TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution approving Plans and Specifications No. R-6904 for Chittick Field, Phase 1 Demolition and Grading, award the project to and authorize City Manager to execute a contract with Crew, Incorporated, for bid line items 1 through 38, 40 and 41, and alternate bid line item 42 in place of base bid line item 39, in an estimated amount of $852,236, plus a 25 percent contingency amount of $213,059, for a total contract amount of $1,065,295, and to execute any necessary amendments thereto regarding the scope of work. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
Chittick Field, also known as the Hamilton Bowl, functions as a storm water detention basin, but has been in use as baseball and soccer fields under a use permit issued by the County of Los Angeles. These fields, located in the vicinity of Pacific Coast Highway and Walnut Avenue, primarily serve the local community, which is an area in need of additional recreational facilities. The area is shown on the attached vicinity map.
The Salvation Army obtained entitlements from the City in 2009 to develop a Kroc Community Center at Chittick Field. However, the plans to develop the ambitious project were eventually abandoned by the applicant due to a lack of available funding and support. Since that time, the City pursued its goal of improving the athletic facilities at Chittick Field for the enjoyment of the greater Long Beach community.
The proposed Chittick Field project includes two youth soccer fields, one adult soccer field and one regulation football field which will be surrounded by a 400 meter all-weather track and accommodations for javelin, pole vault, long jump, and triple jump competitions. Phase 1 of this project in Fall 2012 may include demolition, grading and fence placement. Phase 2 of the project, which is currently anticipated to begin in Spring 2013,will include remaining Phase 1 work and improvements to the drainage & storm water facilities, a parking lot, installation of landscaping, irrigation and construction of the soccer, football, track and field accommodations.
The project was advertised for bids on July 25, 2012, and bids were opened on August 15, 2012. In addition to placing an advertisement for bids in the Long Beach Press Telegram, bid documents were made available through the City's weblink at, http://www.PlanetBids.comin a continuing effort to increase participation of local businesses, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). Bid documents were also sent to several trade publications and plan rooms catering to these groups within the construction industry.
For this bid, 623 firms registered on the website were notified via automatic email notice, including 78 located in Long Beach. Twenty-four sets of bid documents were purchased by prospective bidders, and ten bids were received. Of the bidding firms, two are local businesses, none are MBEs, one is a WBE, and one is a DBE registered firm. Crew, Incorporated, of Rancho Dominguez, California, has been determined to be the lowest responsible bidder.
Resulting from its dual role as both a recreational facility and a storm drain detention basin, all work within Chittick Field must be suspended between October 15th and April 15th. Therefore, staff is moving quickly in an effort to commence and pursue as much grading work as possible before October 15th, During the winter hiatus, staff will complete the bidding process for the park improvements and will return to Council for the award of the construction contract. Work on the park improvements and any remaining grading and storm drain improvements will recommence after April 15th.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on August 17, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 16, 2012.
CEQA ANALYSIS
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Kroc Community Center Project was certified by the City in June 2009 (Certified EIR), and an addendum to the Certified EIR was prepared for the Chittick Field project; both are attached (EIR on cd, Addendum printed packet). In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this Addendum analyzes proposed modifications to the Kroc Community Center Project to determine whether such modifications would result in any new significant environmental impacts or a substantial increase in the severity of impacts set forth in the Certified EIR.
The City's EIR consultant has determined that the Chittick Field project does not result in any additional significant impacts, nor would it substantially increase the severity of previously anticipated significant impacts. Rather, all of the impacts associated with the project would be within the envelope of impacts addressed in the Certified EIR, and any potentially significant impacts would be mitigated to less than significant levels upon implementation of the same mitigation measures specified in the Certified EIR.
The EIR Addendum was certified by the Planning Commission on August 16, 2012.
SUSTAINABILITY
Bioretention Filtration Planters will be located at all the outfalls into the site and the updated system will include current trash and bacteria reduction regulations. Native and drought tolerant landscaping with efficient irrigation is planned for the Phase 2 of the project.
Additionally, a bike path within the bowl will connect to an existing bike trail along the Pacific Electric right-of-way, improving upon the City's network of bike trails.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The City Council's adoption of the Resolution approving the plans and specifications, and award of the contract to the lowest responsible bidder are being recommended concurrently in order to expedite implementation of this project. City Council action on this matter is requested on August 21,2012, in order for construction to commence in September 2012.
FISCAL IMPACT
On August 9, 2011, the City Council authorized an amendment to the City's previous application for Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District funding, which would provide $4,340,000 in grant funding to be used for a recreational sports complex at the Chittick Field site. Because the amendment to previously granted County funding is expected but has not officially been approved, it is recommended that the General Fund Operating Reserve be designated as a temporary, guaranteed source of funds to award the contract. Financial Management has no concerns with the use of the General Fund monies as long as it is temporary and for a short period of time. The PRM Director has provided assurances to Financial Management that Los Angeles County will approve the City's grant amendment in the very near future, and that the risk of that not happening is inconsequential.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH RELATING TO THE REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF THE EIR ADDENDUM AND RELATED DOCUMENTS, AND APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CHITTICK FIELD PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND STATE AND LOCAL GUIDELINES AND MAKING CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS RELATIVE THERETO
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE.
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER