REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 27, 2020
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Assistant Director - UP&E
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: ROBERT A. DIAZ, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Interagency Agreement with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District for Design and Construction of Stormwater Master Plan Facilities, in the amount of $220,675, as part of the Maroa Heights Phase II Water Main Replacement Project in West Keats, West Scott, North Poplar and North Del Mar Avenues. (Council District 2 and Fresno County)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council approve an Interagency Agreement with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) for Design and Construction of Stormwater Master Plan Facilities, consisting of 996 linear feet of storm drain pipe in West Keats, West Scott, North Poplar and North Del Mar Avenues (the Project), for the reimbursable amount of $220,675, and authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, is developing bid documents for the Maroa Heights Phase II Water Main Replacement Project. During the project definition phase, FMFCD approached the City with a request to include needed storm water improvements in the same area. Through the proposed cooperative agreement both agencies are able to construct needed facilities simultaneously and reduce construction related impacts to area home owners. This Project includes the installation of a 15-inch storm drain for FMFCD per the agency’s request. As outlined in the interagency agreement, FMFCD will reimburse the Water Enterprise Fund in the amount of $220,675 for the stormwater related construction work.
BACKGROUND
This Project is located within the neighborhood of a former Fresno County water district in the vicinity of North Maroa and West Shaw Avenues. Several sections of the existing water mains in this former Fresno County water district area are located in easements at the rear or side of private properties with limited access. Due to the age of the existing mains, numerous water main failures have occurred interrupting water service to area customers. Under the Maroa Heights Phase II Project, the new water mains and services will be constructed within the street right-of-way to improve access for City maintenance staff and avoid disruption to private property for future repair needs.
FMFCD was notified in advance of the City’s proposed project and upon review, FMFCD indicated a separate project need within the same area. It was suggested that both agencies combine construction projects to economize the cost of construction work and reduce potential impacts to the residents in the area. FMFCD prepared the plans, specifications, and estimate which were provided and incorporated into the water main replacement bid package. Separate bid items were created so the stormwater improvements would be separate from the water main improvements providing full accounting for the FMFCD project costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary assessment of this Project and has determined that it falls within the Class 2 Categorical Exemption set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15302(c), as this contract is for the replacement of existing utility systems involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. The Project will replace the existing utility system with new water mains and services and will not result in the expansion of capacity of the existing utility system or change the purpose. The installation of the storm drain facilities will produce a negligible increase in capacity. 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 low bidder is a local business pursuant to the Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108(d).
FISCAL IMPACT
This Project will not have an impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 2 and within an unincorporated part of Fresno County. The total project cost of $4,391,000 is covered by Water Enterprise Fund retained earnings ($4,203,000) and a reimbursement from FMFCD ($220,675) for the storm drain work as established by the proposed interagency agreement. During the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget, it was anticipated that this Project would be completed in Fiscal Year 2021; therefore, no appropriations were requested. For construction award, an Annual Appropriation Resolution amendment resolution was adopted by Council on October 24, 2019 in order to fully fund the Project.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Interagency Agreement for Design and Construction of Master Plan Facilities
Attachment 2 - Categorical Exemption
Attachment 3 - Vicinity Map