REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 27, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JON BARTEL, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Project Management Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the East Ashlan Avenue Overlay Project from North First Street to North Millbrook Avenue - Bid File No. 3695 (Council District 4)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2 and 15303/Class 3 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $353,904 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2 and 15303/Class 3 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $353,904 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 has identified a need for street restoration along East Ashlan Avenue between North First Street and North Millbrook Avenue. In December of 2015 the City applied for and was awarded a Regional Surface Transportation Program grant to fund preliminary engineering and construction for this asphalt overlay project. The scope of work includes grinding existing asphalt, pavement overlay, reconstructing three curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, reconstructing one valley gutter, replacement of traffic signal loop detectors and pavement striping.
BACKGROUND
The Ashlan Avenue Overlay Project from North First Street to North Millbrook Avenue was initiated in Fiscal Year 2016 when the City of Fresno was awarded a Federal grant from the Regional Surface Transportation Program. The grant funds were obligated and the project was budgeted in the adopted Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget by City Council. The design phase started following the Council approval of the consultant contract with QK, Inc. on April 27, 2017.
East Ashlan Avenue from North First Street to North Millbrook Avenue is a heavily used arterial street that is suffering from pavement deterioration. The asphalt overlay project will extend the service life of the street and bring existing curb ramps into compliance with ADA standards. The Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Business Journal on December 16, 2019, posted on the City’s website and was sent via fax to 10 building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 30 prospective bidders. Eight sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 14, 2020, with the bids ranging from $353,904.00 to $442,590.07. Avison Construction, Inc. has been deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid price was 12% below the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening on March 18, 2020.
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 Avison Construction, Inc. in the amount of $353,904, to construct the asphalt overlay on East Ashlan Avenue between North First Street and North Millbrook Avenue and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. City Attorney has reviewed and approved to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15301/Class 1, 15302/Class 2 and 15303/Class 3 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 construction of an asphalt overlay, reconstruction of curb ramps 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 Regional Surface Transportation Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in City of Fresno Council District 4. The overall cost of the projects is $549,700 and is 100% federally funded by Regional Surface Transportation Program. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $353,904 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
Categorical Exemption Environmental Assessment No. EA-18-008