DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Construction Contract to Cato’s General Engineering, Inc., for the Hesperian Frontage Road Improvement Project, Project No. 05742 in the Amount of $855,225, and Appropriating Additional Funds in the amount of $162,225 from Street System Improvements – Fund 450
RECOMMENDATION
That City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) awarding the construction contract to Cato’s General Engineering, Inc., (Cato’s) in the amount of $855,225 for the Hesperian Frontage Road Improvement Project and appropriating additional funds in the amount of $162,225 from Street System Improvements – Fund 450.
SUMMARY
On December 17, 2024, five (5) bids were received for the Hesperian Frontage Road Improvement Project. Cato’s General Engineering, Inc., of Hayward, CA submitted the low bid in the amount of $855,225, which is 25.4% higher than the Engineer’s Estimate of $682,225. Bear Construction, Inc., of Hayward, CA submitted the second lowest bid in the amount of $884,600 which is 29.6% higher than the Engineer’s Estimate. Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc., of Hayward, CA submitted the third lowest bid in the amount of $1,284,626 which is 88.3% higher than the Engineer’s Estimate.
BACKGROUND
The FY23 Median Landscape Improvement Project on Hesperian Boulevard from W.
Winton Avenue to West A Street was recently completed and was the eighth (8th) and final project outlined in the Landscape Median Master Plan for Hesperian Boulevard. During construction of this project, there was evidence of root intrusion around the PG&E gas main from the trees and shrubs in the island along the frontage road next to Hesperian Boulevard from Phillips Way to Sueirro Street. To avoid future failure of the gas main, a project for the roadway island that runs parallel and divides the northbound Hesperian Boulevard and the Hesperian Frontage Road was added to this section of Hesperian Boulevard. This is the last section of the medians on Hesperian Boulevard slated for
improvement.
This project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15301(c) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines for the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities.
On November 15, 20161, City Council passed a resolution authorizing a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) with the Alameda County Building Trades Council (BTC), which applies to City projects with construction costs of $1,000,000 or more. This agreement requires contractors to use local union hiring halls, encourages contractors to employ Hayward residents or Hayward Unified School District graduates, and requires hired workers to pay union dues and other benefit trust fund contributions, etc. Because the construction cost estimate for the Hesperian Frontage Road Improvement Project is less than
$1,000,000, the CWA agreement does not apply to this project.
DISCUSSION
The project primarily consists of:
Clearing, grubbing and site preparation of the island area. Reconstruction of island planter curb.
Installing median nose cap and permeable pavers.
Provision of metal fence improvements.
Planting of vine tying to fence, shrub, and groundcover. Installing irrigation system
Attachment III depicts the project limits for this work.
All existing trees and bushes will be removed to mitigate the root intrusion to avoid damage to the main gas line that runs parallel to the island planters.
The project conforms to Bay-Friendly landscape practices and complies with the City’s Bay-Friendly Landscape and Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Replacing and improving median landscaping increases safety, enhances the visual appearance of the medians, increases weed control, and reduces the amount of irrigation required. The additional curb improvements increase the longevity of these enhancements resulting in cost savings over time.
1 https://hayward.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2882111&GUID=118B2EF9-1D2C-471F-999E- 4BE0929706A0&Options=&Search=
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated project costs are as follows:
Construction Contract $855,225
Construction Contingencies 50,000
Preconstruction and Utility Works (provided by Signet
Testing Inc.)
107,000
Planting and Irrigation Landscaping – City Staff 50,000 Design and Administration 50,000
Construction Survey, Inspection and Testing 50,000
TOTAL $1,162,225
The Adopted FY25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $1,000,000 for the Hesperian Frontage Road Improvement Project in the Street System Improvements – Fund 450. Staff is proposing to appropriate an additional $162,225 in funds from Fund 450 to cover the additional costs, resulting in no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the Strategic Priorities to Confront Climate Crisis & Champion Environmental Justice. Specifically, this item relates to the implementation of the following:
Mitigate climate crisis impacts through resilient design and community engagement
Project C14: Continue to pursue water conservation measures like increasing recycled water supplies.
Project C6: Plant 1,000 trees annually (500 trees per year by City staff; 500 additional trees, by other partners (HARD, CSU, Chabot, and private developers)
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
This project includes the installation of a safety barriers fence along with drought tolerant plants to reduce the amount of water usage including installation of an efficient irrigation system. The project will implement Bay-Friendly Landscaping techniques to use native and climate appropriate plants for the frontage islands. All material generated during construction and demolition be sent to designated facilities for recycling.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Because of the temporary inconvenience that is expected to be caused by the work in the median, immediately after the construction contract is awarded, a preliminary notice
explaining the project will be distributed to the businesses and residences along the frontage road adjacent to the limits of work. After the construction work has been scheduled, businesses will be notified at least seventy-two hours prior to commencement of work.
NEXT STEPS
Begin Construction April 2025
Complete Construction June 2025
Prepared by: Hector Leuterio, Assistant Civil Engineer
Kathy Garcia, Deputy Director of Public Works
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
Approved by:
___________________________
Dr. Ana M. Alvarez, City Manager