REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: NICHOLAS D. MASCIA, PE, Assistant City Manager Interim Director - Capital Projects Department BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director Department of Public Utilities BY: FRANCISCO V. MAGOS II, PE, Assistant Director Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division CHARLES MASTERS, Engineer II Capital Projects Department, Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Security Fence Improvements at Pump Stations 144, 165 and 174 Project (Bid File 12501995) (Council Districts 6,7 and Fresno County): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff's determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. WC00074-WSSIS, for the Security Fence Improvements at Pump Stations 144, 165 and 174 Project; 2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $734,497.85 to Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises, of Clovis, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Security Fence Improvements at Pump Stations 144, 165 and 174 Project. ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff's determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. WC00074-WSSIS, (2) award a construction contract in the amount of $734,497.85 to Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Security Fence Improvements at Pump Stations 144, 165 and 174 Project (Project), and authorize the Capital Projects Interim Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Capital Projects Department (CPD) seeks to award a fence replacement construction contract to Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises, of Clovis, California, following a competitive bidding process which identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $734,497.85. The Project will reduce theft and vandalism and there will be little to no impact to operations at the sites. The scope of work includes replacement of security gates, the replacement of approximately 880 linear feet of fencing and modification of approximately 470 linear feet of fencing. The scope of work also includes removal of old fencing, coordination with outside agencies as necessary, and new concrete mow strips where appropriate. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Budget within the Water Enterprise Fund. BACKGROUND In August of 2024 the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) completed an internal review of options to enhance security at public drinking water facilities. In accordance with recommendations of the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Department of Defense (DoD), steel fencing with anti-climbing curved pickets were selected to reduce incidents of break-in and theft. DPU worked with CPD to design and manage the Project. These locations were prioritized because DPU identified them as especially prone to break-in and theft. CPD worked alongside DPU to develop construction documents over the course of Fiscal Year 2025 to replace gates at all 3 locations, replace approximately 880 linear feet of fencing and modify approximately 470 linear feet of fencing. The scope of work also includes removal of old fencing, coordination with outside agencies as necessary, and new concrete mow strips where appropriate. A Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published on the City's website and Planet Bids on March 25, 2025. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to 22 prospective bidders and posted at nine (9) Building Exchanges. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on April 22, 2025, with bids ranging from $719,551.00 to $734,497.85. Pursuant to Section 4-108(d) of the Fresno Municipal Code, a 5% local preference was applied to Golden Bay Fence Plus Iron Works, Inc., establishing Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $734,497.85. The bids are set to expire on June 25, 2025. If the bids are rejected or expire, the Project must be rebid which will result in a delay to the Project. The Community Workforce Agreement (PLA), adopted by Council in September 2021, does not apply to this contract because the engineer's estimate for this Project was less than $1 million, pursuant to the terms of the PLA. To maintain security of the City water system, Staff recommends City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff's determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. WC00074-WSSIS, and approve a construction contract in the amount of $734,497.85 to Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Project. Staff further recommends authorization of the Capital Projects Interim Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City. The Project will improve the safety and reliability of water services in the area by improving security at each well site. The construction contract will be funded utilizing appropriations adopted in the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Budget within the Water Enterprise Fund. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the contract documents as to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has reviewed the scope and nature of this Project and determined that it is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines. These exemptions apply because the improvements to the Project do not expand any existing facilities. Existing fencing will be replaced or modified in place. These facilities will be located on the same site as the structures being replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced and will involve negligible expansion of existing use. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was implemented in the selection process and the contract was granted to Harris Development Corp dba HBC Enterprises, a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code. FISCAL IMPACT The Security Fence Improvements at Pump Stations 144, 165 and 174 Project is located in Council Districts 6, 7 and unincorporated Fresno County, respectively, and will have no impact on the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Budget within the Water Enterprise Fund. Attachments: Environmental Assessment Bid Evaluation Fiscal Impact Statement Standardized Construction Contract Vicinity Map Location Maps