Title
Recommendation to Accept the Work of Suarez & Munoz Construction Inc. for Alameda City Hall Lawn Conversion, Project PW No 02-22-05. (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 17, 2022 the City Council awarded a contract to Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. (SMC), in an amount not to exceed $204,445, to convert the lawn at City Hall to a drought tolerant landscape. The improvements and maintenance executed under the subject contract are complete in accordance with project plans and specifications. Staff recommends City Council acceptance of the work.
BACKGROUND
On September 8, 2021, City Council directed staff to implement strategies that reduce municipal operations water consumption in response to the current drought emergency. One strategy supported by City Council was the conversion of the existing landscaping at City Hall, among other City owned buildings, from large areas of turf that require heavy watering to more drought-tolerant plantings that conserve water.
City Hall is a Historic Monument, as designated by the City Council. On December 2, 2021, the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) approved a Certificate of Approval to convert the lawn at City Hall to drought-tolerant landscaping. Staff hosted an online survey and community event seeking input on the landscape design and plant palette. The new landscape now includes groundcover plants with a mixture of Mediterranean climate flowering plants, all drought tolerant and many California natives. Plant varieties are a mixture of flowering broadleaf shrubs and upright ornamental grasses. Numerous species attract pollinators, butterflies, humming birds etc. The California Native Milkweed is grouped in visible areas to serve as a food source for Monarch Butterflies.
The project also installed a new state of the art underground drip irrigation system operated by an automated, Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (“WELO”) compliant irrigation controller.
DISCUSSION
On May 17, 2022 the City Council awarded a contract in the amount of $204,445 including contingencies to SMC. The project was constructed in accordance with the plans and specification. The final cost, including all extra work orders, is $204,445.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the work as presented.
• Do not accept the work and give staff alternate instruction.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for this project were approved in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Mid-Year Budget, with monies appropriated from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Program, Project C17000. A $7,417 dollar rebate from EBMUD will be credited to the building’s EBMUD water service account.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), Existing Facilities.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
The project specifications required that the existing asphalt and concrete surfaces to be removed are recycled and allow the use of recycled aggregate in the replacement materials reducing the use of virgin rock, limiting waste, with an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. All construction work complied with Bay Area Air Quality Management District requirements for air quality requirements. In addition, the project replaced and upgraded the site drainage system to accommodate increased rainfall amounts and durations anticipated with climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Work of Suarez & Munoz Construction Inc. for Alameda City Hall Lawn Conversion, Project PW No 02-22-05.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien Finance Director
cc: Nancy Bronstein, Interim City Manager