TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7002 for the Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields and Greenbelt Project; award a contract to C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc., of Pomona, CA, in the amount of $2,491,377, and authorize a 15 percent contingency in the amount of $373,706, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,865,083; authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments thereto; and accept and adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 01-13. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc., for the construction of Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields and Greenbelt Project (Project), located to the west of Loma Vista Drive and extends in a northeast direction adjacent to the southwest corner of Anaheim Street and Daisy Avenue (Exhibit A - Location Map). The existing 8.75-acre Project site is currently vacant and undeveloped. The Project consists of one striped, synthetic turf soccer field; one unstriped, informal natural turf soccer field; large turf areas; landscaped open space/passive park areas; a pedestrian walking trail; and on-site parking spaces. The Project site is linear in form and characterized by the eight-foot wide pedestrian trail traversing the park from northeast to southwest, and a gateway entrance at Anaheim Street and Daisy Avenue.
The Project is a key component of the Drake/Chavez Master Plan, which will create a 57-acre greenbelt along the lower Los Angeles River in the City of Long Beach. The implementation of the Master Plan will include the existing Cesar E. Chavez Park (26.4 acres) and Drake Park (6.6 acres), the Project (8.75 acres), and approximately 16 acres of former industrial and abandoned railroad property that will be developed into wetlands, habitat, and active and passive recreation areas. The Greenbelt will provide continuous green space between Anaheim Street and Broadway along the Los Angeles River with links to the adjacent Los Angeles River Bike Path. The remaining portions of the Greenbelt will be developed as funding is identified.
The Project will include installation of a synthetic turf soccer field. Synthetic turf is commonly used in playgrounds, soccer fields and running tracks, making up the majority of fields installed each year at schools, universities and professional league stadiums. Synthetic turf may provide lower maintenance costs, increased durability and reduced water usage when compared to natural turf. Synthetic turf requires “infill material” to be placed in between the tuft strands (blades of turf), above the carpet mat, providing support for the tufts. The infill material recommended for this project is an organic cork/sand product.
The bid for the Project was advertised in the Press-Telegram on September 21, 2015. The bid documents were made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. A bid announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 22 local, minority and women-owned business groups. Eight bids were received on January 13, 2016. Of those eight bidders, two were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), none were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), four were certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), one was a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and none were Long Beach businesses (Local). C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc., of Pomona, CA (not an SBE, MBE, WBE, DBE or Local), was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with our outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the Bids Online database to download bid specifications. Through outreach, 380 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which 15 downloaded but none submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project was found to have no significant adverse effect on the environment and does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. Mitigated Negative Declaration No. MND 01-13 was prepared for the proposed Project, and was adopted by the Planning Commission on April 18, 2013.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney, Amy R. Webber on March 24, 2016 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 4, 2016.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Project incorporates sustainability design features that include reuse of recycled pavement, a natural stormwater retention and filtration feature, and a new green space with large landscaped open areas with turf, shrubs and trees. The proposed green space, along with 128 new trees, will also help reduce heat island effect and improve overall connectivity between existing land uses. The artificial turf soccer field uses a cork/sand infill material, which is a renewable natural material with superior heat reducing properties and does not require irrigation or hydration to maintain material integrity. The site design will also incorporate an eight-foot wide pedestrian trail and new sidewalk access ramps that meet the current disabled access regulations. In addition, the Project meets the goals of the recently adopted Mobility Element by maintaining and enhancing safety, while strengthening community, sense of place and the natural environment.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt the Plans and Specifications No. R-7002 and award a contract concurrently is requested on April 19, 2016, to move forward with the implementation of this project
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of this project is estimated at $3,813,000 and includes the total construction contract award of $2,865,083, plus costs for design, construction management, labor compliance and project oversight. The total project cost is supported by $2,513,000 from Proposition 84 grant funding for statewide park development, $300,000 from Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District “Per Parcel Discretionary” funding, and $1,000,000 of FY14 one-time funding that was designated for this project. The funding is appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW).
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) will be responsible for maintenance of the Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields and Greenbelt for a period of 20 years, consistent with grant requirements. PRM estimates annual General Fund costs in an amount of $40,500 for grounds maintenance of the 8.75-acre project site. This includes costs for daily trash removal, irrigation repair, plant trimming and replacement, weed abatement, and artificial turf preventative maintenance. Funding for these costs have not been identified, and will be requested as part of the FY 17 budget process.
The number of additional full-time equivalent (FTE) local jobs created by this project will not be known until the contractors complete their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARIE KNIGHT
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER