REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager Interim Director, Capital Projects Department SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Assistant Director Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division JASON MILLER, PE, Licensed Professional Engineer Capital Projects Department, Design Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs project (Bid File No. 12700027) (Council District 3) Adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01071, dated June 8, 2026, a finding of Categorical Exemption for the proposed project pursuant to Section 15301/Class1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines ***RESOLUTION – Adopting the 10th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 to appropriate $1,098,300 for the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs project in the Public Works Department (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto) Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $1,098,260.85 to Power Design Electric, Inc. of Kingsburg, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01071, dated June 8, 2026, a finding of Categorical Exemption for the proposed project pursuant to Section 15301/Class1 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines, (2) adopt the 10th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2026-159 appropriating $1,098,300 for the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs project, and (3) award a Construction Contract in the amount of $1,098,260.85 to Power Design Electric, Inc., of Kingsburg, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City seeks to award a Construction Contract (Contract) to Power Design Electric, Inc., of Kingsburg, CA, for the construction of the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs project (Project). This Contract includes the installation of three High-intensity Activated cross WalK (HAWK) pedestrian traffic signals at the intersections of North Abby Street and East Harvey Avenue, North Abby Street and East Clay Avenue, and North Blackstone Avenue and East Illinois Avenue. The Project also includes reconstruction of accessible pedestrian ramps and sidewalk, minor road work, driveways, concrete curb and gutter, lighting, landscaping and irrigation, and signage and striping. This Contract is for $1,098,260.85 and is fully funded by State of California Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding. Council adoption of the environmental findings, adoption of 10th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159, and award of the Contract will allow the project to progress to the construction phase. BACKGROUND The City of Fresno was awarded State of California Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding for the Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs Project (Project), which will construct three High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) pedestrian traffic signals at the following locations within Council District 3: Location Cross Streets HAWK Signal 1 North Abby Street and East Harvey Avenue HAWK Signal 2 North Abby Street and East Clay Avenue HAWK Signal 3 North Blackstone Avenue and East Illinois Avenue The Department of Public Works selected these locations based on observed pedestrian traffic patterns between nearby schools and surrounding neighborhoods, with the goal of enhancing safety for students and area residents. The City's ATP application was submitted pursuant to the Council's authorization to apply for ATP grant funds, consistent with the City's commitment to funding infrastructure and educational programming that supports multimodal commuting choices for residents. All topographic survey, engineering design, and project management tasks were completed by the Capital Projects Department (CPD) on behalf of the Department of Public Works. The preliminary engineering and project management phase took approximately two years months to complete; a timeline consistent with similar ATP-funded pedestrian safety projects delivered by the City. Two Temporary Construction Easements were acquired from parcels 459-25-128 and 459-33-101, located at the northeast corner of North Blackstone Avenue and East Illinois Avenue, to accommodate the accessibility improvements required for the Project. All right-of-way phase work was completed by CPD staff. In addition to the installation of the three HAWK pedestrian traffic signals, the Project scope includes the reconstruction of existing pedestrian ramps, crosswalk and lane striping, signage, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and lighting to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and Public Works standards. These improvements are consistent with the City's approach on comparable ATP-funded projects, which routinely incorporate reconstruction of these types of improvements to ensure ADA and Building Code compliance. The Project also includes a "non-infrastructure" component funded under the ATP grant scope of work, consisting of two pedestrian/bicycle safety skills classes and one "Walk to School" day event. These activities are not associated with the Construction Contract but will be scheduled to coincide with the construction timeline in Spring/Summer 2027. Public Works staff will coordinate and perform this work. Construction funding for the Project was approved by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) at its March 19, 2026, meeting. Staff prepared a Notice Inviting Bids, which was published in the Fresno Business Journal on July 7, 2026, posted on the City's website, and distributed to two (2) building exchanges. Project plans and specifications were distributed to fourteen (14) prospective bidders. Five (5) sealed bid proposals were received and opened at a public bid opening on July 28, 2026, with bids ranging from $1,098,260.85 to $1,475,236.00. Power Design Electric, Inc., of Kingsburg, California, submitted the low bid of $1,098,260.85 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Power Design Electric, Inc. has previously performed HAWK signal and pedestrian signalization work for the City. The bids expire on September 30, 2026; if the bids are rejected or allowed to expire, the Project must be rebid, resulting in an estimated delay of approximately 90 days. The Construction Contract of $1,098,260.85 is fully funded by ATP grant funds, with no impact to the General Fund. The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by City Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract due to suspension of FHWA PLA approval in 2025. The Building Trades Council provided concurrence. Staff recommends that the Council adopt Environmental Assessment No. PW01071, dated June 8, 2026, a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, adopt the 10th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159, appropriating $1,098,300, award a Construction Contract in the amount of $1,098,260.85 to Power Design Electric, Inc., of Kingsburg, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign the Contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. With approval of these actions, Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2027. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved Environmental Assessment No. PW01071 and the Standardized Construction Contract as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and determined it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 (Minor alteration to existing facilities). The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. Examples include but are not limited to: (c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety). The proposed project is consistent with Section 15301/Class 1 exemption because the project is proposing alterations to existing utilities and street improvements facilities and structures which are existing streets, sidewalk and similar facilities. The proposed improvements are minor and do not constitute an expansion of use. No additional traffic or associated traffic impacts will result from the addition of safety and operational upgrades. Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because this contract uses State of California Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding. FISCAL IMPACT The Downtown Neighborhood HAWKs project is in Council District 3. The overall cost of the project is $1,625,008.00 and is fully funded by a State ATP grant. This project will have no impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget, $1,098,260.85 is allocated for the Construction Contract award. Adoption of attached Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 will appropriate the necessary funding to award the project in the current fiscal year. Attachments: Notice of Exemption Environmental Assessment No. PW01071 10th Amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2026-159 Formal Procurement Evaluation Standardized Construction Contract Vicinity Map