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
GARINE KENDOYAN, Project Manager
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Orange Avenue and Central Avenue Intersection Improvement Project - Bid File No. 3833 (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,582,991 to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, (2) award a construction contract with Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $2,582,991 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to improve the Central Avenue and Orange Avenue intersection by widening the existing canal box culvert to accommodate new left and right turn lanes. This project will also modify the existing traffic signal to accommodate the additional turn lanes. Awarding a construction contract for this project will allow the proposed improvements to be constructed in coordination with the upcoming interruption of water delivery by Fresno Irrigation District (FID) this fall. This project is federally funded with a Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grant and New Growth Area Major Street Impact Fees as the local match.
BACKGROUND
On November 21, 2013, the Council adopted a resolution of support and authorization to apply for several Federal grant applications, through the Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) 2013 Call for Projects. The Council’s action included the grant application for the Central and Orange intersection improvements. Each leg of the intersection currently has one lane in each direction. The project will widen the intersection to accommodate both left and right turn lanes and widen the existing box culvert in the FID Central No. 23 canal, operated by FID. The project will also include a traffic signal modification to account for the left turn lanes. The design started following the City Council approval of the consultant contract with Peter’s Engineering Group, on September 25, 2017. No additional through travel lanes are being incorporated; the focus of the project is including left and right turn lanes for congestion relief, operational improvements and reduced emissions.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on February 25, 2022 and posted on the City’s website. Five sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on June 21, 2022, with bids ranging from $2,200,796 to $3,214,296. Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on August 25, 2022.If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid resulting in a delay of approximately 10 months, due to the coordination with the FID water delivery season.
The Central Avenue and Orange Avenue intersection improvements project is federally funded with a Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grant and the City of Fresno received construction authorization and approval of the project plans, specifications and estimates from Caltrans without the incorporation of the Community Workforce Agreement (PLA). Caltrans and FHWA have not approved the use of the PLA on federal or state funded projects, but City staff continues to request PLA authorization on a project-by-project basis per Caltrans direction.
Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract to Avison Construction, Inc. of Madera, California in the amount of $2,582,991 to construct the intersection improvements at Central Avenue and Orange Avenue, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to 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 this item as to form.
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 (Existing Facilities) because the project includes no expansion of an existing use.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented for this project due to it being funded through a Federal STBG program, which precludes local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Central Avenue and Orange Avenue Intersection Improvements Project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $3,350,000 and it is federally funded with a Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grant and New Growth Area Street Impact Fees from new development as the local match. Of the overall budget of the project, $2,582,991 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. EA - PW00710
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map