REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director Department of Transportation BY: SANDY CETTI, Project Manager Department of Transportation SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Stop ADA Upgrades Phase C Project: 1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. P25-873, dated July 17, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines. 2. Award a construction contract to Juarez Brothers General Engineering INC, of Madera, California, in the amount of $507,828 for the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Stop ADA Upgrades Phase C project, within the City of Fresno, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all related documents. (Bid File #12501771) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council: 1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. P25-873, dated July 17, 2025, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines. 2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $507,828 to Juarez Brothers Engineering INC located in the city of Madera, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the construction of the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Stop ADA Upgrades Phase C project and authorize the City Manager of designee to execute all related documents. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FAX seeks to remediate 17 bus stops throughout the City of Fresno, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan adopted by Council in 2021 and the City of Fresno Standard drawings in the amount of $507,828.. These remediations will include improvements to sidewalk, curb, and gutter to provide safer and more accessible bus stops in accordance with ADA regulations. BACKGROUND Per FAX's ADA Transition Plan adopted in 2021, FAX committed to remediating ADA deficiencies at bus stops systemwide. These bus stops are prioritized according to route ridership and access to key services (healthcare, education, food, etc.). Phasing was then based on FAX's commitment to spend $500,000 annually towards the remediation of identified ADA deficiencies. The next 75 bus stops have been identified and divided into four phases labeled as Phases A, B, C, and D. Phase C work benefits 4 bus routes: 28, 32, 34, and 38. In Phase C, 17 bus stops will be remediated in three Council Districts as shown below: * District 3: 10 locations * District 4: 3 locations * District 5: 2 locations * District 7: 2 locations This project is part of FAX's efforts to improve service, provide passengers with a better overall experience and meet the Department's obligations per the ADA. The improvements will include repairs to sidewalk slopes, repair and replacement of curb and gutter, and may include the relocation of stops in order to best remediate barriers. This project does not include the installation of any new shelters, benches, or trash cans. Where these amenities exist at project locations, they will be reinstalled at the location unless doing so would violate ADA requirements. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal and posted on Planet Bids on March 24, 2025, advertised in local community groups and construction organizations, and in Mass Transit Magazine as well as the Central California Builders Exchange. Six bids were received and opened in a public bid opening on May 20, 2025. Juarez Brothers Engineering INC was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff performed a preliminary environmental assessment of the project and determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/ Class 1 (Minor alteration to existing facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities), which exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity. The proposed project is consistent with Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because the project proposes improvements to 17 existing bus stops at various locations within the city limits of Fresno and will involve negligible expansion of capacity. These improvements will add safety features and accessible pathways at each of the 17 bus stops, which will be beneficial to the public who use the FAX bus transportation system. The area in which each of the 17 existing bus stops is located is not environmentally sensitive, is served by all required utilities and public services, and is surrounded by urban uses. The proposed project includes only minor alterations and accessibility upgrades which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the respective areas or the condition of land. The proposed project will positively contribute to promoting reduction in vehicle miles traveled, automobile delays and to greenhouse gas emissions through the further development of multimodal transportation networks. Based on staff analysis, it has been determined that no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented in this procurement. FISCAL IMPACT This project has no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The contract will be funded by Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) administered by CalTrans. Attachments: Environmental Assessment No. P25-873 Bid Evaluation Map of Phase C ADA Bus Stop Upgrades List of Phase C ADA Bus Stop Upgrades