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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE HUNTER STREET ROAD DIET/BIKE LANE INSTALLATION PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve the Notice of Exemption No. CE09-16 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation, Project No. WT16009/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(155).
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation, Project No. WT16009/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(155).
3. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $253,967 to VSS International, Inc., of West Sacramento, CA, for the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation, Project No. WT16009/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(155).
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.
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Summary
The Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation project will convert Hunter Street from four to two lanes with a center two-way left-turn lane and will add bicycle lanes between Harding Way and Miner Avenue (Attachment A - Vicinity/Project Map). These safety improvements will reduce speeding and provide low-stress bicycle access to the downtown area. The project was included in the 2016-21 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and is listed in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.
On April 1, 2021, the City received two bids for this project. Staff recommends award of the Construction Contract to the lowest responsible bidder, VSS International, Inc., in the amount of $253,967. Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. CE09-16 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approving the plans and specifications for the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed by summer 2021.
This project is federally funded and is subject to federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements.
DISCUSSION
Background
In July 2015, Public Works submitted a grant application in the amount of $449,000, with a 10 percent local match to the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation project. The grant program was awarded in 2016 and is administered by Caltrans. HSIP funding is provided to projects for the purpose of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. The project will convert Hunter Street from four to two lanes with a center two-way left-turn lane and will add bicycle lanes between Harding Way and Miner Avenue. These safety improvements will reduce speeding and provide low-stress bicycle access to the downtown area. The project was included in the 2016-21 Five-Year CIP and is listed in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.
Since the project is funded with federal transportation dollars, DBE program rules apply. DBE rules require that the prime contractor either meet a calculated project specific DBE participation goal or undertake and document good faith efforts to do so. If the apparent low bidder does not meet the project goal, a Good Faith Efforts Evaluation must be made examining several specific factors. Failure to meet the goal or provide evidence of adequate good faith efforts are grounds for rejecting the bidder as non-responsive.
A DBE is a socially and economically disadvantaged small business owned by a woman or by a specified ethnic group that has been properly certified by Caltrans. These groups include:
• African American
• Asian Pacific American
• Native American
• Women
• Hispanic American
• Subcontinent Asian American
A DBE goal of 10 percent was established for this project. The goal was calculated by examining the breakdown of the types of work to be performed, and the availability of certified DBE companies in our market area to perform the work. A pre-bid meeting was held on March 23, 2021, to emphasize the DBE requirements, and to provide information on how to meet the project DBE goal.
The federal funding restrictions 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).
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. The CWTA was not applied to this project as federal regulations prohibit the use of such agreements.
Present Situation
On March 4, 2021, the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation project was advertised for bids. On April 1, 2021, two bids were received with the following results:
COMPANY NAME BID AMOUNT
VSS International, Inc. (West Sacramento, CA) $253,967
Pavement Coatings Corporation (Sacramento, CA) $281,623
Engineer’s Estimate $314,492
The bid from VSS International, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, is regular in all respects. VSS International, Inc. has the proper license to perform the work and has proposed a DBE participation of 11.7 percent, which exceeds the 10 percent DBE goal. Staff recommends Council approve the plans and specifications for the project and award a Construction Contract to VSS International, Inc. of West Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $253,967.
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, Class 1, 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. CE09-16 under CEQA. Construction is anticipated to be completed by summer 2021.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are sufficient funds available in the Hunter Street Road Diet/Bike Lane Installation, Project No. WT16009 (formerly PW1609)/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(155), Account No. 4570-000-800007-300-000, to award a Construction Contract to VSS International, Inc. in the amount of $253,967.
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