TITLE
WITHDRAWN
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-6973 for the Wrigley Greenbelt Project; award a contract to Aramexx Construction, Inc., of Upland, CA, in the amount of $966,126, and authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $96,613, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,062,739; authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments thereto;
Authorize City Manager to accept $325,000 in Competitive Excess Funds through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for the Fourth Supervisorial District Excess Funds to be utilized for the development of the Wrigley Greenbelt project;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) by $325,000; and
Accept Categorical Exemption No. CE 14-013. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Aramexx Construction, Inc., for the implementation of the Wrigley Greenbelt Project (Project), located to the east of the Los Angeles River between 26th Way and 34th Street (Exhibit A). The existing 8.1-acre Project site is currently vacant and undeveloped. The Project improvements consist of the removal of 12 trees and tree pruning, planting of 96 new trees, construction of a 1.2 mile stabilized decomposed granite walkway, landscaped open space with an automated irrigation system, installation of park furniture, installation of an equestrian rest station with a bench and hitching post, and eight dry streambed crossings with boulders and cobblestones. The Project is linear in form and characterized by the six-foot wide decomposed granite pedestrian trail traversing the park. The Project is a key component to the City’s RiverLink Plan and will provide healthy and active recreational opportunities for the City.
The Project design began in 2012 and a total of three public meetings were held with residents in the surrounding project area. Input from the residents has been considered during the design of the project.
The bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on December 17, 2015, and 4,202 potential bidders specializing in landscape, gardening and construction were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 99 downloaded the bid via the City’s electronic bid system. The bid was 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. Four bids were received on February 3, 2016. Of those four bidders, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), none were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), one was a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), one was a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and none were Long Beach businesses (Local). Aramexx Construction, Inc., of Upland, CA (SBE), was the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download bid specifications. Through outreach, 376 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which ten downloaded and 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 Ave (CEQA), this Project was found to be exempt from CEQA in accordance with State Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land. A Notice of Exemption CE-14-013 (Exhibit B) was filed with the office of Planning and Research on February 13, 2014.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on August 31, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on September 2, 2016.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Project includes several sustainable design features including a new open space with 1.2 miles of trail and large landscaped areas with trees. The proposed green space, along with 96 new trees, will help reduce heat island effect and improve overall connectivity between existing land uses. The new pedestrian trail design meets current disabled access regulations. The Project is also consistent with the goals of the City’s Open Space Element, Mobility Element, Sustainable City Action Plan, and RiverLink Plan.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt the Plans and Specifications No. R-6973 and award a contract concurrently is requested on September 20, 2016, to move forward with the implementation of this Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for this Project is estimated at $1,625,000, which includes the contract award amount of $1,062,739, and the cost for design, construction project oversight and labor compliance. Total project costs are supported by $1,300,000 in grant funds from the County of Los Angeles, which is budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) and $325,000 in grant funds from the Los Angeles County Fourth Supervisorial District Excess Funds Program through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, available in October 2016. This grant award is not yet appropriated; therefore, an appropriation increase in the amount of $325,000 is included in the recommended action. The grants do not have a cash or in-kind match requirement.
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) will be responsible for maintenance of the Wrigley Greenbelt consistent with grant requirements. PRM estimates annual General Fund costs for grounds maintenance of the Wrigley Greenbelt in an amount of $38,400. This includes costs for daily trash removal, irrigation repair, plant trimming and replacement, and weed abatement.
The number of additional local jobs created by the Project will not be known until the contractors complete their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
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[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARIE KNIGHT
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER