TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7060 for construction of the Red Car Greenway; award a contract to Environmental Construction, Inc., of Woodland Hills, CA, in the amount of $674,239, authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $67,424, for a total contract amount not to exceed $741,663; authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments; and
Accept Categorical Exemption No. CE 17-051. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Environmental Construction, Inc., for the construction of the Red Car Greenway Project (Project), located along the section of the Pacific Electric (PE) Right of Way (ROW), which extends northwest from the intersection of Park Avenue and E. 4TH Street to Ximeno Avenue (Exhibit A). The existing 3.66-acre Project site is currently vacant and undeveloped. The Project consists of the construction of a ten-foot wide decorative concrete pedestrian and cyclist pathway along the full length of the Project site, updated irrigation and native plants, pathway lighting, trail boulders for seating, trash receptacles and doggie bag dispensers, wood grain textured concrete fencing at entries, and secondary decorative concrete pedestrian trails along the length of the greenbelt, connecting to local streets adjacent to the greenbelt.
The Project is a key component for the PE ROW Greenbelt Master Plan, which starts at the intersection of Park Avenue and E. 4th Street and extends northwest to Loma Avenue. The landscaping of the PE ROW between 7th Street and 8th Street was completed in 2016. The current proposed project will extend the greenbelt providing recreation facilities and safe access for pedestrians and cyclists to the neighboring schools and Colorado Lagoon, which is located southeast of the Project. The remaining portions of the PE ROW will be developed as funding is identified.
The bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on March 29, 2017, and 4,802 potential bidders specializing in landscaping and construction were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 58 downloaded the bid documents via the City’s electronic bid system. The bid documents were made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. A bid announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 22 local, minority and women-owned business groups. One bid was received on May 17, 2017. The sole bidder was not a Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or a Long Beach businesses (Local). Environmental Construction, Inc., of Woodland Hills, CA (not a SBE, MBE, WBE, DBE or Local), was determined to be the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with our outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division assists businesses with registering on the Bids Online database to download bid specifications. Through outreach, 432 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which six downloaded and none submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Project was found to have no significant adverse effect on the environment and does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. Categorical Exemption No. CE 17-051 was issued on March 17, 2017 for this project (Exhibit B).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on June 13, 2017 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on June 23, 2017.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Project incorporates sustainable design features that include a selection of native shrubs and hydroseeding mixes containing California natural grassland and coastal wildflower. The water efficient landscape design will exceed the efficiency limits set by the State. The proposed green space will help reduce heat island effect and provide pedestrians and cyclist paths for improved connectivity and safety.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt the Plans and Specifications No. R-7060 and award a contract concurrently is requested on July 11, 2017, to move forward with the implementation of this project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the Project is estimated at $1,050,334 and includes the contract award amount of $741,663, including contingency, and the cost for design, construction management, labor compliance and project oversight. The total Project cost is supported by $300,000 from the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District Grant, $450,000 from the State of California, Land and Water State Conservation Fund, $81,000 from the Los Angeles County Supervisor’s Office, $150,000 from Long Beach Measure A funding, and $69,354 from Third Council District FY 14 one-time funds. The funding is appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW).
The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department will be responsible for maintenance of the Red Car Greenway. The annual grounds maintenance cost for the 3.66-acre Project site is currently estimated at $17,000, and includes daily trash removal, irrigation repair, plant trimming and replacement, weed abatement and maintenance of trail lighting. Funding for these costs have not been identified, and will be requested as part of the FY 18 budget process. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to our local economy. The number of additional local jobs created by the Project will not be known until the contractor completes their hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARIE KNIGHT
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER