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 JOHN STANBOULIAN, Public Works Manager Public Works Department, Traffic Operations Center SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Jensen Avenue Corridor Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Adaptive Project from Elm Avenue to Temperance Avenue - Bid File 3867 (Council Districts 3 and 5): 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 $2,574,600.00 to Audeamus, dba Sebastian, of Fresno, 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 Audeamus, dba Sebastian, of Fresno, CA, in the amount of $2,574,600.00 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and authorize the Public Works Director or his designee to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Jensen Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptative Project will make improvements to 13 intersections along Jensen Avenue, from Elm Avenue to Temperance Avenue, by improving each intersection's ability to operate more efficiently and communicate with the City's Traffic Operations Center. The project will provide the corridor with the necessary ITS infrastructure improvements for the deployment of an adaptive traffic synchronization system, to reduce idling, reduce emissions and improve travel time along the corridor. Separate from this contract, but as part of the overall Jensen Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptive Project, staff will be bringing to Council a contract for the purchase of the traffic signal adaptive modules. The project is completely funded by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). BACKGROUND This design phase of the project was initiated in FY21 when the City of Fresno secured CMAQ grant funding. The preliminary engineering design and project management was completed over 15 months by City of Fresno staff. The scope of the project proposes technology improvements at intersections along Jensen Avenue, from Elm Avenue to Temperance Avenue. These improvements include advanced traffic signal controllers, vehicle detection upgrades, cameras for remote viewing of traffic at each intersection, and networking equipment combined with fiber-optic and wireless infrastructure will allow for real-time communication and coordination with the Traffic Operations Center. Separate from this contract, but as part of the overall Jensen Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptive Project, staff will be bringing to Council a contract for the purchase of the traffic signal adaptive modules. Associated work includes the removal and reconstruction of damaged drive approaches, accessible ramps, and sidewalks. No changes to the existing local roadway street widths are proposed and no right-of-way is needed for this construction. The Project Labor Agreement, adopted by Council in September 2021, was not included in this project's bidding requirements as the construction funding authorization did not include provisions for the Project Labor Agreement. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved as to form. A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on March 23, 2022, posted on the City's website, and distributed to eight (8) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to 43 prospective bidders. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and opened during a public bid opening on April 26, 2022, with bids ranging from $2,574,600.00 to $3,306,810.50. Audeamus, dba Sebastian, submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $2,574,600.00 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. The bids will expire on June 29, 2022. If the bids are rejected or expire, the project must be rebid, which will result in a delay of approximately 90 days. 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, which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of an existing facility. This exception applies because this project involves improvement efficiently of an existing roadway through coordination the operation of existing traffic signals to reduce congestion without expansion of the roadway. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exceptions set forth in the CEQA Guideless, Section 15300.2 apply to this project LOCAL PREFERENCE The local preference was not implemented because this project is federally funded. FISCAL IMPACT The Jensen Avenue Corridor ITS Adaptive Project from Elm Avenue to Temperance Avenue is located in Council Districts 3 and 5. The overall cost of the project is $3,588,600.00 and is 100% federally funded by Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) grant. Of the overall budget of the project, $2,574,600.00 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