TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to adopt plans and specifications for Invitation to Bid No. PR08023 for the reconstruction of the stream at the El Dorado Nature Center, and award a contract to Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., in an amount not to exceed $700,000. (District 4)
DISCUSSION
Created in 1969, the EI Dorado Nature Center (Nature Center) is a 102-acre public environmental, educational, and recreation center. The Nature Center contains two lakes connected by a stream, which is approximately a half-mile long. During the nearly 40 years that the Nature Center has been in existence, vegetation has grown to shade and clog the stream. Storms have eroded the banks, depositing silt along the stream bottom. Leaves and branches that have fallen into the water have decayed and accumulated on the stream bottom, causing the stream to become shallower. The resulting wider and shallower stream does not provide healthy aquatic or riparian habitat and is eroding into the walking trail.
Restoration plans have been developed for this design-build project. Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., (Bubalo) has provided unit prices for each of the components of the stream restoration, and the exact location of each component will be determined in the field, with close oversight by the City. This will result in a restoration project that is tailored to the specific conditions found at the Nature Center. Because it is not possible to predict the exact conditions that will be encountered and treatments that will be installed, the construction contract is not to exceed $700,000.
The Nature Center stream restoration is being funded by grants under the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Acts of 2000 and 2002, and mitigation paid by McDonnell Douglas for violations under the Clean Water Act. Permits for the project have been secured from the California Department of Fish and Game, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
City Council's adoption of the plans and specifications and award of the contract are being recommended concurrently in order to expedite implementation of this project. The project was advertised for bid on September 2, 2008, and bids were opened on September 12, 2008. Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., submitted the only bid. Bubalo has extensive experience working with the City of Long Beach, which includes the bluff erosion control improvement at 1 ih Place and the award-winning Rotary Centennial Park.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on September 29, 2008, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 2, 2008.
SUSTAINABILITY
Stream bank reconstruction will utilize sustainable bioengineering techniques, including the use of live willow poles and stakes, brush layering, and coir fabric blankets. Rather than installing "hard" structures such as concrete or riprap, "'soft" structures that emulate processes present in natural streams will be implemented. Incorporating an understanding of natural stream flows and using plants, logs, and boulders to direct those flows will prevent future erosion. Replacing non-native vegetation along the banks with more appropriate native riparian vegetation will reduce future maintenance requirements. The reconstructed stream will look and act more like a natural stream.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 21, 2008, to enable completion of the project prior to the expiration of grant funding. The construction period is also seasonal in order to avoid impacting nesting birds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract award is for an estimated amount of $700,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |