For City Council Meeting [September 13 ,2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Marcus Fuller, Acting City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Release of Request for Bids No. 23-012 for the Traffic Signal Modification and Median Reconfiguration at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, City Project No. 230806.
Body
BACKGROUND
On November 8, 2021, the City Council, acting in its capacity as the governing board of the Successor Agency to the Rialto Redevelopment Agency (“Agency”) and in its capacity as the City Council of the City of Rialto (“City”), approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”), by and between the Agency, the City, and NewMark Merrill Companies, Inc. (“Developer”), relating to the sale of 15.09 acres located west of Riverside Avenue and North of Valley Boulevard (the “Property”).
On January 12, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Rialto approved Precise Plan of Design 2021-0059 for a new commercial-retail shopping center (“Rialto Village”) on the property to be constructed by the Developer. The entitlement includes construction of various commercial retail buildings, drive-thru fast-food restaurants, and an automated car wash. The main access point into Rialto Village will be from the existing intersection of Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, which is currently a 3-way intersection with traffic signal control.
On March 8, 2022, the City Council approved the First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment obligated the City to, at its own cost and expense, design, construct and install a modification of the existing traffic signal at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way to add the west leg into the property, adding a northbound left turn phase and modifying the existing signal poles, mast arms and/or signal heads as necessary to make the traffic signal system fully operational, and modifying the existing raised/landscaped median on Riverside Avenue to provide a new northbound left turn signalized access into the site at Senior Way.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Staff has coordinated with Kimley-Horn for preparation of the construction plans, specifications, and estimates (bid documents) for the Traffic Signal Modification and Median Reconfiguration at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, Project No. 230806. With the City Council’s approval, the project will be advertised in the San Bernardino County Sun and also on PlanetBids.com.
The construction drawings and contract specifications for the project are identified as Request for Bids (“RFB”) No. 23-012 to formally solicit construction bids for the project. A copy of the RFB is on file with the Engineering Services Department. With City Council’s approval, Staff will proceed to bid the project and return with contract award.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Associated with the Rialto Village project, an Addendum to the previously certified Gateway Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR Addendum), was prepared in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the rules, regulations, and procedures for implementing CEQA as set forth by the City of Rialto. Section 15164(a) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that “the lead agency or a responsible agency shall prepare an addendum to a previously certified EIR if some changes or additions are necessary but none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for preparation of a subsequent EIR have occurred.”
The EIR Addendum analyzed any potential differences between the impacts identified in the Gateway Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (GSP FEIR) and those that would be associated with the Rialto Village project. Pursuant to provisions of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines, the City is the Lead Agency reviewed and approved the EIR Addendum identifying no new significant impacts that were not analyzed in the GSP FEIR, nor any substantial increases in the severity of any previously identified environmental impacts. The EIR Addendum (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2021-0061) was approved by the Planning Commission on January 12, 2022.
The Traffic Signal Modification and Median Reconfiguration at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, City Project No. 230806, will implement improvements directly related to the Rialto Village project, and the environmental impacts were analyzed as part of the EIR Addendum adopted by the City.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
The City of Rialto has also outlined key Goals and Objectives through which the City looks to minimize congestion on the local road network, create opportunities and incentives for people to avoid use of their cars for short trips, maintain a circulation system that supports local businesses’ needs. These efforts will contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to State mandates.
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
Policy 4-1.1: Establish and maintain standards for a variety of street classifications to serve both local and regional traffic, including Major Arterial Highways, Major Arterials, Secondary Arterials, Collector Streets, and Local Streets.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action will not affect the Operation Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The currently adopted project budget for the Traffic Signal Modification and Median Reconfiguration at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, City Project No. 230806 is $400,000.
Funds are budgeted and available in the amount of $400,000 within the Measure I Fund Account No. 201-500-4420-3001-230806.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax is not required for this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the City Council Authorize the Release of Request for Bids No. 23-012 for the Traffic Signal Modification and Median Reconfiguration at Riverside Avenue and Senior Way, City Project No. 230806.