TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-6834 for the construction of the Baker Street Mini Park, award the project to, and authorize City Manager to execute the contract with Americana United Builders Corp., in the amount of $479,343, plus a 15 percent contingency amount of $71,901, if necessary, for a total amount of $551,244 and any necessary amendments thereto;
Amend the Park Impact Fee Plan to include Baker Mini Park; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine by $207,837. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine acquired land at the northeast corner of Baker Street and Golden Avenue in 2001 for the construction of a new park. A vicinity map showing the project location is attached. The park is planned for an area in Long Beach that has no park space within a one-half mile radius. The 1.34-acre park will include site amenities such as a playground, benches and picnic tables.
In February 1989, the Long Beach City Council established the Park Impact Fee for parkland acquisition and improvements. The Park Impact Fee was originally imposed on all new residential development to mitigate the impact of increased population from those new developments on parks and park facilities. The fees were based on a citywide recreation standard, the projected growth in population, and the estimated cost to provide the new and expanded recreational facilities needed to serve the increased population at the citywide standard. The addition of 1.34 acres of new parkland at Baker Street and Golden Avenue is an eligible project under the requirements of the Park Impact Fee Program.
City Council's adoption of 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. The project was advertised for bids on May 11, 2011, and bids were opened on June 15, 2011. 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.com>, in 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, 1,038 firms registered on the website were notified via automatic email notice, including 101 firms located in Long Beach. Fourteen sets of bid documents were purchased by prospective bidders, and six bids were received. Of the bidding firms, one is local, three are MBE, one is WBE, and three are registered DBE. Americana United Builders Corp. (a WBE firm), of Woodland Hills, CA, has been determined to be the lowest responsive bidder.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, a Categorical Exemption has been issued for this project.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on August 1, 2011 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 2, 2011.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project has been designed to incorporate many water conservation measures, including drought tolerant plant material and state-of-the-art irrigation systems to allow for efficient application of water. In addition, the playground equipment and site amenities have up to 50 percent recycled content and are 90 percent recyclable.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on August 23, 2011 to authorize commencement of this capital improvement project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Existing funding budgeted for Baker Mini Park includes approximately $350,000 in prior grant funding from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District and $94,703 donated by Long Beach Container Terminal. Park Impact Fees will fund the requested appropriation increase of $207,837 in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR). The number of additional full-time equivalent (FTE) local jobs created by this project will not be known until the contractor completes their hiring and construction has commenced. There is no impact to the General Fund.
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