REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 27, 2020
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing Dissolution of the Capital Project Oversight Board of the City of Fresno and rescinding Resolutions Nos. 2015-34 and 2015-82 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to dissolve the Capital Project Oversight Board (Board) of the City of Fresno and rescind Resolutions Nos. 2015-34 and 2015-82.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On June 4, 2015, the Fresno City Council adopted Resolution 2015-19 establishing the Capital Project Oversight Board. The purpose of the Board is to provide third party oversight over General Fund and Enterprise capital projects in excess of $20 million. The Board has reviewed major capital projects such as Fulton Street Revitalization Project, the Bus Rapid Transit Program along with the Recharge Fresno Capital Improvement Program. During the prior year, numerous Oversight Board meetings have been cancelled due to a lack of quorum. With the completion of the above-mentioned projects, staff recommends dissolution of the Board and rescinding Resolutions Nos. 2015-34 and 2015-82.
BACKGROUND
On June 4, 2015, the Fresno City Council adopted Resolution 2015-19 establishing the Capital Project Oversight Board. The Board was established as a component of the Enterprise Accountability and Oversight Act and the Construction Management Act (the Acts). Adoption of the Acts was brought about by the approval of new water rates on February 26, 2015 providing funding for the Recharge Fresno Capital Improvement Program. The Board is comprised of members who have private sector experience in building and managing large construction projects including general contractors, engineers, architects and related fields. The Board was established to review projects in excess of $20 million and act in an advisory capacity to the Council.
During the Board’s tenure, it reviewed major capital projects such as the Fulton Street Revitalization Project, the Bus Rapid Transit Program along with the Recharge Fresno Capital Improvement Program, which included T-4 Downtown Water Storage Tank, Friant-Kern Canal Pipeline, Kings River Pipeline, Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, and Regional Transmission Mains.
This past year, numerous Board Meetings have been cancelled due to a lack of quorum delaying the timely approval of project change orders. The Bylaws of the Capital Projects Oversight Board (Section 3b) states the Board shall remain established until dissolved by the City Council. Now that the above-mentioned projects have been fully constructed and are now complete, it is staff’s recommendation that the City Council approve a resolution for dissolution of the Board and rescinding Resolutions Nos. 2015-34 and 2015-82.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purpose of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b) (4), as it is a fiscal governmental action that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because there is not a bid or an award of contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the General Fund.
Attachment: Resolution