For City Council Meeting [January 23, 2024]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Arron Brown, Acting City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Release of Bids for Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project, City Project No. 240803.
Body
BACKGROUND
On July 25, 2023, the City Council awarded a construction contract to I E General Engineering in the amount of $577,710 for the Baseline Road Median Project, City Project No. 170812, Federal Project No. HSIP 5205-027. At the time of the award, staff made the recommendation not to award an additive bid schedule to install median fencing on Baseline Road in the amount of $592,400 because it was anticipated that staff could obtain better construction pricing if the project were to be designed and constructed as a separate project.
By separately bidding the current design of the Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project as a stand-alone project, construction costs are currently anticipated to be approximately $450,000, an estimated savings of $142,000.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The proposed Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project (Project) scope consists of extending the raised median on Baseline Road between Lilac Avenue and Willow Avenue to install a fence barrier within the median to deter pedestrians from unsafely crossing the roadway outside of the signalized pedestrian crosswalks at Lilac Avenue and Willow Avenue in the proximity of Eisenhower High School. An image of the Project site is depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Pursuant to their on-call contract for Professional Services, Michael Baker International was issued a purchase order in the amount of $13,551 under the City Manager’s signature authority for the design of the median extension and fence installation.
Michael Baker International has completed the final plans, specifications, and estimate. The project is ready for advertisement for construction bids. A copy of their Disclosure Statement is included in Attachment 1. Project construction costs are currently anticipated to cost approximately $450,000.
The tentative timeline for the construction award is as follows:
Anticipate Release of Bids to be Issued February 2024
Anticipate Award by City Council April 2024
Anticipate Start of Construction May 2024
Anticipate Construction Completion July 2024
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires that the guidelines for implementation of the California Environmental Quality (CEQA) include a list of classes of projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and which shall, therefore, be exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In response to that mandate, the Secretary for Resources identified classes of projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment and are declared categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with 14 CCR Section 15301 “Existing Facilities,” Class 1 projects consist of the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures and facilities’ therefore, Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project, City Project No. 240803 is considered categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff has prepared and will file a Notice of Exemption for the Project.
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.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
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 Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The estimated total cost for the Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project, City Project No. 240803, is $540,000, which includes construction management and the design costs mentioned previously in this report. The funds required for this project are available and have been budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund, Account No. 33007305-53001. These funds have become available as a result of savings on recently completed projects. A budget resolution will not be required for this action.
Licensing
A business license or payment of applicable fees are not required for this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the release of bids for the Baseline Road Median Fence Improvement Project, City Project No. 240803.