TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7021 for the DeForest Wetlands Restoration; award a contract to Ford E.C., Incorporated, of Los Angeles, CA, in the amount of $4,872,567, and authorize a 20 percent contingency in the amount of $974,513, for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,847,080; and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments thereto, and consider Categorical Exemption No. 15-115 (15301, Class 1). (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Ford E.C. Incorporated, for development of the riverfront park, approximately two miles long, on a 39-acre site located within the East Basin of the Los Angeles River between Del Amo Boulevard and Osgood Street. The vicinity map showing the project location is attached.
On November 6, 2007, the City Council authorized the City Manager to accept $2,500,000 dollars in grant funds awarded through the Los Angeles County Proposition A Excess Funds Program for the planning and Phase 1 development of the DeForest Wetland Restoration project. On June 10, 2008, the City Council authorized the City Manager to accept $217,580 in grant funds from the California Coastal Commission.
Since then, the City of Long Beach has secured additional grant funds from three State agencies: $1,000,000 from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy; $2,500,000 from the California Resources Agency River Parkways Grant Program; and $1,500,000 from the California State Coastal Conservancy, for a total grant appropriation of $7,717,580. On May 19, 2015, the City Council authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, in the amount of $623,600, for the implementation of Phase 2 of the project. Phase 2 will further improve habitats through enhanced landscape plantings, expanded accessible trails through the wetlands portions of the site and improve the 52nd Street parking lot.
The project site is a flood control detention and storage basin owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. The project would, with the existing Dominguez Gap Basin Wetlands south of Del Amo Boulevard, create almost three miles of recreated wetland and related habitat along the Los Angeles River. The DeForest and Dominguez Gap Basin projects together would constitute the largest habitat restoration projects to date along the Los Angeles River, and a very significant step in completing the 52-mile Los Angeles River Greenway.
The proposed project’s habitat design focuses on recreating historical floodplain habitats of the lower Los Angeles River watershed. The project would remove non-native trees from DeForest Park in the northern portion of the DeForest Basin. Wetland areas would be created in this area using existing low-flow runoff from local storm drains. These wetland areas act to treat and improve the cleanliness of water before being discharged to the Los Angeles River. Other project elements in this area would consist of trails, including boardwalks, an entrance gate, and interpretive displays focusing on the historical ecology of the region. In the southern portion of the basin, rare historic habitat types such as vernal pools, native grasslands, coastal scrub, and oak-sycamore woodlands would be developed or enhanced. Trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians would be constructed, as well as a bicycle staging area beneath the Long Beach Boulevard overpass to connect the park with the adjoining Los Angeles River Bikeway (LARIO) on the levee next to the Los Angeles River.
The bid was advertised in the Press-Telegram on May 26, 2015 and 3,850 potential bidders specializing in ecological restoration were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 132 downloaded the bid via our electronic bid system. The bid document 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 <http://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 business groups that represent local, minority and women-owned businesses. Nine bids were received on July 1, 2015. Of those nine 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 one was a Long Beach business (Local). Ford E.C. Incorporated, of Los Angeles, CA, (not an MBE, WBE, SBE, DBE or Local) 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 Bids Online database to download bid specifications. Through outreach, 350 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which eighteen downloaded and one submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy Attorney Gary Anderson on October 29, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 12, 2015.
SUSTAINABILITY
Wetlands creation carries with it several sustainable benefits. Wetlands play an important role in recharging of groundwater and in the filtration and breakdown of fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil and other harmful substances that could be contained in runoff that flows downstream to neighboring rivers, lakes, and oceans. Wetlands also reduce the impacts from storm drainage and flooding, store carbon, help stabilize climatic conditions, and control pests. Needed habitat for numerous wildlife species, including endangered birds and mammals is also created. In addition, wetlands support recreational, equestrian and tourist activities.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project has been determined to be categorically exempt, pursuant to Title 14, California Code of Regulations Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (attached).
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7021 and award a contract concurrently is requested on November 10, 2015 to allow commencement of this Public Works project. It is anticipated that construction will begin in January 2016 and end in September 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT
Contract costs will not exceed $5,847,080, including the recommended 20 percent contingency of $974,513. The project was previously estimated at $10,000,000 based on a prior bid, however, the revised total project cost is currently estimated at $8,365,492 and includes design, engineering, construction, construction management, project labor agreement compliance and project support. Of the total project cost, $7,741,892 is currently appropriated. The balance of $623,600 is anticipated to be funded by a pending grant award from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Phase 2 of the project. It is anticipated that the grant will be awarded by the end of the calendar year 2015. Alternative funding has not been identified. As a result, Phase 2 of the project will only commence at such a time as funding is identified and secured.
Grant Funding is budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund (CP), of which $717,580 is appropriated in Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR) and $7,024,312 is appropriated in the Public Works Department (PW). Grant funding has no match requirements and appropriated as follows:
• $217,580 grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy
• $2,500,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Proposition A Excess Funds Program
• $2,500,000 from the California Resources Agency River Parkways Program
• $1,000,000 was appropriated in the Public Works Department from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
• $1,500,000 from the California State Coastal Conservancy
In addition to grant funding, $24,312 was reallocated from closed projects and is appropriated for project support.
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department will be responsible for maintenance of the DeForest Wetlands for a period of 20 years, consistent with grant requirements. The annual General Fund cost for grounds maintenance of the 39-acre parcel is estimated at $180,000 for the first two years and $144,000 thereafter. Funding for this cost has not been identified, and will be reviewed as part of the FY 17 budget process. This project is anticipated to result in a positive local job impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
STEPHEN SCOTT
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER