REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director General Services Department BY: ROBIN O'MALLEY, Facilities Manager General Services Department, Facilities Management Division DEBBIE BERNARD, Project Manager General Services Department, Facilities Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Fresno Water Tower Electrical Upgrade project: 1. Adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301(a) Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. Award a construction contract to Art's Construction Co., Inc. of Fresno, California, in the amount of $695,000 for the construction of the Fresno Water Tower Electrical Upgrade project (Bid File 12301487)(District 3) 3. Authorize the Director of General Services or designee to execute all related documents ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council adopt a finding of a Categorical Exemption and award a construction contract to Art's Construction Co., Inc. of Fresno, California, for $695,000 for the Water Tower Electrical Upgrade project and authorize the Director of General Services or designee to execute all related documents. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Old Fresno Water Tower was built in 1894 and was in constant use as a water supply to downtown Fresno until 1963. The City of Fresno has entered into an agreement with a local entrepreneur to run a coffee bar/caf� within the water tower. The existing electrical service is operating at maximum capacity and cannot support the necessary electrical loads needed for the tenant. Therefore, this project will increase the available electrical service with a new PG&E transformer and upgrade all associated electrical panels and switchboards, as required for the tenant to operate a coffee bar/caf�. BACKGROUND The Fresno Water Tower was built in 1894 and was in constant use until 1963, when the pumping machinery was no longer adequate. The water tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. In 2001, the second floor was removed, and the interior of the tower remodeled to become the visitors' center for the City and County of Fresno. As part of this remodeling a landscaped plaza and separate restroom building, which contains the electrical panels for the water tower as well as the entire Eaton Plaza, were built adjacent to the tower. The existing service is operating at maximum capacity and the only option for the City is to seek additional power from PG&E and upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure. The City of Fresno recently entered into an agreement to lease the water tower to a local coffee bar/caf� entrepreneur as part of the downtown revitalization movement. The existing PG&E electrical service available cannot support the necessary electrical loads for the tenant. This project will increase the available electrical service with a new PG&E transformer, new main switchboard, and new electrical panels to allow the coffee bar/caf� to be on their own service, separate from the City's service at Eaton Plaza. Plans and specifications were prepared by John Borrelli and Associates, Inc., and a Notice Inviting Bids was published on May 15, 2023, and distributed to nine (9) building exchanges and posted on the City's website. The specifications were distributed to 22 prospective bidders. Three on-line bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on June 20, 2023, with bid amounts ranging from $695,000 to $1,122,000. Staff has determined that Art's Construction Co., Inc. is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has determined that a Categorical Exemption is appropriate, based on Section 15301(a) Existing Facilities of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301(a) exempts interior or exterior alterations involving such things as electrical conveyances. 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. Staff recommends Council, based upon its own independent judgment, adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(a) of the CEQA Guidelines for the Fresno Water Tower Electrical Upgrades project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not implemented as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local company as defined by FMC Section 4-108. FISCAL IMPACT No general funds shall be used for this project. The total cost of this project is being funded by Facilities operating funds as appropriated in the FY24 adopted budget. Attachments: Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement Standard Contract