REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
Scott L. MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: JESUS AVITIA, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
GUSTAVO RANGEL, Engineer I
Capital Projects Department, Transportation Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue Safety Improvements Project (Bid File No. 12400905) (Council District 6):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $624,487 to Dave Christian Construction Company Incorporated, of Fresno, California.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, (2) award a construction contract with Dave Christian Construction Company Incorporated of Fresno, California in the amount of $624,487 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno plans to enhance safety at the intersection of North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue through the introduction of traffic calming strategies. The proposed chicanes and median islands will significantly slow traffic as it approaches the intersection, and provide a complete street through enhancement of the bicycle facilities. These infrastructure improvements prioritize safety, which will benefit the nearby residents, the community, and motorists. Awarding a construction contract for Phase 1 of the project will allow the proposed improvements along East Behymer Avenue to be constructed. Phase 1 of the project is completely funded using SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds.
BACKGROUND
Due to safety concerns from residents and City staff, pertaining to the speeding motorists at the 90-degree curve at the intersection of North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue, the City is implementing traffic calming measures. On December 15, 2022, City Council approved three (3) On-Call Civil Engineering Services Agreements with consultants to provide engineering design services for citywide neighborhood infrastructure projects. On January 6, 2023, a Mini Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent out to the three consultants for neighborhood infrastructure design support for the North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue Safety Improvements Project. Mark Thomas & Company, Incorporated, was determined to be the most qualified consultant based on the selection criteria stated in the RFP. The concept development and design started following the approval of the task order with Mark Thomas & Company, Incorporated, on February 8, 2023.
On May 3, 2023, a community meeting was held at Liberty Elementary School, where the City proposed a chicane traffic-calming concept to the residents of the community. The concept was well received by the residents of the community that attended the meeting. Through design coordination efforts a two-phase delivery approach was implemented. The first phase would complete design and construction along East Behymer Avenue with the second phase currently in design for proposed measures along North Granville Avenue. Design for Phase 1 was completed in January 2024. Phase 2 along Granville Avenue is currently in design in anticipation of a second construction bid package, subject to a future fiscal year budget allocation.
The Notice Inviting Bids for Phase 1 was published in the Business Journal on January 24, 2024, posted on the City’s website, and was sent to six building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to fifty-nine prospective bidders. Three sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on February 27, 2024, with bids ranging from $624,487 to $907,986. Dave Christian Construction Company, Incorporated, of Fresno, CA is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening, on May 1, 2024. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 days.
The North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue Safety Improvements project is locally funded using SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. 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.
Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract to Dave Christian Construction Company, Incorporated, in the amount of $624,487 to construct Phase 1 of the North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue Safety Improvements Project, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Capital Projects 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.
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 the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because the project is proposing to make improvements to existing public facilities to construct chicanes to implement safety measures. The proposed street improvements are minor, do not constitute an expansion of use, and will improve the public right of way without increasing road capacity. Furthermore, staff 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 considered in staff’s evaluation of the bid proposals received. However, it was not implemented because the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local business.
FISCAL IMPACT
The North Granville Avenue and East Behymer Avenue Safety Improvements Project is located in Council District 6. The overall cost for Phase 1 of the project is $912,700 and is locally funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Of the overall project budget, $624,487 will be allocated for the construction contract award. All funds necessary for the contract award are included in this fiscal year approved budget, as previously adopted by the Council.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Contract
Vicinity Map