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 Barstow Avenue Class IV Bikeway Project - Bid File 12300267 (Council District 4)
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 $2,234,648 to American Paving Co., of Fresno, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), award a construction contract with American Paving Co., of Fresno, California in the amount of $2,234,648 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 proposed Barstow Avenue Class IV Bikeway Project will construct a Class IV separated bicycle facility along Barstow Avenue, between Blackstone and Cedar Avenues, to provide a more comfortable cycling facility for members of the public who may otherwise not be confident or skilled enough to ride in an unprotected (Class II) facility. The scope of work includes a maintenance grind and overlay of Barstow Avenue from Blackstone Avenue to Fresno Street and striping removal and slurry from Fresno Street to Cedar Avenue. Construction of the new Class IV bikeway facility will include new roadway striping and signage, installation of green methyl-methacrylate (MMA) to highlight areas of conflict between bicyclists and motor vehicles, and the installation of flexible post delineators to create the separated, protected space that defines a Class IV bikeway facility. In addition, the work includes upgrading the traffic signals at Fresno Street, First Street, Millbrook Avenue, and Cedar Avenue to include video detection technology that will provide enhanced detection of pedestrians and cyclists within the intersections. This project is locally funded with Measure C funding, Measure P Safe Walking and Biking Trails funding and General Fund allocations.
BACKGROUND
The design phase of the project was initiated in FY22 and preliminary engineering design and project management was completed over 10 months by City of Fresno staff. The scope of this project includes the construction of a Class IV separated bicycle facility along Barstow Avenue, between Blackstone Avenue and Cedar Avenue, through a partial slurry and a partial grind and overlay of the roadway that will eliminate existing lane markings and provide an improved driving and cycling surface, placement of new roadway striping and signage, installation of green methyl-methacrylate (MMA) to highlight areas of conflict between bicyclists and motor vehicles, and the installation of flexible delineator posts to create the separated and protected space that defines a Class IV facility. Video detection equipment will be installed at four intersections within the project limits to provide improved detection of cyclists and pedestrians. No additional right-of-way was needed to complete this project.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on December 9, 2022, posted on the City’s website, and distributed to 11 building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 51 prospective bidders. Four (4) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 17, 2023, with bids ranging from $2,234,648 to $2,569,522. American Paving Co. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $2,234,648 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire on March 22, 2023; 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 applies to this project and was incorporated into this contract.
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with American Paving Co., in the amount of $2,234,648 for the Barstow Avenue Class IV Bikeway 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.
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 partial reconstruction of existing roadway, installation of bicycle facilities, and partial reconstruction of traffic signals, none of which involves 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 because the low bidder is a local contractor.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Barstow Avenue Class IV Bikeway project is located in Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $2,891,400 and is funded with local Measure C Bike Lane and Street Maintenance funding, Measure P Safe Walking and Biking Trails funding, and a small amount of General Fund used to initiate the design phase. Of the overall budget of the project, $2,234,648 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
CEQA Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract