REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: KEVIN R. MEIKLE, Director of Aviation Airports Department THROUGH: MARK W. DAVIS, Airports Planning Manager Airports Department BY: ELODIA CAVAZOS, Acoustical Program Coordinator Airports Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport SMART Program Bid File No. 3817 (Council District 4): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (a) and (d) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines 2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,755,000 to S&L Specialty Construction, of Syracuse, New York for the acoustic treatment of 40 homes in the vicinity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and authorize the Director of Aviation, or designee, to execute a construction contract with S&L Specialty Construction, of Syracuse, New York, in the amount of $1,755,000 for the acoustic treatment of 40 homes in the vicinity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The FAT Residential Sound Insulation Program is part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved 14 CFR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program that provides funding to reduce interior noise levels in homes located within a designated noise impacted area around FAT. This ongoing effort, locally known as the SMART Program, provides acoustic windows, doors and other noise reducing measures to eligible homes in the vicinity of FAT. Award of this contract represents the Department's continuing commitment to improve the quality of life for residents living near FAT. BACKGROUND The Airports Department (Department) has acoustically treated 1,201 homes since inception of the SMART Program in 1994. The Program is available to property owners of single-family residences located within a 65 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) boundary around FAT as determined by a FAA approved Noise Exposure Map (NEM). The 65 CNEL is established through a FAA noise modeling program that considers several factors, including: (i) noise monitoring around the airport, (ii) types of aircraft using FAT, and, (iii) frequency and time of flights. The FAA requires the NEM to be periodically updated. This involves public input and was most recently completed in 2018. Plans and specifications were prepared by CSDA Design Group to provide acoustic treatment for 40 homes. A Notice Inviting Bids was advertised in the Business Journal on July 26, 2021 and posted on the Department's website and Planet Bids with nine Builders' Exchanges and 20 prospective bidders receiving the Project plans and specifications. Three bids were received and opened by telephone and video conferencing on August 24, 2021, ranging from $1,755,000 to $2,415,680.10. The lowest responsible and responsive bid from S&L Specialty Construction in the amount of $1,755,000 is 10.75% above the engineer's estimate ($1,584,673), due to COVID related material availability. The project budget enables the Department to recommend award to S&L Specialty Construction in the amount of $1,755,000 which is the total net base bid amount for 20 homes plus Additive Alternates No. 20 through No. 40, for a total of 40 homes. The FAA has allowed the use of AIP noise grants over multiple years, which enables the award of all 40 homes in this bid group. The staff determination was posted on the City website on October 12, 2021. The FAA concurs with this recommendation. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this Project and has determined that it falls within the Class 1 Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15301 (a) and (d) (Existing Facilities), as this contract involves minor alterations of existing private structures with no expansion of use and would not result in any significant negative effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project. The SMART Program has been assessed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) resulting in a finding of no significant impact. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented on this project due to bidding/contracting conditions of the Federal grant. FISCAL IMPACT Funding for this Project is provided by FAA Airport Improvement Program grant funds and is included in the FY 2022 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund or City of Fresno ratepayers from this action. Attachments: Site Map Evaluation of Bid Proposals Bid Tabulation