REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2021
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, Design Services
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to East Bullard Avenue Pavement Grind and Overlay Project, North First Street to North Cedar Avenue - Bid File No. 3721 (Council Districts 4 and 6)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the State of California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $892,272.20 to Cal Valley Construction Inc., of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, award a construction contract to Cal Valley Construction Inc., in the amount of $892,272.20 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the East Bullard Avenue Pavement Grind and Overlay Project, North First Street to North Cedar Avenue, and authorize the Public Works Director or Designee to sign a standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Bullard Avenue, between First Street and Cedar Avenue, is in need of repair to address surface and structural damage caused by age, weather, and use. This proposed project will extend the life of the existing pavement through maintenance and spot reconstruction. The project will also improve accessibility and support multimodal travel options through updates to curb ramps and restriping Class II bike lanes. This project is funded by a Federal grant from the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds as the local match.
BACKGROUND
The Bullard Avenue Pavement Grind and Overlay Project from First Street to Cedar Avenue was initiated in FY2019 when the City was awarded a Federal grant from the RSTP improvement program. The grant funds were obligated and the project was budgeted in the FY 2019 Capital Budget as adopted by the Council. This project was designed in-house by Public Works staff; engineering and design took approximately 15 months to complete.
The scope of work for the Bullard Avenue Pavement Grind and Overlay Project includes a grind and asphalt-concrete (AC) overlay of Bullard Avenue, between First Street and Cedar Avenue, as well as curb ramp reconstruction to bring the existing return ramps into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Other work will include the replacement/reinstallation of existing vehicle detection loops and the application of new pavement markers and striping. The roadway configuration will remain as it exists today and will include Class II bike lanes in both directions.
Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on January 20, 2021, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to nine (9) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to seventeen (17) prospective bidders. Seven (7) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on February 23, 2021, with bids ranging from $892,272.20 to $1,080,643.50. Cal Valley Construction Inc., of Fresno, with their bid of $892,272.20, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The expiration date of the bids is April 28, 2021. If the bids are rejected or expire the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Staff is recommending award of a construction contract to Cal Valley Construction Inc., in the amount of $892,272.20 to construct the East Bullard Avenue Pavement Grind and Overlay Project, North First Street to North Cedar Avenue, 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 performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301(c) Class 1 which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This exemption applies because this project involves the reconstruction of an existing roadway and does not involve the expansion of the roadway to accommodate additional traffic. The purpose of the project is to replace the surface pavement and provide a smooth riding surface for the motorists. 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 because this project is funded with a federal grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is located in the City of Fresno, Council Districts 4 and 6. The overall cost of the project is $1,206,499.20 and is funded with RSTP grant funding combined with SB1 RMRA funds as the local match. This project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the total project cost, $892,272.20 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
CEQA Notice of Exception