REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Public Works Manager
Engineering Division, Design Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Webster Neighborhood Canal Barricade Project - Bid File 3826 (Council District 7):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $296,709 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $296,709 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Webster Neighborhood Canal Barricade Project, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Webster Neighborhood Canal Barricade project will construct over 900 feet of guardrail along the Dry Creek Canal abutting Clark Street, from just north of Hammond Avenue to Floradora Avenue, and along Floradora Avenue just east of Clark Street. The barricade project will enhance safety for both motorists and pedestrians by creating a strong barricade that separates the Fresno Irrigation District’s (FID) canal from the adjacent roadways. This vertical barrier will help prevent accidental or intentional motor vehicle and bicycle incursions into the canal as well as provide an access deterrent for pedestrians who walk along the top of the canal bank. The project is completely funded using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY21 when the City of Fresno received a grant award through the CDBG program. The scope of the project includes the installation of Midwest-guardrail barricade with steel posts along the Dry Creek Canal frontage of Clark Street and a portion of Floradora Avenue. The project will also install an asphalt-concrete dike at the existing edge of paving, beneath and in front of the dike, as well as a 12” wide concrete lining cap behind the railing. The area between the AC dike and concrete cap will receive a layer of decomposed granite to stabilize the soil beneath the barricade and provide a low-maintenance, weed-resistant barrier. New signage will be installed on along the affected streets as well as the intersections of the existing cross-streets that “T” into Clark Street, including Hedges Avenue and Lamona Avenue. Public Works and FID staff worked to prepare and execute a Common-Use Agreement for the areas where both agencies need to maintain their respective infrastructure. No additional right-of-way was needed to complete this project. The preliminary engineering design and project management was completed over 24 months by City of Fresno staff.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on February 23, 2022, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to nine (9) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to twelve (12) prospective bidders. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on March 22, 2022, with bids ranging from $296,709 to $315,970. Avison Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $296,709 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire on May 25, 2022; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The Community Workforce Agreement, adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this project because the engineer’s estimate for this project was less than the $1,000,000 threshold, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc., in the amount of $296,709 for the Webster Neighborhood Canal Barricade Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. These exemptions apply because this project involves the construction of roadway safety infrastructure that does not involve the expansion of the roadway. 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
Local preference was not implemented based on conditions of federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Webster Neighborhood Canal Barricade Project is located in Council District 7. The overall cost of the project is $405,100 and is federally funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Of the overall budget of the project, $296,709 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Vicinity Map
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract