REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 12, 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, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Traffic Signal Improvements at North Gates and West San Jose Avenues - Bid File 3705 (Council District 2)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption for Environmental Assessment No. P19-00261 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 $532,550 to A-C Electric Company of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Traffic Signal Improvements at North Gates and West San Jose Avenues
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that 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 Gates and West San Jose Avenues, award a construction contract with A-C Electric Company of Fresno, CA, in the amount of $532,550 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 proposed traffic signal at the intersection of North Gates Avenue and West San Jose Avenue will assist pedestrians crossing both San Jose and Gates Avenues and allow safe left turn vehicle movements in all directions. This intersection is currently unsignalized with stop signs installed at San Jose Avenue; traffic on Gates Avenue is unrestricted. This project is fully-funded with Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds and will have no impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
The scope of work for the proposed traffic signal improvements at North Gates and West San Jose Avenues includes new traffic signal foundations, poles, arms and heads, conduit and conductors, video detection equipment for signal actuation, traffic signal controller cabinet, new ADA-compliant concrete curb ramps, a camera for remote monitoring, 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 both Gates and San Jose Avenues, and provide protected left turning for vehicles in all directions. The Gates and San Jose intersection is currently unsignalized.
The RSTP grant funding for the Gates and San Jose Traffic Signal Project was awarded in Fiscal Year 2016, and the project was budgeted in the adopted Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget by City Council. The engineering design took approximately 16 months to complete.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on October 9, 2019, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to eight (8) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were also distributed to thirty-eight (38) prospective bidders. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on November 5, 2019 with bid amounts of $532,550 and $536,500. A-C Electric Company of Fresno, CA, with their bid of $532,550, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is January 8, 2020. 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 A-C Electric Company of Fresno, CA for the Traffic Signal Improvements at North Gates and West San Jose 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 (E.A. No. P19-00261) 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
Local preference was not implemented based on conditions of federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council District 2. The overall cost of the project is $701,200 and is fully funded by Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) federal funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $532,550 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
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map
Environmental Assessment No. P19-00261