TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to extend until
December 16, 2010, Contract No. 30963 with Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., for the reconstruction of the stream at El Dorado Nature Center. (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 were developed for this design-build project, and on October 21, 2008, Mike Bubalo Construction Co., Inc., (Bubalo) was awarded a one-year construction contract to implement the stream restoration.
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.
On December 29, 2008, the California Department of Parks and Recreation notified the City that, due to the State budget crisis, all activities funded by California Propositions 12 and 40 were to be suspended immediately. Because grants under these propositions comprise a substantial portion of funding for this project, all project activity was immediately stopped at that time. Fortunately, Bubalo had not yet received their Notice to Proceed and, therefore, no expenses had been incurred prior to project suspension.
In late August 2009, the City received notification from the State that grant funds were once again available and that grant-funded activities could resume. Construction on the Nature Center stream restoration project began on October 5, 2009, and it is anticipated that it will be completed within six months. The original contract was awarded for a period of one year to allow ample time for project completion; however, the City did not anticipate that project funding would suddenly be frozen and that the project would be put on hold. However, due to the delay, the contract is set to expire before the project can be completed. Therefore, a project extension to December 16, 2010 is being requested.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on October 21, 2009, and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on October 23,2009.
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 November 10, 2009, to prevent additional delays in project construction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Contract No. 30963 is for an amount not to exceed $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
NAME |
APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |