Fremont City Council Meeting: 01/09/24 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5070) DOC ID: 5070
Updated: 1/5/2024 11:59 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
PROTECTED INTERSECTION PROJECT AT FREMONT/COUNTRY - Approval of Plans and Specifications; Award Contract to GradeTech, Inc. in the Amount of $1,755,135.72 (includes 10% Contingency) for the Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive Protected Intersection Project (PWC9050); Appropriation Actions; and Make Findings of CEQA Exemption
Contact Persons:
Name: Edelzar Garcia Hans Larsen
Title: Associate Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4781 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to initiate the construction of a multimodal safety improvement project at the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive. Funding is partially provided from a Safe Routes to Schools Mini-Grant and State Transportation Development Act funds. The project is part of an ongoing series of investments that are transforming Fremont Boulevard from a historically auto-oriented thoroughfare into a “complete street” that supports safe and convenient mobility by all travel modes. The project is intended to substantially improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access to Washington High School.
BACKGROUND: In 2021, the City of Fremont received a competitive grant through the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Mini-Grant Program to enhance access and safety for Washington High School students at the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive. The City also received non-competitive grant funds through the State Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA3) for bicycle and pedestrian projects. On May 2, 2023, the City Council adopted a resolution to accept the TDA3 grant funds in support for the project.
This project will provide enhanced safety and comfort for students walking, bicycling, and connecting with transit to access Washington High School and it also supports multimodal travel along the Fremont Boulevard Transit Priority Corridor. The intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive has small “pork chop” islands that are typically used as pedestrian waiting areas for students wanting to cross the street at the intersection. During various points of the school day, these pork chop islands overflow with students so that students are waiting in the vehicle travel lanes and exposed to vehicle traffic. The Project consists of the construction of protected intersection corners with enlarged, elevated curb returns that minimize vehicular conflict with pedestrians and bicyclists. The work, in general, includes removing the existing pork chop islands and replacing them with raised pedestrian/bicycle corners and green buffered bike lanes, and modernizing the existing traffic signals.
Various City, County, and regional plans identify the Fremont Boulevard corridor as priority for developing high quality facilities for walking, bicycling, and transit. These plans include the Washington High School Safe Routes to School Plan; Fremont Bicycle Master Plan; the Alameda County Transportation Plan; the Fremont Boulevard Multimodal Corridor Plan; the Council Staff Report (ID # 5070) Meeting of January 9, 2024 Updated: 1/5/2024 11:59 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
Alameda County Priority Bikeway Network; and the Regional Active Transportation Plan adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2024 with completion scheduled by December 2024.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Bids for this project were opened on December 19, 2023.
The bidders with their respective bid amounts are shown below. The Engineer’s Estimate is $1,853,000.
Bidder Bid Amount
1. GradeTech, Inc. $ 1,595,577.72*
2. Terocons, Inc. $ 1,793,864.00
3. Sposeto Engineering, Inc. $ 1,847,422.70*
4. Redgwick Construction Co. $ 1,889,100.00
5. Gruendl dba Ray’s Electric $ 1,940,902.50
6. Granite Rock Company $ 2,019,439.50
7. Kerex Engineering, Inc. $ 2,145,880.00
8. FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. $ 2,176,498.00
9. S&H Construction, Inc. $13,336,400.00*
* Mathematically corrected
The low bidder for this project, GradeTech, Inc., submitted a responsive bid and all documents are in order. The contractor is a responsible bidder experienced in this type of work and has satisfactorily completed contracts of this nature with the City and other nearby local agencies. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 21080.25 of the Public Resources Code, staff certifies that the entire project will be completed with a skilled and trained workforce and that the contractor GradeTech, Inc., shall be required to provide sufficient and competent administration, staff, and a skilled and trained workforce necessary to perform and timely complete the work in accordance with the contract documents.
The project cost is consistent with the Engineer’s Estimate, but the cost is significantly higher than the budgeted funding for the project. Staff had anticipated being able to receive additional grant funding for the project from State and Federal sources, due to the school proximity. However, most current grant programs significantly favor projects located within areas designated as “disadvantaged communities”. The project area is not designated as a disadvantaged community under criteria used by federal, State and regional agencies. The project has received two grants and they have deadlines related to timely project delivery.
