REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 6, 2018
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
JESUS AVITIA, PE, Deputy City Engineer
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations & Planning Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the McKinley and Blackstone Traffic Signal Modification and Railroad Improvement - Bid File 3619 (Council Districts 1 and 7)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA)
2. Award a Construction Contract to American Paving Co., of Fresno, CA in the amount of $956,015.50
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, award a construction contract with American Paving Co., in the amount of $956,015.50, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the McKinley and Blackstone Traffic Signal Modification as part of Section 130 Railroad Improvements, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed traffic signal modification and railroad improvement project at the intersection of McKinley and Blackstone will improve vehicle and pedestrian safety at this street intersection and the McKinley and BNSF Railroad crossing. This project will construct new median islands on both sides of the existing BNSF Railroad tracks in order to accommodate the new railroad safety crossing arms and safety devices previously installed by the Railroad Co. This project will utilize the latest railroad preemption capability coordinated with the traffic signal to support future implementation of Quiet Zone Phase 3. Sidewalks will be reconstructed on both sides of the railroad crossings in order to improve safety at the pedestrian railroad crossing.
BACKGROUND
The Blackstone and McKinley Grade Crossing improvement project was identified in June of 2014 by Department of Public Works (DPW), BNSF Railway (BNSF), Caltrans Division of Rail (Caltrans), and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as a grade crossing meeting the criteria for Federal Section 130 Grade Crossing Improvements. The Section 130 program is a federally funded program, administered by the states, for the elimination of hazards at at-grade crossings. Through Council approval, DPW adopted the proposed improvements and budget in FY17. Design was performed in-house taking approximately 3 months to complete. The construction phase was bid and included in the FY19 adopted budget. The design and construction for this project are fully funded by Federal Section 130 funds.
The scope of work includes a complete traffic signal modification with new detector loops, traffic signal poles, and traffic signal conduit. The project includes a new median island construction on McKinley west of Blackstone and new sidewalk on both sides of McKinley.
Public Works staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on June 27, 2018, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. City of Fresno Specifications was also distributed to three (3) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on July 24, 2018. Bids ranged from $956,015.50 to $1,033,125.96. American Paving submitted a bid in the amount of $956,015.50 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is December 14, 2018. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, resulting in a delay of approximately 60 days.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed Standardized Construction Contract.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract to American Paving Co., of Fresno, CA in the amount of $956,015.50, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, 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, including existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, with no further expansion of existing use. 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
Local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the federal funding for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council Districts 1 and 7. The overall cost of the project is $1,293,250 and is fully funded by a Service Contract with State of California Section 130 Division of Rail and Mass Transportation. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $956,015.50 will be used for the construction contract award.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract