Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 02, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RECORDING A "NOTICE OF EXEMPTION" IN THE OFFICE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CLERK AND WITH THE STATE CLEARING HOUSE FOR PROJECT NO. 1779 (WALNUT AVENUE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS FROM AVALON BOULEVARD WEST TO BILLINGS DRIVE), PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
Project No. 1779 Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon Boulevard west to Billings Drive is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 23-24 and funded by the General Fund. The project includes pavement rehabilitation and concrete reconstruction such as curb, gutter, sidewalks, access ramps, and driveways.
The Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for Project No. 1779: Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon Boulevard west to Billings Drive were completed by Webb and Associates and are ready for construction bids. The PS&E were reviewed by the Engineering Division and are on file in the City Engineer’s Office. The estimated project construction cost is $1,122,300.00.
Staff is requesting City Council to approve the PS&E and authorize staff to advertise the project for construction bids.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. AUTHORIZE staff to advertise the work and call for construction bids for Project No. 1779: Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon Boulevard west to Billings Drive.
2. MAKE the California Environmental Quality Act finding that the proposed Walnut Street Improvement is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (c) and 15301(d) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
3. AUTHORIZE staff to record the “Notice of Exemption” in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk and with the State Clearing House at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for Project No. 1779: Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon Boulevard west to Billings Drive.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE the above recommendations. However, staff will not be able to proceed with the construction project.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Project No. 1779: Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon boulevard to west of Billings Drive is listed in the city’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Walnut Avenue is an east-west, four lane arterial road zoned for residential land uses. The length of the segment is approximately a third of a mile and the project includes pavement section reconstruction, asphalt concrete pavement grinding and overlay, slurry seal, concrete reconstruction for driveway approaches, curb and gutters, and access ramps. The required pavement section reconstruction and asphalt pavement overlay is per recommendation outlined in the City’s most recent Pavement Management Program (PMP). This segment of Walnut Avenue in the PMP is assigned a corresponding Pavement Condition Index (PCI) that indicates the treatment needed to maintain structural integrity.
Based on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, the proposed project is categorically exempt according to the following:
Section 15301 of CEQA includes the type of existing facilities projects that are categorically exempt. The following sections apply to the Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvement Project:
o Section 15301(c): Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety).
o Section 15301(d): Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as an earthquake, landslide, or flood.
The Plans, Specifications and Estimates for Project No. 1779: Walnut Avenue Roadway Improvements from Avalon Boulevard to west of Billings Drive have been completed by Webb and Associates and reviewed by the Engineering Services Division of the Public Works Department. A copy of the plans, specifications and estimates is available in the City Engineer’s Office and are now to be advertised for construction bids. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the PS&E and authorize staff to advertise the project for construction bids.
The approximate timeline for the project is as follows:
|
Approval of PS&E |
April 2, 2024 |
|
Advertise Invitation for Bids |
May 2024 |
|
Award of Construction Contract |
June 2024 |
|
Contract Execution |
July 2024 |
|
PO Issuance |
August 2024 |
|
Start of Construction |
September 2024 |
|
Completion of Construction |
January 2025 |
V. FISCAL IMPACT
No funding is being requested as part of this staff report. Staff is merely asking for approval to file a CEQA categorical exemption and authorization to submit a Notice of Exemption accordingly. The preliminary estimated construction cost of the project is $1,122,300.00. The final project cost will be determined when bids are received.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Walnut Avenue Street Improvement Plans (Pgs. 4 - 9)
2. Notice of Exemption (Pg. 10)
1.
Prepared by: Dr. Arlington Rodgers, Jr., Director of Public Works, and Gilbert Marquez, P.E., City Engineer