TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to submit a grant application to the California Coastal Conservancy in the amount of $1,500,000 for the development of the DeForest Wetlands project, and execute any necessary documents related to the grant application; and
Authorize City Manager to execute an amendment to Agreement No. 31137 with CH2MHill to increase the contract amount by $190,753, for a total amount not to exceed $653,048, for additional design and engineering services; and execute any amendments necessary to extend the term, amend the scope of work, or adjust the fee schedule of hourly rates for inflation in the extended term. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
On November 7, 2006, California voters passed the $54 billion Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84), to provide capital funding for water quality and park programs. The California Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) received funding from Proposition 84 for coastal and wetlands projects.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) proposes to apply for $1,500,000 in grant funding from the Conservancy for the development of the DeForest Wetlands project. The DeForest Wetlands site is located along the east bank of the Los Angeles River in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District Market Street Detention Basin (Attachment). The project will provide for the development of 34 acres of wetlands, riparian and upland habitat, publicly accessible trails, and educational interpretation along the Los Angeles River, from DeForest Park, south to Del Amo Boulevard. Additional funding for the development of the DeForest Wetlands is provided by grants from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, California Resources Agency, and the California Coastal Conservancy.
In addition to the proposed grant application, an enhancement is needed for Agreement No. 31137 with CH2MHill, the engineering firm designing the DeForest Wetlands. The current value of Agreement No. 31137 is $462,295, which is being used for required engineering design services and project management. The project design began with limited construction funding. At the inception of the project, CH2MHill was directed to prepare engineering design and construction documents for a basic wetlands project with limited recreational improvements. However, as this project has progressed, additional funding was secured that allowed for additional design features to be added to the project. The scope of changes to CH2MHill's contract include additional engineering design and project management services for the following: Interpretive elements, lighting details, trash capture plans, architectural wall layouts, bike stop waypoint layout, vernal pool design, a 52nd Street ADA parking lot plan, and boardwalk plans and details. CH2MHill's scope of responsibilities was also expanded to include permit processing with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. The fee for the additional services listed above is $190,753.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on September 8, 2011, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 12, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 4, 2011, in order to submit the grant application to the California Coastal Conservancy in advance of their November board meeting. The Conservancy has set aside funding for the project and intends to approve the grant application at that time.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding available for the DeForest Wetlands project is as follows:
Agency Status Amount
California Resources Agency Secured $2,500,000
Los Angeles County Regional Park
and Open Space District Secured $2,500,000
Los Angeles and San Gabriel
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Secured $1,000,000
California Coastal Conservancy Secured $217,593
California Coastal Conservancy Pending $1,500,000
TOTAL: $7,717,593
Secured funding has been appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) and in the Department of Public Works (PW). Grant funding will offset 100 percent of the project development costs. The California Coastal Conservancy grant application of $1,500,000 does not require matching funds or in-kind services. City staff time for eligible project management can be charged directly to this project in order to recover allowable administrative costs. When the grant application is approved by the California Coastal Conservancy, a recommendation will be made to the City Council to accept the grant and appropriate the funding. The secured grant funding will fund CH2MHill's additional scope of responsibilities and the fee that they charge for these services. There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER