REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL December 8, 2016 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Capital Management Division LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager Public Works Department, Capital Management Division ERNESTO GARCIA, Supervising Engineering Technician Public Works Department, Capital Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation - Project Bid File No. 3454 (Council District 1) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1 Section 15301(c) (existing facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation 2. Award a construction contract to Kertel Communications Inc., dba Sebastian of Fresno, California, for $357,907 for the Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Class 1 Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines and award a construction contract for $357,907 to Kertel Communications Inc., dba Sebastian of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the contract on the City's behalf. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Currently, Clinton Avenue at Thorne Avenue is an uncontrolled intersection and a designated school route to access Hamilton Elementary School to the south. In 2014 the City received approval of a grant under the Active Transportation Program (ATP) for a new Traffic Signal at Clinton and Thorne Avenues. The proposed improvements will provide more efficient vehicle movement through the intersection and improved safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. BACKGROUND The proposed Traffic Signal at Clinton and Thorne Avenues will assist pedestrians crossing Clinton Avenue. The uncontrolled intersection at Thorne Avenue is a designated school route to access Hamilton Elementary School to the south. The installation of the new signal will be a dedicated traffic light to stop vehicles and allow pedestrians to cross Clinton Avenue with their own dedicated pedestrian phase. This will alleviate and reduce the current vehicle pedestrian conflicts at the intersection. The scope of the project includes installation of a new traffic signal with phasing for a dedicated pedestrian street crossing, new crosswalks, minor pavement repair, ADA-compliant curb ramps, signing and pavement striping. Public Works Design Section staff prepared project plans and specifications and a Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on September 21, 2016, posted on the City's website and faxed to ten building exchanges. The bid specifications were distributed to eighteen (18) prospective bidders. Three sealed bid proposals were received and opened at a public bid opening on October 25, 2016, with bids ranging from $357,907 to $417,000. The bid in the amount of $357,907, submitted by Kertel Communications Inc., dba Sebastian of Fresno, was deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The bids will expire in sixty-four days as of the bid opening of October 25, 2016. Staff recommends awarding a construction contract to Kertel Communications Inc., dba Sebastian of Fresno, in the amount of $357,907 to construct the Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation and authorize the Public Works Director, or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno. 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(c) (existing facilities), which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, which includes existing streets, sidewalk and gutters, and no further expansion of existing use, because the project includes installation of traffic signal facilities, crosswalks, ADA curb access, signage and pavement striping to improve safety. 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 Local preference was not used based on conditions of State and Federal funding. FISCAL IMPACT The Clinton and Thorne Traffic Signal Installation is located in District 1. The overall budget for the project is $478,300 and is funded by $423,438 in ATP Regional Bid funds (state and federal) and $54,862 local Traffic Signal Mitigation Impact Fee funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget for the project, $357,907 will be used for the construction contract award. Attachment: Bid Evaluation Fiscal Impact Statement Vicinity Map Standardize Contract