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 Palm Avenue and Belmont Avenue Class IV Protected Bikeway Project - Bid File 3848 (Council Districts 1, 3, and 7): 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 $1,236,120 to VSS International, Inc. of West Sacramento, California ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1(c) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, award a construction contract with VSS International, Inc. of West Sacramento, California, in the amount of $1,236,120 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 Palm Avenue and Belmont Avenue Class IV Protected Bikeway Project will enhance cyclist safety along approximately 2.5 miles of Palm Avenue, between H Street and Dakota Avenue, and one mile of Belmont Avenue, between Palm Avenue and Abby Street, by installing a separated bicycle facility that includes a vertical protective element, where appropriate, to provide separation from motor vehicles and enhance visibility for cyclists in areas where bikes and cars may cross paths, known as "conflict zones". Space for the new bike lanes is made possible through a road diet, reducing each roadway to one travel lane in each direction with left turn lanes at major intersections. Staff recommends Council award a construction contract to VSS International, Inc. in the amount of $1,236,120 for the proposed project. The project is funded through the State's "Quick-Build" Active Transportation Program (ATP) with local match funding through the City's Measure C Bike Lane funds. BACKGROUND This design phase of the project was initiated in FY21 when the City obtained the ATP Quick-Build grant award. The preliminary engineering design and project management was completed in approximately 16 months by the City of Fresno in house design staff. The scope of the project includes the removal of all existing roadway striping and stencils, slurry-sealing the pavement, and placement of new striping along Palm Avenue, from H Street to Dakota Avenue, and Belmont Avenue, from Palm Avenue to Abby Street. The new striping, along with flexible post delineators, will create Class IV bikeways for a significant portion of the project. For other areas within the limits of work, where available space or existing driveways or bus stops prohibit the use of posts, buffered Class II bike lanes will be installed. Green Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) will also be placed within the bike lanes at all major intersections and other locations with high potential for bike and vehicle conflicts. No additional right-of-way is needed to complete this project. Public Works staff prepared the plans, specifications, and estimates for the project. The Project Labor Agreement, adopted by Council in September 2021, was not included in this project's bidding requirements as the request for construction funding was initiated in April 2021, prior to the city's adoption of the agreement. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on April 8, 2022, posted on the City's website, and distributed to 9 building exchange. The specifications were distributed to 27 prospective bidders. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and opened during a public bid opening on May 3, 2022, with bid amounts of $1,263,120 and $1,419,335. VSS International, Inc., submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $1,263,120 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire July 06, 2022. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days. Staff is recommending the award of a construction contract to VSS International, Inc. of West Sacramento, California in the amount of $1,263,120 to construct the Palm Avenue and Belmont Avenue Class IV Protected Bikeway Project, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Public Works 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 as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff performed an environmental assessment of this project and 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 roadway striping removal and replacement, and minor traffic signal improvements that do not involve 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 The local preference was not implemented because this project is state funded. FISCAL IMPACT The Palm Avenue and Belmont Avenue Class IV Protected Bikeway Project is located in Council Districts 1, 3 and 7. The overall cost of the project is $1,598,810 and is state funded by a State ATP Quick-Build grant. Required local match is funded with Local Measure C Bike Facilities. Of the overall budget of the project, $1,263,120 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. Attachments: CEQA Determination Bid Evaluation Fiscal Impact Statement Vicinity Map Standardized Contract