REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2019
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: RANDALL MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
JON BARTEL, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Project Management Section
SUBJECT
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Actions pertaining to the Shields Avenue and Weber Avenue Traffic Signal Installation Project - Bid File No. 3483 (Council District 1)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $755,689.00 to American Paving Company of Fresno, California.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301(c) Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, award a construction contract with American Paving Company of Fresno, California in the amount of $755,689.00 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to improve the intersection of Shields Avenue and Weber Avenue. The scope of work includes the installation of new traffic signals, safety street lights, signage and striping, and modifications of curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Awarding a construction contract for this traffic signal project will provide more efficient and safe vehicle and pedestrian movements through the intersection. The project is being funded by a federal grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and local match by Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee Funds.
BACKGROUND
The Shields Avenue and Weber Avenue Traffic Signal Installation Project was initiated in FY14 when the City was awarded a Federal grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The grant funds were obligated and the project was budgeted in the adopted FY14 Capital Budget by City Council. The design started following the Public Works Department approval of the consultant contract with Willdan Engineering on November 15, 2013. The preliminary engineering design and right-of-way acquisition took approximately 5 years and 2 months to complete.
Vehicle traffic through the one-way stop tee-intersection of Shields and Weber Avenues experience persistent delays and congestion. The proposed traffic signal project at the intersection of Shields and Weber Avenues provides a significant improvement in vehicle movement and pedestrian mobility through the intersection. The project includes the installation of a traffic signal, construction of an ADA compliant curb ramp, crosswalks, signs and pavement striping, minor concrete improvements, and modifications to the streetlight system.
The Notice Inviting Bids was advertised published in the Business Journal on December 7, 2018, posted on the City’s website and was sent via fax to eleven (11) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to seven (7) prospective bidders. Five (5) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on February 5, 2019, with the bids ranging from $755,689.00 to $857,309.00. American Paving Company is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid price was 11% below the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire in 64 days of the bid opening on February 5, 2019.
If the bids are rejected, the project will be rebid resulting in a delay of approximately 60 days.
Staff is recommending award of a construction contract to American Paving Company in the amount of $755,689.00, to construct a traffic signal at the intersection the Shields Avenue and Weber Avenue 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 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) Class 1 which exempts the repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, which includes existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and no further expansion of an existing use, because the project includes installation of traffic signal facilities, crosswalks, signage and pavement striping. 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 grant funding requirements of the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council Districts 1. The overall cost of the project is $1,121,400 and is partially funded by a federal grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Local match is being funded by Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee Funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $755,689 will be used for the construction contract award. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in the current fiscal year budget as previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Standardized Contract