To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Bid Award Authorization for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file the bid proposals submitted for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260;
2. Find that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
3. Award the project agreement to McCullough Construction, Inc. for the total amount of $4,477,887.27;
4. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the project agreement upon submittal of the appropriate bonds and insurance; and
5. Authorize the Public Works Director to execute contract change orders up to the amount of $210,000.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Road Fund (1200); Federal Highway Administration Highway Bridge Program
DISCUSSION:
On Nov. 29, 2022, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors authorized the Clerk of the Board to advertise Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260 for bids. On Jan. 10, 2023, the County of Humboldt received seven (7) bids for the project. One (1) of the bid proposals was determined to be non-responsive due to errors in the bid form. The six (6) responsive bids are attached hereto as Attachment 1.
The project was evaluated for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act during the Project Approval and Environmental Document phase. The project was determined to meet the criteria for a Class 2 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines. This exemption applies to replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. There are no unusual circumstances or historical resources that would make this exemption inapplicable.
The Department of Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors: receive and file the bid proposals submitted for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260; find that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines; award the attached project agreement to McCullough Construction, Inc., for the total amount of $4,477,887.27; authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the attached project agreement upon submittal of the appropriate bonds and insurance; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute contract change orders up to the amount of $210,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260 is being funded by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program and Toll Credits Program (100%). The total project cost is estimated at $5,597,000. The Humboldt County Road Fund will not be responsible for any of the costs associated with Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260.
Expenditure appropriations relating to completion of Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260 are included in the approved fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 Road Fund Budget (1200321-2118).
Projects are paid in arrears with anticipated funding coming from FHWA as mentioned above. The FY 2020-21 Annual Road Report, completed by the State of California, reflected an estimated negative fund balance of $5.9 million in the county’s Road Fund. Even after allocating nearly $6.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Road Fund in order to reduce the negative fund balance, the current estimated fund balance remains negative by approximately $4 million.
This negative balance is partially due to the timing of Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements to the county, which can take years for the county to receive repayment. The department utilizes other state and local funding, such as Regional Surface Transportation Program funds, for the Humboldt County Road Fund match for reimbursable projects. Despite those additional funding sources, Road Fund projects are underfunded and will very likely have a negative impact on the General Fund if additional revenue sources are not secured.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to award the project agreement for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260. However, this alternative is not recommended because the project will replace the bridge using funds that would not otherwise be available to the County of Humboldt.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bid Results for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260
2. Construction Agreement for Pine Hill Road over Swain Slough Bridge No. 04C-0260
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-10 / C-8 / C-23 / C-18 / D-28
Meeting of: Apr. 3, 2012 / July 2, 2015 / Dec. 5, 2017 / Sept. 10, 2019 / Nov. 29, 2022
File No.: 17-2665 / 19-1217 / 22-1513