REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager Interim Director Capital Projects Department SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Department of Public Works BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Assistant Director Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division GUSTAVO RANGEL, Project Manager Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project (Bid File 12602037) (Council District 4) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1, and Section 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 8th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 to appropriate $850,700 for the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancement Project in the Public Works Department (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor's Veto) 3. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $945,221 to Avison Construction Incorporated, of Madera, California ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the City Council 1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1, and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; 2) adopt the 8th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 appropriating $850,700 for the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project, and 3) award a Construction Contract with Avison Construction Incorporated of Madera, California in the amount of $945,221 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the Construction Contract on behalf of the City. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) seeks to award a contract for the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project (Project), identified through the September 2020 Systemic Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) and funded by a grant through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. The LRSP was developed to identify and implement systemic countermeasures to target areas emphasized in the report, with the goal of reducing fatal and severe injury collisions. The LRSP used roadway characteristics and conditions, and citywide collision patterns and trends from 2014 - 2018 to develop a list of citywide high-risk corridors and intersections, focusing on locations that would benefit the most from transportation safety improvements. The LRSP developed a list of the top 20 priority locations based on the data collected in 2014-2018, a collision severity score, and collision types and factors. The intersections of Cedar Avenue and Shields Avenue and Cedar Avenue and Fountain Way intersections were identified in LRSP and awarded HSIP and RMRA funds to install systemic countermeasures at each location. These countermeasures include retroreflective signal backplates, advance stop bars, and advanced video detection system at the Cedar Avenue and Shields Avenue intersection, and new intersection lighting, a marked pedestrian crossing, and a High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) at the Cedar Avenue and Fountain Way intersection. These improvements will reinforce safety by enhancing pedestrian crossings and support the City Council's Safe Routes to School priorities. BACKGROUND The Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project (Project) was identified through the City's Systemic Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). Using annual traffic counts, collision reports, and engineering analysis conducted by the Traffic Operations and Planning Division, both locations were prioritized for safety upgrades due to repeated pedestrian and bicycle crashes, including multiple fatalities. The Project was designed and managed by staff from the Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division. Design work commenced in August 2024 and took approximately 21 months to complete. The scope of the Project includes installation of retroreflective signal backplates, advance stop bars, and implementation of Leading Pedestrian Intervals at the Cedar Avenue and Shields Avenue intersection to improve visibility and reduce conflicts at this busy signalized intersection. At the Cedar Avenue and Fountain Way intersection, improvements include new intersection lighting, a marked pedestrian crossing, ADA curb ramp reconstruction, and installation of a High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) pedestrian traffic signal to address uncontrolled pedestrian movements and prevent collisions. These enhancements will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists along the Cedar Avenue corridor and support the City Council's Safe Routes to School priorities. The Project is fully funded through a grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and includes local match funding from the Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Repair and Accountability Act (RMRA) account. The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on May 29, 2026, and posted on the City's website. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in the public bid opening on July 7, 2026, with bids ranging from $945,221 to $1,306,567. Avison Construction Incorporated, of Madera, CA was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire on September 9, 2026, 64 days after the bid opening. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project will be rebid, resulting in a delay of approximately 90 days. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1, and Section 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, adopt the 8th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 appropriating $850,700 for the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project, and award a Construction Contract to Avison Construction Incorporated, in the amount of $945,221 to construct the Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and to authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute the Standardized Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. 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. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the Contract as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff conducted a preliminary environmental review of the project and determined that it qualifies for Categorical Exemptions under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction). The proposed work consists of safety improvements to existing public facilities, including the installation of retroreflective backplates, advance stop bars and high-visibility crosswalks, leading pedestrian intervals, intersection lighting, a new HAWK pedestrian traffic signal, and reconstruction of curb returns to meet ADA requirements. These improvements do not represent an expansion of use and will enhance the public right-of-way without increasing roadway capacity. Additionally, staff has confirmed that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions outlined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable as Avison Construction Incorporated, of Madera, CA is a local business as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code 4-108(d). FISCAL IMPACT The Cedar Avenue at Shields Avenue and Fountain Way Intersection Enhancements Project is located in Council District 4. The overall cost of the project is $1,386,690 and is funded with a State of California HSIP grant. Required local match is being met by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. Of the overall budget of the project, $945,221 will be used for the Construction Contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. Adoption of the attached AAR amendment resolution will appropriate the necessary funding to award the project in the current fiscal year. Attachments: Environmental Assessment PW01065 8th Amendment to Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2026-159 Standardized Construction Contract Formal Procurement Evaluation Vicinity Map