For City Council Meeting [April 28, 2020]
TO: Honorable City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Manager
FROM: Savat Khamphou, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Release of Request for Bids No. 20-053 for the Construction of Protected-Only Left Turn Signal Phasing and Signal Hardware Improvements at Four (4) Intersections, City Project No 170811.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On March 28, 2017, the City Council accepted a grant awarded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 8 from the Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (FSTIP) in the amount of $990,000 to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians traveling at four (4) intersections within the City and installation of protected-only left turn signal phasing. The intersection locations were identified by the City as the most critical intersections through the Traffic Injury Mapping System that would achieve the best opportunity for the competitive grant because it achieved a high benefit to cost ratio. The following is a list of the intersections that were applied for and approved for funding:
1. Baseline Road and Sycamore Avenue (E-W Direction)
2. Baseline Road and Eucalyptus Avenue (E-W Direction)
3. Etiwanda Avenue and Cedar Avenue (N-S Direction)
4. Riverside Avenue and Alder Avenue(N-Direction)
On June 27, 2017, the City Council awarded a design contract to Albert Grover & Associates (AGA) in the amount $48,800. On March 14, 2019, Caltrans approved the environmental document, clearing the way for the City to apply for construction funding. On February 6, 2020, Caltrans authorized construction funding in the amount of $890,000 for the construction phase of the project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The contract documents (plans and specifications) prepared by AGA have been reviewed and approved by Caltrans and the Public Works Director/City Engineer.
The scope of the work consists of new protected - left-turn only signal heads to be installed with new poles. The proposed improvements will enhance safety by reducing conflicts and right-of-way violations between left turn vehicles and through traffic as well as improve pedestrian safety at the intersections.
With the City Council’s approval, staff will advertise the project in the San Bernardino County Sun and make the contract documents available on Planet Bids.com. A copy of the contract documents is on file with the Engineering Division. The following tentative schedule has been identified for the bid process:
RFB 20-053 posted and issued May 5, 2020
Deadline for receipt of bids: 3:00 PM, May 27, 2020
Contract awarded by City Council: June 23, 2020
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Section 21084 of the California Public Resources Code requires Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Guidelines are required to include a list of classes of projects which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and which are 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 to be categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents. In accordance with Section 15301 “Existing Facilities,” Class 1 projects consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or typographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. Therefore, staff has determined that the Protected-Only Left Turn Signal Phasing and Signal Hardware Improvements, City Project No. 170811 is considered categorically exempt from CEQA and a Notice of Exemption (NOE) has been prepared and filed with the San Bernardino County Clerk. A copy of NOE is included as Attachment 1.
The Project is funded by federal funds, requiring local oversight by Caltrans. As a federally funded project, the Project is subject to environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On March 14, 2019 Caltrans, acting as the lead agency pursuant to NEPA, made an environmental determination that the Project does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the environment as defined by NEPA and is excluded from the requirements to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and there are no unusual circumstances pursuant to Section 6004 of 23 CFR 771.117(b). On the basis of this determination under federal delegation pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 23, United States Code, Section 326 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated June 7, 2013, executed between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the State of California, Caltrans has determined that the Project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion in accordance with 23 CFR 771.117(c) pursuant to activity (c)(3). A copy of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion is included as Attachment 2.
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 3-6: Require that all developed areas within Rialto are adequately served with essential public services and infrastructure.
Policy 3-6.1: Coordinate all development proposals with other affected public entities to ensure the provision of adequate public facilities and infrastructure services.
Goal 3-7: Upgrade public infrastructure as an inducement to promote private investment.
Policy 3-7.1: Link redevelopment tools with the processes of community facilities district formation and other similar funds to improve roadway and utility systems in areas with the greatest need for upgrades.
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 City has received a federal HSIP grant of $990,000 for the Project. Table 1 below shows project costs for the construction of Protected-Only Left Turn Signal Phasing and Signal Hardware Improvements at Four (4) Intersections, City Project No 170811.
Table 1
Licensing
The proposed action will not require any licensing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that City Council Authorize the Release of Request for Bids No 20-053 for the Construction of Protected-Only Left Turn Signal Phasing and Signal Hardware Improvements at Four (4) Intersections, City Project No 170811.