title
ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH STOCKTON PEDESTRIAN HAWK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. NOE11-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196).
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196).
3. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $4,218,110 to Zara Construction, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, for the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196).
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
body
Summary
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core federal-aid program established to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California's local agency share of HSIP funds. The South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project was awarded Cycle 10 HSIP funding. The project was included in the 2021-26 and 2022-27 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP).
The project will install High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals at eight locations in south Stockton (Attachment A). The improvements will also include high visibility crosswalks, signage, striping, intersection safety lighting, drainage, sidewalk, curb, gutter, and curb ramps. These identified safety improvement measures will increase visibility and pedestrian safety within the crossing locations.
On March 27, 2025, the City received six bids for this project. It is recommended that Council adopt the resolution to award a Construction Contract to the lowest bidder, Zara Construction, Inc., in the amount of $4,218,110. It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE11-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approving the plans and specifications for the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed by spring 2026.
DISCUSSION
Background
HSIP is a core federal-aid program established to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California's local agency share of HSIP funds. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors. Local HSIP projects are prioritized based on crash experience, benefit from counter measures, or other data-supported means.
Senate Bill 137 (Chapter 639 of the 2019 Statues), effective October 8, 2019, added Section 182.85 to the Streets and Highways Code that authorizes Caltrans to allow up to $100 million of federal local assistance funds be exchanged for non-federal State Highway Account (SHA) funds. The city, county, or other eligible recipients receiving exchanged funding (federal to State) must use the funding on projects for purposes which the federal local assistance funds were originally intended. As a result, Cycle 10 HSIP projects are State funded.
In October 2020, the City submitted nine grant applications to Caltrans for Cycle 10 of the HSIP grant program. One of the applications was for the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project. The project will install HAWK signals at eight locations in south Stockton (Attachment A). The improvements will also include high visibility crosswalks, signage, striping, intersection safety lighting, drainage, sidewalk, curb, gutter, and curb ramps. These identified safety improvement measures will increase visibility and pedestrian safety within the crossing locations.
In March 2021, the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196) was approved for State Cycle 10 HSIP funding in the amount of $5,861,500 for design and construction. This project is 100 percent State funded, and no local match is required as part of the grant. The project was included in the 2021-26 and 2022-27 Five-Year CIPs.
Since the project is funded with SHA dollars, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program rules do not apply, and the National Environmental Policy Act is not required.
On July 26, 2016, Council adopted a Community Workforce and Training Agreement (CWTA). The CWTA became effective August 25, 2016, and applies to all Public Works projects over $1 million that are bid after that date. On July 16, 2019, by Motion No. 2019-07-16-1403, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2024. On August 20, 2024, by Motion No. 2024-08-20-1203, Council extended the CWTA term to August 25, 2029. The CWTA was applied to this project as the estimated construction cost is over $1 million, and State HSIP funds allows for the use of such agreements.
Present Situation
On December 20, 2024, the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196) was advertised for bids. The bid opening date was extended to address multiple questions from bidders and to obtain permission from Caltrans regarding the use of CWTA on the project. On March 27, 2025, six bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT
Zara Construction, Inc. $4,218,110.00
FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. $4,248,560.00
United Pavement Maintenance $4,277,698.75
Terocons, Inc. $4,527,422.00
Dirt Dynasty $4,689,109.10
Sposeto Engineering, Inc. $4,825,246.96
Engineer’s Estimate $5,291,814.00
State and federal funding programs prohibit the use of the Local Employment Ordinance, Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.095, and the Local Business Preference Ordinance, SMC section 3.68.090.
The bid from Zara Construction, Inc. is the lowest bidder and has the proper license to perform the work. Although, the low bid is below the Engineer’s Estimate by 25 percent, the bids are comparable and reflect current market pricing. It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications and awarding a Construction Contract in the amount of $4,218,110 to Zara Construction, Inc.
The project is in conformance with the City’s General Plan, pursuant to California Government Code, section 65402, and is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE11-24 under CEQA. Construction is anticipated to be completed by spring 2026.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is sufficient budget in the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/State Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196), to award a Construction Contract to Zara Construction, Inc. in the amount of $4,218,110 and to fund all other construction related costs, hire construction management, and staff time to complete the project.
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map