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 Blythe Avenue and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project - Bid File 3845 (Council District 2): 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 $507,777 to Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. of Compton, California ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, award a construction contract with Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. of Compton, California in the amount of $507,777 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Blythe Avenue and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project, and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The proposed Blythe Avenue and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project will enhance safety for the motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who travel through this intersection every day by signalizing the existing intersection as well as correcting ADA accessibility deficiencies. The scope of work includes the construction of a new traffic signal system that will introduce protected left-turns for all directions of travel, remove and replace all existing return ramps, and place striping to create a bike lane at the intersection where a bike lane does not currently exist in the northbound direction. No additional right-of-way was needed to complete this project. The project is completely funded using SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. BACKGROUND The design phase of the project was initiated in FY21 when the Blythe Avenue and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Project was included in the SB1 project list. The scope of the project includes the installation of a traffic signal with protected left-turn phasing and signage for all directions of travel. ADA accessibility improvements will include removal and replacement of the existing pedestrian ramps at all pedestrian crossing locations at the intersection. No additional right-of-way was needed to complete this project. Striping and signage will be replaced as necessary to add pedestrian crosswalks at the intersection and bike lanes along Gates Avenue where they currently do not exist. The preliminary engineering design and project management was completed over an 18 month period by City of Fresno staff. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on February 2, 2022, posted on the City's website, and distributed to 30 building exchange. The specifications were distributed to 9 prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened during a public bid opening on March 15, 2022, with bids ranging from $507,777 to $717,771. Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $507,777 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire on May 18, 2022; if the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days. The Community Workforce Agreement, adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this project because the engineer's estimate for this project was less than $1,000,000, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Staff recommends Council award a construction contract with Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc., in the amount of $507,777 for the Blythe Avenue and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. These exemptions apply because this project involves the reconstruction of existing accessible ramps and traffic signal construction that does 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 Purchasing applied Local Preference during the evaluation of bids but after the 5% price adjustment was made, the bid from Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc., remained the lowest responsible and responsive bid for the project. FISCAL IMPACT The Blythe and Gates Avenue Traffic Signal Improvement Project is located in Council District 2. The overall cost of the project is $746,000 and is locally funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) revenue. Of the overall budget of the project, $507,777 will be used for the construction contract award. The project will have no impact to the General Fund. Attachments: CEQA Environmental Assessment Vicinity Map Bid Evaluation Fiscal Impact Statement Standardized Contract