REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 21, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JOHN HONEY, PE, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Engineering Division, Project Management
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an agreement for consultant services with SWCA Environmental Consultants of San Luis Obispo, California, in the amount of $73,939, for the preparation of environmental studies and technical memos for the Polk Avenue Widening Project (Council District 1).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement for consultant services with SWCA Environmental Consultants, in the amount of $73,939, for the preparation of environmental studies and technical memos for the Polk Avenue Widening Project and authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to construct street improvements and widen the west side of Polk Avenue from Shaw Avenue to Gettysburg Avenue, including curbs, gutters and sidewalks. The preliminary engineering is funded with New Growth Area Major Street impact fees and construction funding has been secured through a grant through the Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program administered through Caltrans. Since the project includes federal funding, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) determination is required prior to commencing right-of-way acquisition and construction. Staff recommends approval of the agreement for environmental studies and technical memos required for a NEPA determination. Staff recommends approval of the agreement with SWCA Environmental Consultants, in the amount of $73,939, for the preparation of environmental studies and technical memos for the Polk Avenue Widening Project.
BACKGROUND
Polk Avenue currently exists as a two-lane roadway lacking curbs, gutters, sidewalks and drainage facilities south of Shaw Avenue. Bottlenecks exist between the newer, fully improved, subdivisions and older areas that were previously developed in the County. In accordance with the 2035 General Plan, Polk Avenue is planned to be a four-lane divided arterial between Shaw Avenue and Gettysburg Avenue.
The design and preparation of street improvement plans, specifications and engineer’s estimate for the project is currently being completed by Blair, Church & Flynn per a consulting agreement, approved by City Council on April 6, 2017 and executed on April 25, 2017. New Growth Area Major Street Impact fees are being used to fund the preliminary engineering costs.
The City of Fresno was awarded a Federal STBG grant that provides construction funding for the Polk Avenue widening. These construction funds will be used to widen the west side of Polk Avenue between Shaw Avenue and Gettysburg Avenue per the alignment established by Directors Determination 15-C-5374, and consistent with the Shaw Avenue Official Plan Line as adopted by the Council. Construction will result in two southbound travel lanes, bike lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the west side of the street, while retaining one northbound travel lane. A HAWK pedestrian signal near Teague Elementary School, is also included with the Project. The Federal STBG program application was part of a package of grants authorized per Resolution No. 2017-288 by the City Council on October 19, 2017.
As a result of Federal STBG program funding requirements, additional environmental studies and technical memos are required to satisfy NEPA, prior to starting right-of-way acquisition. Nine parcels have been identified for right-of-way acquisition to widen the west side of Polk Avenue between Shaw Avenue and Acacia Avenue. The acquisition process cannot begin until the environmental studies are completed and approved by Caltrans.
In October 2019, the City posted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the environmental phase of the project to include preparation of environmental studies and technical memos. In accordance with Administrative Order (A.O.) 6-19, staff sent out the RFQ via the City’s website and advertised in the Business Journal. The RFQ was posted for two weeks. Three statements of qualifications were received and staff interviewed all three qualified respondents in October 2019. SWCA Environmental Consultants was determined to be the most qualified and provided submitted an acceptable proposal for the preparation of environmental studies and technical memos.
Staff is requesting City Council approve an agreement with SWCA Environmental Consultants of San Luis Obispo, California in the amount $73,939 for the preparation of environmental studies and technical memos for the Polk Avenue Widening Project, and to authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to sign and execute the agreement, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, on behalf of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because no local firms submitted a statement of qualifications.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council District 1. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. This agreement will be paid by New Growth Area Major Street Impact fees that are included in the project budget as adopted in the current fiscal year City Budget.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Consultant Agreement