Staff recommends transferring discretionary funds that Fremont has received from the Alameda County Transportation Commission and State Gas Tax to the Fremont/Country project from the Paseo Padre Safety Improvement Project (Driscoll to Washington).
Consequently, the safety improvements to Paseo Padre Parkway will be phased with project Council Staff Report (ID # 5070) Meeting of January 9, 2024 Updated: 1/5/2024 11:59 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 3
design proceeding in 2024 and construction funding to be programmed with the next CIP update. It is noted that a first phase of safety improvements along Paseo Padre Parkway are planned to start construction in late 2024 with pedestrian crosswalk flashing beacons at Paseo Padre/Dorne Place and Paseo Padre/Mento Drive.
Project Costs and Funding:
Estimated Project Costs
Preliminary Engineering, Design and Project Management $ 407,206.00 Construction Cost (Lowest Responsible Bid) 1,595,577.72 Construction Inspection, Surveying and Administration (15%) 239,337.00 Construction Contingency (10%) 159,558.00
Total Estimated Project Costs $ 2,401,678.72
Source of Funding:
Currently Budgeted
PWC9050 – Fund 136 – HUTA State Gas Tax $ 530,000
PWC9050 – Fund 504 – ACTC/MTC Capital Grants 267,000
PWC9050 – Fund 519 – ACTC Measure B 2012 Bike/Peds Funds 100,000 PWC9050 – Fund 520 – ACTC Measure BB Bike/Peds Funds 5,850 PWC9050 – Fund 521 – Transportation Development Act 368,002
Proposed Additional Funding
PWC9092 – Fund 134 – SB1-RMRA State Gas Tax 2030 $ 605,826.72 PWC9092 – Fund 515 – ACTC Measure BB Local Streets 225,000 PWC9092 – Fund 520 – ACTC Measure BB Bike/Peds 300,000
Total Funding Available $ 2,401,648.72
FISCAL IMPACT: Additional funding is needed to complete the construction of the project.
The increased sources of funding include County Measure B and BB sales tax funds dedicated to improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities and Senate Bill 1 State Gas Tax intended for critical safety projects on local streets and roads. These funds are administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC).
Staff recommends reallocation of funds as proposed above, to allow construction to move forward for this project, thereby meeting the grant deadline for project delivery. With the recommended additional reallocation of funds to the project, there will be sufficient funds available for the estimated project cost
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Based on the whole records and each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance, the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA review under Section 21080.25 of the Public Resources Code, as amended, because the project is a sustainable transportation project that implements pedestrian and bicycle facilities (i.e., construction of protected intersection corners, elevated curb returns, raised pedestrian/bicycle corners and green buffered bike lanes), improves pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improves access for current and potential transit riders. The project is located within public right of way and does not add new infrastructure that increases automobile capacity or require demolition of affordable housing. Furthermore, the City certifies the Council Staff Report (ID # 5070) Meeting of January 9, 2024 Updated: 1/5/2024 11:59 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 4
project will be completed by a skilled and trained workforce pursuant to enforceable contract provisions requiring contractors and subcontractors at every tier to use skilled labor. As a separate and independent basis, the project is exempt under CEQA Guideline Section 15301, Class 1(c), 15301 for “Existing Facilities’ in that it involves operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions outlined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies to the project.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the following actions related to the Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive Protected Intersection Project (PWC9050):
1. Find that this project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 21080.25 of the California Public Resources Code as a sustainable transportation project that implements pedestrian and bicycle facilities and improves multimodal safety and access for current and potential transit riders and is further exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 as the repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing facilities involving no or negligible expansion of use beyond that presently existing.
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the project.
3. Accept the bid and award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, GradeTech Inc., in the amount of $1,595,577.72 and allocate a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $159,558 for a total construction contract amount of $1,755,135.72, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the contract.
4. Reallocate $605,826.72 from PWC9092-134 to PWC9050-134.
5. Reallocate $225,000 from PWC9092-515 to PWC9050-515.
6. Reallocate $300,000 from PWC9092-520 to PWC9050-520.