REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 5, 2019
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Traffic Signal Improvements at North Harrison and East Shields Avenues - Bid File No. 3697 (Council District 1)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15303/Class 3 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $503,500 to Audeamus Inc., dba Sebastian of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Traffic Signal Improvements at North Harrison and East Shields Avenues
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15303/Class 3 of the CEQA Guidelines for the Traffic Signal Improvements at North Harrison and East Shields Avenues project, award a construction contract with Audeamus Inc., dba Sebastian, of Fresno, CA, in the amount of $503,500 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or Designee to sign a standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The new Traffic Signal at North Harrison and East Shields Avenues will assist pedestrians crossing Shields Avenue and improve safety for left turn vehicle movements on all directions. The Shields Avenue crossing at Harrison Avenue is currently an uncontrolled intersection and designated a school route to access Dailey Elementary Charter School to the south. The improvements will provide more efficient vehicle movements through the intersection and enhance safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This intersection has satisfied school area traffic signal warrants and the project will be funded through SB1 revenues in accordance with the adopted FY20 budget.
BACKGROUND
The scope of work for the proposed traffic signal at North Harrison and East Shields Avenues includes new traffic signal poles, conduit, detection loops, traffic signal controller cabinet, conductors, concrete curb ramps, concrete sidewalk, camera, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) facilities. The project will also provide pedestrian amenities such as count-down heads, accessible pedestrian signals and safety lighting to assist pedestrians crossing Shields Avenue and provide protected left turn phasing for vehicles in all directions. The Harrison and Shields intersection is currently unsignalized and is a designated school route to access Dailey Elementary Charter School to the south.
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY18 when the City Council approved a list of projects to receive Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funding. The funds were obligated and the project was budgeted in the Council-adopted FY19 Capital Budget. The project was designed by Department of Public Works staff and took approximately 14 months to complete.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was then published in the Fresno Business Journal on September 16, 2019, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to thirty-four (34) prospective bidders. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on October 8, 2019 with bids ranging from $489,871 to $565,800. After application of the five percent (5%) Local Preference adjustment, Audeamus Inc., dba Sebastian, of Fresno, CA, with their bid of $503,500, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is December 11, 2019. If the bids are rejected or expire the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 60 days.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Staff is recommending award of a construction contract to Audeamus Inc., dba Sebastian, in the amount of $503,500 to construct Traffic Signal Improvements at N. Harrison and E. Shields Avenues as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed an environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15303/Class 3. Section 15301/Class 1 exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, which includes existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and no further expansion of existing use. Section 15303/Class 3 exempts the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, and installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, which includes street improvements of reasonable length to serve the construction. 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 project funding is through SB1 and considered locally funded. The City’s local preference adjustment was implemented as the apparent low bid was from a contractor located outside the City of Fresno. The bid received from Audeamus Inc., dba Sebastian from Fresno, CA was determined to be the adjusted lowest responsive and responsible bid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council District 1. The overall cost of the project is $648,650 and is locally funded by SB1 Gas Tax. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $503,500 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
CEQA Notice of Exemption