REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
TIM GROH, Project Manger
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Tot Lot Replacement Project Bid File 3865 (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination, pursuant to Section 15301 (d) and 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $449,000 to Rakkar Development and Construction of Fresno, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Tot Lot Replacement Project
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(d) and 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and award a construction contract to Rakkar Development and Construction of Fresno, CA, a California Corporation, in the amount of $449,000 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign a standardized contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS) seeks to replace the aging tot lot equipment at the Jaswant Singh Khalra Park located at the intersection of West Clinton Avenue and North Brawley Avenue. The scope of work includes the removal and replacement of existing play structures. The new play structures will be age-appropriate and ADA compliant. The project will also include the removal of the existing soft-fall safety surface and the installation of a new pour-in-place soft-fall safety surface within the entire tot lot area. Awarding a construction contract for this project will enhance the safety of the park and provide accessible play elements. The project is federally funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).
BACKGROUND
Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Tot Lot Project was awarded CDBG funding through the City of Fresno 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Programs. The construction funding for the project is appropriated in the 2023 budget. The design was completed through a consultant agreement with RJM Design Group of San Juan Capistrano, California, which was executed on May 13, 2021.
The Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Business Journal on July 18, 2022, and posted on the City’s website. Eight (8) building exchanges received the Notice Inviting Bids. The specifications were distributed to forty-one (41) prospective bidders. Three sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on August 16, 2022, with bids ranging from $444,499 to $536,000. The lowest bidder was deemed non-responsive by Purchasing because the submitted bid proposal was missing required documentation.
Staff is recommending that the City Council award a construction contract to Rakkar Development and Construction of Fresno, California in the amount of $449,000 to construct the Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Tot Lot, 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 Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract because the engineer’s estimate for this project was less than $1 million, pursuant to the terms of the PLA.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved 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(d) (Existing Facilities) and 15302 because the project includes no expansion of an existing use.
A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assessment was completed and determination made that the project was Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(1) because this is a facility improvement project with no new proposed construction.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented for this project due to it being funded through a Federal CDBG Grant, however the contractor is local to Fresno.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Tot Lot Replacement Project is in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $524,262 and it is funded with federal CDBG and Measure P funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $449,000 will be used for the construction contract award from CDBG funds. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment PC00153
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map