Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Purchase of a Floating Dock for the Grand Street Boat Ramp Replacement Project - Phase 2 in an Amount Not to Exceed $90,785 from Topper Industries, Inc. (Recreation and Parks 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Grand Street Boat Ramp has two boat lanes and docks. The docks on the west side of the Grand Street Boat Ramp were recently identified as a safety hazard. Emergency repairs kept them open to the public but the docks are in need of replacement. The docks and gangway on the east side of the ramp are already being replaced as previously authorized by City Council. The total cost to purchase the dock and associated structures, including shipping and tax, is $90,875. The installation will be completed by City of Alameda (City) staff.
BACKGROUND
The Grand Street Boat Ramp is one of two City-owned public boat launch facilities - both are available for public use at no charge. Grand Street launches boaters into the estuary and the Encinal Boat Launch Facility provides direct access to San Francisco Bay. Both facilities are heavily utilized by the public for fishing, recreation, paddle boarding and kayaking, as well as launching for training exercises by the Alameda Fire Department, Coast Guard, and U.S. Marine Corps.
The dock on the west side of the Grand Street Boat Ramp was closed in February 2021 due to safety concerns. The west side dock was reopened and after emergency repairs. However, these repairs offered a short-term fix, which allowed community to access while a plan was developed to replace the entire dock.
On December 15, 2020 the City Council authorized the purchase of a dock, gangway, and piers from Topper Industries, Inc. (Topper) for the east side of the Grand Street Boat Ramp. The docks on both sides of the ramp are heavily utilized by the public.
DISCUSSION
Topper specializes in building amenities for public boating facilities and is the only reputable company that provides this product type for the San Francisco Bay Area. Utilizing any other company would incur significant shipping costs. Topper products were installed at the improved Encinal Boat Launch Facility, the new Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal and will be installed on the east side of the Grand Street Boat Ramp. Since this west side of the ramp does not include a gangway, the installation of the boat docks can be completed by City staff.
If approved by the City Council on April 6, 2021, this project could be completed by the end of July 2021.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize purchase of the Topper floating dock.
• Do not authorize purchase and more (permanently) close this half of the facility by removing the existing, unusable dock.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are sufficient funds available for this project in the FY 2020-21 General Fund - Park Maintenance - Contractual Services budget (001-51210-61060). No additional appropriations are needed.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
There is no impact to the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Repair, maintenance and/or minor alteration of an existing facility).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with purchasing this structure.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the purchase of a floating dock for the Grand Street Boat Ramp Replacement Project - Phase 2 in an amount not to exceed $90,785 from Topper Industries, Inc.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager concurs with the staff recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Purchase Contract
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager