REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 16, 2019
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BRIAN SPINDOR, PE(WA), Assistant Director - Wastewater
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
DEJAN PAVIC, PE, Public Utilities Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: CHARLES MASTERS, Engineer II
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Sewer Improvements in the Vicinity of North First Street and East Dakota Avenue (Bid File 3635) (Council District 7):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., in the amount of $729,049.
3. Authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for Sewer Improvements in the Vicinity of North First Street and East Dakota Avenue (Project); award a construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., in the amount of $729,049; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
After a detailed analysis of the wastewater collection system, the Wastewater Collection Sewer Master Plan identified sewer pipes and appurtenances in need of rehabilitation and replacement. The scope of work for the Project will correct sewer system structural deficiencies in the vicinity of North Fresno Street and East Dakota Avenue. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Wastewater Management Division, is seeking to award a construction contract for the Project to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., in the amount of $729,049.
BACKGROUND
In 2015, inspections of the Fresno’s sewer system were conducted in the process of preparing the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan. The goal of these inspections was to evaluate the structural and capacity handling capability of all the downtown sewer pipes. Through this investigation, several segments of these sewer pipes were found to have structural deficiencies such as cracks and voids, some were found to be past the design useful life, and other pipes are undersized per the current City Standard design requirements.
The ages of the pipes in the Project area range from 1950 to 1955. The typical design life of a sewer pipe is 50 to 75 years. The advanced age and structural deficiencies discovered in these areas require that portions of the sewer pipes be rehabilitated.
The Project consists of the rehabilitation of sewer mains by means of Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) liner installation in following locations: 6-inch diameter sewer main in East Sussex Way between North Fresno Street and North Mariposa Street, 6-inch diameter sewer main in East Saginaw Way between North Fresno Street and North Mariposa Street, 8-inch diameter sewer main in East Ashlan Avenue between North Angus Street and North Sherman Street, 8-inch diameter sewer main in East Buckingham Way between North Angus Street and North Sherman Street, 8-inch diameter sewer main in North Sherman Street between North Angus Street and East Sussex Way, 8-inch diameter sewer main in North Sherman Street alley between North Angus Street and North First Street, 8-inch diameter sewer main in North Angus Street between East Ashlan Avenue and East Buckingham Way, 8-inch diameter sewer main in North Angus Street alley between East Pontiac Way and East Dakota Avenue, 8-inch diameter sewer main in North Orchard Street rear easement between East Saginaw Way and East Dakota Avenue, and 8-inch diameter sewer main in North First Street rear easement between East Saginaw Way and East Dakota Avenue. Additionally, localized point repairs will take place in areas of severe damage at various locations along these sewer mains. Sewer rehabilitation was proposed where capacity deficiencies, structural deficiencies, and advanced age of pipe were identified.
Plans and specifications were prepared for this Project. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on April 3, 2019, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The specifications were distributed to eight prospective bidders and faxed to ten Builder Exchanges. One sealed bid proposal was received and publicly opened on April 23, 2019. The bid proposal was in the amount of $729,049. The bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on June 26, 2019. Upon receiving only one bid proposal, a canvas of several local contractors previously engaged in various City projects was conducted to determine reasons for the lack of interest in bidding on this Project. These contractors reported that this Project would require staffing and scheduling that conflict with other projects they have committed to. Given the current unavailability of these contractors and the history of work performed for the City by the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, staff recommends acceptance of the results of the bidding process for this Project.
Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., was found to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid amount of $729,049. The staff determination was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on April 30, 2019. Staff recommends that City Council award a construction contract to Emmett’s Excavation, Inc., in the amount of $729,049. Their bid price is 53% below the budget allocation of $1,555,400.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for this Project and has determined that it falls within Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), because this contract involves normal operation and maintenance of existing public sewer facilities. Furthermore, 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 because the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local business.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 7. This Project is identified in the Wastewater Management Division’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Funds in the amount of $1,555,400 for this Project are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2019 Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Bid Evaluation & Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 2 - Sample Contract
Attachment 3 - Vicinity Map