REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL January 29, 2015 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Capital Management Division LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager Public Works Department, Capital Management Division BY: JOVI TORIO, PE, Professional Engineer Design Services Public Works Department, Capital Management Division ERNESTO GARCIA, Supervising Engineering Technician Design Services, Public Works Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the traffic signal improvements at Brawley and Shields Avenues - Bid File 3356 (Council Districts 1 & 3) 1. Adopt finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Class 1 Section 15301(c) (existing facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines, for the traffic signal improvements at Brawley and Shields Avenues 2. Award a Construction Contract to American Construction Engineers, of Tollhouse, California in the amount of $379,140 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the traffic signal improvements at Brawley and Shields Avenues ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and award construction contract in the amount of $379,140 to American Construction Engineers, of Tollhouse, California, for the Traffic Signal Improvements at Brawley and Shields Avenues and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign the contract on the City's behalf. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This project will replace the existing four-way stop signs at the intersection of Brawley and Shields Avenues with fully actuated traffic signals. The proposed traffic signal improvements at Brawley and Shields Avenues will provide efficient vehicle movement through the intersection and improve air quality by decreasing traffic delays at the intersection. Approximately 10% of the project costs is being provided from Citywide Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fees, which are collected in order to fund various capital improvement projects associated with new development. The remaining balance of funding is being provided through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant, which is allocated to the City based on population. BACKGROUND The Brawley and Shields intersection currently is listed on the 2014 Priority List for New Traffic Signal Installations approved by Council. The project will construct a traffic signal to replace an existing four-way stop sign operation and install intersection improvements. In addition to the signal, upgrade of curb returns to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards, pavement transitions, asphalt concrete dike, storm drain pipe, inlets and manholes and sidewalk, signage and striping, and utility relocation to City and State Standards and Specifications. Public Works staff prepared project plans and specifications. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on October 1, 2014, posted on the City's website, and faxed to ten building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 41 prospective Bidders. Three sealed bids were received and opened in a public bid opening on November 18, 2014, with the bids ranging from $379,140 to $536,299. American Construction Engineers of Tollhouse, California is deemed to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire 64 days from the bid opening date of November 18, 2014. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Class 1 Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301(c), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. This exemption applies because this project involves the installation of traffic signals, with loop detection, pavement striping and crosswalks, signs, and no further expansion of existing use. LOCAL PREFERENCE The local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Federal Grant. FISCAL IMPACT The project is located in Council Districts 1 and 3. The overall cost of the project is $624,300 and is funded by a $559,203 grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program and $65,097 in Citywide Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fees. Of the overall cost of the project, $417,100 will be used for the construction contract award including contingency. Remaining costs of $207,200 are indirect costs (Preliminary Engineering, Right-of-Way, Construction Engineering and Overhead costs) associated with this project. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Attachments: Evaluation/Bid File 3356/Fiscal Impact Statement Vicinity Map