Title
Adoption of Resolution Entering Into an Agreement with Verde Design to Provide Design Services for the Estuary Park Renovation, in an Amount Not to Exceed $174,145. (Recreation and Parks 91311)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: John A. Russo, City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution to Approve a Consultant Agreement with Verde Design to Provide Design Services for the Estuary Park Renovation, in an Amount Not to Exceed $174,145.
BACKGROUND
Estuary Park is eight acres located on Mosley Avenue near Singleton Avenue. The park's baseball field and soccer field were previously used by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. The park and athletic fields have lain dormant for many years and have fallen into an unusable state of disrepair.
The Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) issued a Request for Qualifications for Landscape Architect firms for an Estuary Park renovation design. Four firms were selected for interviews and the panel unanimously chose Verde Design.
Verde Design was chosen in part because their firm specializes in designing athletic fields. They integrate landscape architecture, civil engineering design, and construction management to form an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to planning and designing community projects. Verde Design projects are green and sustainable by design, such as employing the latest irrigation technology to provide viable and responsible landscapes.
DISCUSSION
There is significant demand for athletic fields in Alameda, especially for a rectangular field that serves soccer, football, lacrosse and rugby. The proposed renovation includes a youth baseball field, synthetic turf rectangular athletic field that is lighted, playground, pre-fabricated restroom building, park lighting, pathways, , landscape, and group picnic areas. The design development will involve community input by athletic user groups and review by the Recreation and Park Commission.
This park development will provide the City's first lighted synthetic turf field. This investment will provide additional field availability for Alameda youth and adults. This field is planned to have the appropriate space and lining for football, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby. This also makes it the City's first regulation-size football field. Youth football leagues currently practice on the outfield of City baseball fields. They are not designed to handle that level of use which increases the maintenance costs of those fields. ARPD is also seeing increased demand for lacrosse and rugby field allocations, so this new field will also address those growing needs.
The agreement with Verde Design includes a 10% retainer on the final payment until construction is complete. It also includes a clause specifying that based upon Verde Design's construction drawings, if the subsequent lowest responsible construction bid comes in more than 10% over Verde Design's Engineer's Estimate, they shall work with the City to value engineer the Project and provide revised construction drawings at no cost to the City.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated total cost to renovate Estuary Park is $2,000,000. The Verde Design agreement for landscape design is $174,145. Funds for design are included in the Capital Improvement Project Budget (91311) for FY 13-14 and FY 14-15. Funds for construction will come from a variety of sources including donations and Measure WW.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action has no effect on the Municipal Code. The Park Improvement Assessment provides a guide for future policy decisions regarding parks and recreational facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project includes the rehabilitation and improvement of an existing park; the proposal is consistent with the zoning and general plan designation for the property; and the improvements will be subject to the existing design requirements of the Alameda Municipal Code ensuring compatibility with adjacent land uses. For these reasons, the proposed project will not result in any significant environmental impacts and is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15301 (existing facilities), 15302 (replacement or reconstruction), and 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures).
RECOMMENDATION
Adoption of resolution to approve a consultant agreement with Verde Design to provide the design services for the Estuary Park renovation, in an amount not to exceed $174,145.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Park Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Fred Marsh, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Consultant Agreement with Verde Design