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
BRANDON CHACON, Projects Administrator
Public Works Department, Transportation Project Management
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Midtown Fresno School Area Multimodal Interconnectivity Project - Bid File No. 3834 (Council Districts 1, 3 and 7):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staffs determination, pursuant to Sections 15301, 15302, 15303, and 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,214,587 to American Paving Company of Fresno, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301, 15302, 15303, and 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, (2) award a construction contract with American Paving Company of Fresno, California, in the amount of $2,214,587 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the standardized construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to improve safety, increase walkability, and improve bike infrastructure in the midtown Fresno area with the installation of three new school crossing traffic signals. The new signal locations include: Palm and Dennett Avenues adjacent to Muir Elementary, McKinley and San Pablo Avenues adjacent to Heaton Elementary School, and Blackstone and Webster Avenues adjacent to Susan B. Anthony Elementary School. The project also includes a traffic signal modification to include pedestrian signal upgrades at the McKinley Avenue and Van Ness Avenue intersection and sidewalk ramp upgrades at Glenn Avenue and Webster Avenue. The construction contract award is for $2,214,587 and is state funded by an Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant. Required local match is funded by Bicycle and Pedestrian local funds, Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee, and Senate Bill 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Public Works Department has identified a need for the installation of the three traffic signals and one traffic signal modification located adjacent to three midtown elementary schools and one community college located at Palm and Dennett Avenues, McKinley and San Pablo Avenues, Blackstone and Webster Avenues and McKinley and Van Ness Avenues. The three new signalized intersections will also receive upgraded ADA compliant curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and countdown pedestrian heads. The signal modification at McKinley and Van Ness Avenues will include traffic and bicycle loop detection and upgrade the pedestrian signal crossing. The installation of the three new traffic signal intersections will improve safety for the high volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic given the proximity to the adjacent elementary schools. The project will also improve the crossing at Webster and Glenn Avenues with striping and upgraded ADA compliant curb ramps.
On May 12, 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2016-70 authorizing a grant application to the Active Transportation Program (ATP) for the Midtown Fresno School Area Multimodal Interconnectivity Project. The City of Fresno Public Works Department submitted an ATP application for the project in June of 2016 for the design and construction phases of this project with project funding becoming available in FY20. The design started following the City Council approval of the consultant contract with TJKM Transportation Consultants on November 19, 2020, with design taking approximately 18 months to complete.
This traffic signal installation project is state funded with ATP Grant funding 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 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have not approved the use of the PLA on federal or state funded projects.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on June 29, 2022, posted on the City’s website, and was sent via fax to nine building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to twenty-two prospective bidders. Two sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on July 26, 2022, with bids ranging from $2,214,587 to $2,374,000. American Paving Company is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire September 28, 2022, 64 days after the bid opening. If the bids are rejected or expire the project must be rebid which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days and would jeopardize the construction ATP grant of $1,097,000, which has a deadline to award the construction contract of September 16, 2022.
Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract to American Paving Company in the amount of $2,214,587 to construct the Midtown Fresno School Area Multimodal Interconnectivity Project, 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 as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of the project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA guidelines, Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) because the project includes negligible or no expansion of an existing use, including reconstruction of existing curb ramps, existing sidewalk, provide enhancements for public health and safety purposes and minor alterations to land which will not affect any healthy, mature, scenic trees.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented for this project because this contract is funded by State grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Midtown Fresno School Area Multimodal Interconnectivity Project is located in Council Districts 1, 3 and 7. The overall cost of the project is $2,741,700 and is state funded by an Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant. Required local match is funded by Bicycle and Pedestrian local funds, Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee, and Senate Bill 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $2,214,587 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in the current fiscal year budget as previously adopted by City Council.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. PW00878
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardize Construction Contract
Vicinity Map