of Fresno, California in the amount of $1,445,814.77 for the construction of site improvements and an exterior façade remodel at Fresno Area Express’s (FAX’s) Manchester Transit Center (Bid File 3501) (District 7).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to section 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines, and award a construction contract for the base bid amount of $1,317,414.77, plus the Add/Alternate, for a total contract price of $1,445,814.77, to Davis Moreno Construction Inc. of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the construction of site improvements and an exterior façade remodel at the FAX Manchester Transit Center.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation seeks Council approval to award a construction contract to modernize and update passenger amenities, improve accessibility and increase safety at Manchester Transit Center located at 3590 North Blackstone Avenue in Fresno, California. This facility is a major transit hub for FAX and allows customers to transfer between six separate bus lines. Staff recognizes the facility has suffered from deferred maintenance due to economic constraints. Update of this major transfer hub will provide a safer, more welcoming, attractive, and convenient environment for the large population of FAX customers using the facility. This project will contribute to the overall efforts by FAX to improve service. Staff recommends Council (1) adopt a finding of categorical exemption under section 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines; and (2) award a construction contract to Davis Moreno Construction Inc. of Fresno, California with the base bid amount of $1,317,414.77 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, plus the Add/Alternate for a total contract price of $1,445,814.77, for the construction of site improvements and an exterior façade remodel at FAX’s Manchester Transit Center.
BACKGROUND
Manchester Transit Center serves as a major transfer hub for six bus lines. Approximately 2,770 passengers board on an average weekday at the transit center. The present condition and aesthetics do not provide a safe, clean and convenient atmosphere to attract ridership. The hub has suffered from deferred maintenance due to economic constraints, and no updates have been performed since a minor remodel to the interior of the customer service center in 2000. The station was originally constructed in the late 1980s.
The remodel and revitalization of Manchester Transit Center will address the following elements:
• New transit shelters and associated amenities.
• Redesigned and improved path of travel between transit shelters and customer service building.
• Improved ADA access to transit shelters and customer service building.
• Redesigned landscaping and security lighting.
• Modernized exterior façade of the customer service building.
• Infrastructure for future transit technology and security devices.
• Right of way improvements include revised grades, curbs cuts, and reinforced bus pads.
• New color message display boards will added to each shelter by exercising the add/alternate included in the bid proposal.
The planned site improvements will also address several accessibility barriers identified in the City ADA Facilities Transition Plan.
On July 14, 2016, Council authorized the Department of Transportation to enter into an agreement with Siegfried Engineering, Inc., for design and engineering services to renovate the transit center. Once the design was completed, a Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on October 17, 2016, posted on the City website, and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to thirty-four (34) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on November 15, 2016. Bids ranged from $1,317,414.77 to $1,639,862. Davis Moreno Construction Inc. of Fresno submitted a base bid in the amount of $1,317,414.77 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire on January 18, 2017. The Engineer’s estimate for the project was $1,436,933; the total contract price is 0.6% above the estimate.
Construction will be financed with Federal Transit Administration 5307 and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grants as adopted in the FY2017 budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined this project is exempt under section 15302 of the CEQA guidelines. Specifically Section 15302 notes the replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity is categorically exempt from CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as the project is funded by federal grants which preclude local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
Construction will be financed with Federal Transit Administration 5307 and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grants as adopted in the FY2017 budget. No general fund dollars will be used.
Attachment:
Bid Evaluation