REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL January 15, 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 installations on Olive Avenue and the State Route 99 off/on ramps - Bid File 3340 (Council District 3) 1. Adopt finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Class 1 Section 15301(c) (existing facilities) of California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines, for the traffic signal installations on Olive Avenue and the State Route 99 off/on ramps 2. ***RESOLUTION - 32th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution ("AAR") No. 2014-95 appropriating $1,451,800 for construction costs on the traffic signal installation on Olive Avenue and the State Route 99 off/on ramps capital project in FY 2015 (Requires 5 affirmative votes) 2. Award a Construction Contract to Dawson-Mauldin Const. Inc., of Huntington Beach, California in the amount of $1,463,979 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the traffic signal installations on Olive Avenue and the State Route 99 off/on ramps ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, adopt the 32th Amendment to the AAR No. 2014-95, and award construction contract in the amount of $1,463,979 to Dawson-Mauldin Const. Inc., of Huntington Beach, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Traffic Signal Installations on Olive Avenue and the State Route 99 off/on ramps and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign the contract on the City's behalf. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The proposed traffic signal installations on Olive Avenue and the two off/on ramps on State Route 99 will eliminate the stop signs at the ramps and improve vehicular movements through the two intersections. Currently during peak periods, vehicles attempting to enter Olive Avenue from the freeway ramps causes a backup to the freeway mainline. The installation of traffic signals at these intersections, along with other proposed improvements would significantly improve traffic operations and also relieve the current congestion which in turn would improve safety for both vehicular traffic and pedestrians crossing the Olive Avenue freeway ramps. This is a joint project between the City of Fresno and the California Department of Transportation ("Caltrans"). BACKGROUND In 2008, the City of Fresno received a federal grant to improve the safety of the on/off ramps at SR 99 and Olive Avenue, under the Highway Safety Improvement Program ("HSIP"). In addition to the federal funds Caltrans has contributed to the project by preparing the Project Study Report and providing funding for the project. The proposed project will eliminate the stop signs at the intersections of Olive Avenue and State Route 99 off-ramps and widen the on-ramps to install ramp metering. The project will improve vehicular movements and safety for vehicles entering and exiting State Highway 99 from Olive Avenue. On October 10, 2013, City of Fresno entered into a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans for the proposed project. The scope of the project includes installation of curb and gutter, wheelchair ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") standards, asphalt concrete pavement, asphalt concrete grinding and overlay, asphalt concrete dikes, storm drain pipes, inlets, concrete sidewalk, landscaping and irrigation, concrete retaining wall, signage and striping, traffic signal conduits, conductors, detector loops, controlling equipment and traffic signal poles. All construction work will be to the State Standards and Specifications. Public Works staff prepared project plans and specifications. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on October 15, 2014, posted on the City's website, and faxed to ten building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 14 prospective Bidders. Three sealed bids were received and opened in a public bid opening on November 18, 2014, with the bids ranging from $1,463,979 to $1,899,342. Dawson-Mauldin Const. Inc., of Huntington Beach, 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 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 (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. Furthermore, City and State staff have determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exceptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE The local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the Federal and State Grants. FISCAL IMPACT The project is located in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $1,923,400 and is funded by $900,000 grant from the HSIP, $677,000 grant from State Co-Operative agreement with Caltrans utilizing State Highway Operations and Protection Program ("SHOPP") and $346,400 in Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall cost of the project, $1,502,000 will be used for the construction contract award including contingency. The remaining $421,400 in project costs are indirect costs (Preliminary Engineering and Construction Engineering), which are part of the previous and current fiscal year adopted budgets. Attachments: Evaluation/Bid File 3340/Fiscal Impact Statement Vicinity Map 32th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2014-95