For City Council Meeting June 11, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Request City Council to 1) Award a Construction Contract to Wheeler Paving Inc. in the Amount of $407,872.70 for the Construction of the Sycamore Avenue Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Improvements Project, City Project No. 220802; and 2) Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award a Construction Contract to Wheeler Paving Inc., in the amount of $407,872.70 for the Construction of the Sycamore Safe Routes To Schools Project, City Project No. 220802; and
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute all Related Documents.
BACKGROUND
On July 13, 2021, the City Council authorized Staff to submit applications through the San Bernardo County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) from the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Call for Projects with reference to the City's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan which identifies issues and opportunities related to suggested routes for walking and bicycling. Using the SRTS Plan, the two (2) highest-ranked priority locations, Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements and Merrill Avenue Safe Routes to School Improvements near Morgan Elementary School and Boyd Elementary School, were selected.
On November 3, 2021, the SBCTA Board of Directors approved projects submitted for TDA Article 3 Call for Projects, which included the SRTS Improvements Project in the amount of $457,615.89.
On February 8, 2022, the City Council accepted the SBCTA TDA Article Grant Funding for the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Project.
On February 28, 2023, the City Council authorized a purchase order to Proactive Engineering Consultants in the amount of $135,500 for the design of the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements Project, City Project No. 220802.
Staff coordinated with Proactive Engineering Consultants to prepare the construction plans, specifications, and estimates per their On-Call Professional Civil Engineering Services Agreement with the City.
On January 23, 2024, the City Council authorized the release of Request for Bids, RFB No. 24-018, for the Construction of the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements Project, City Project No. 220802.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements project includes the construction of curb ramps, sidewalk, driveways, parkway improvements, signing and striping along N. Sycamore Avenue from Walnut Avenue to north of Baseline Road as depicted in the project map below.
On April 15, 2024, the City released RFB No. 24-018 for the Construction of the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements Project, City Project No. 220802, and published the Notice Inviting Bids in the San Bernardino County Sun Newspaper and on the PlanetBids.com website.
On May 15th, 2024, the City received seven (7) bids, tabulated in Table 1 below:
A full bid summary is included as Attachment 1. The engineer’s estimate was $310,000.00 to $360,000.00. The lowest responsible and responsive bid was $407,872.70, submitted by Wheeler Paving Inc. of Riverside, CA. Staff reviewed the bid and found Wheeler Paving Inc. to be properly licensed and qualified. Wheeler Paving’s Disclosure Statement, Contractor’s License, and DIR Verification documents are included as Attachment 2. Staff recommends that the City Council accept the bid received from Wheeler Paving Inc. as the lowest responsible and responsive bid. A construction contract with Wheeler Paving Inc. for the project is included as Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires that the guidelines for implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (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, the construction of the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Project, City Project No. 220802 is considered categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff has prepared and filed a Notice of Exemption for the project, included as Attachment 4.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. 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 4-4: Protect school children and others from traffic hazards around schools.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Goal 4-9: Promote walking.
Policy 4-9.1: Install sidewalks where they are missing and make improvements to existing sidewalks for accessibility purposes. Priority should be given to needed sidewalk improvement near schools and activity centers. Provide wider sidewalks in areas with higher pedestrian volumes.
Policy 4-9.3: Provide pedestrian-friendly and safety improvements, such as crosswalks and pedestrian signals, in all pedestrian activity areas.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget:
The proposed action does not impact the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact:
The currently adopted project budget for the Sycamore Avenue SRTS Improvements Project, City Project No. 220802 is $915,231.78 in the TDA Article 3 funding, Account No. 22047326-53001-220802 and in Measure I, Account No. 22014310-53001-220802. The project current has a remaining budget of $716,437.75.
The funds for the award of the construction contract with Wheeler Paving, Inc. in the amount of $407,872.70 are available in the TDA Article 3 Grant Fund, Account 22047326-53001-220802-22.
Licensing:
A Business License tax at the Professional Service rate in the amount of $100 based on the construction amount of $407,872.70 will be assessed against the project and paid by interoffice transfer.