Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Verde Design, Inc. for Engineering Services for Phase 2 of Estuary Park, at 201 Mosley Avenue, No. P. W. 02-23-03, for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $295,825, which Includes a 10 Percent Contingency.
Similar to the Phase 1 constructed project, the Phase 2 proposed project consists of the rehabilitation and improvement of an existing park. Both Phases are 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 will be 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). (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The buildout of Estuary Park was planned in two phases due to funding availability. Phase 1 is the western four acres and Phase 2 encompasses the remaining four acres on the eastern end. Design for both phases was completed by Verde Design and construction for Phase 1 concluded in 2018. Funding for Phase 2 is now secured through a $5 million grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
The design for Phase 2 requires an update to both maintain compliance with current building codes and to incorporate additional amenities required for the grant, such as an inclusive playground and basketball and pickleball courts. Verde Design has unique historical knowledge of the project, having designed the earlier version of Phase 2, and staff recommends waiving the solicitation and selection requirements of the City of Alameda’s (City) Purchasing Policy. Staff recommends awarding a Service Provider Agreement for Estuary Park Phase 2 to Verde Design as sole source procurement in an amount not-to-exceed $295,825, which includes a ten (10.04%) percent contingency. This sole source procurement provides financial and schedule efficiencies for the project.
BACKGROUND
Estuary Park is an eight-acre public park located at 201 Mosley Avenue, near Singleton Avenue. Phase 1 was constructed and opened to the public in 2018. Phase 2 needs to be redesigned to meet current building codes, as well as the requirements of the LWCF grant received in 2022 for the sum of $5 million.
On July 5, 2016, the City Council awarded a contract in the amount of $4,565,425, including contingencies, to GoodLand Landscape Construction Inc. for the construction of Estuary Park Phase 1, which encompassed approximately four acres of the park. Phase 1 amenities included the City’s first lighted, synthetic turf, multi-use field (soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and football), and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant synthetic baseball diamond with a soccer field striped in the outfield that is prioritized for youth with physical and developmental disabilities.
Phase 1 was completed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and the work was formally accepted by City Council on January 16, 2018.
The eastern Phase 2 portion of Estuary Park is planned as a community park space with an inclusive playground, picnic areas, restroom, half-court basketball, Bankshot (an inclusive basketball system) and pickleball courts, pathways, open lawn, a dog park, and a parking lot (with EV charging stations). These recreation areas will serve the entire community, athletic field users, and the residential housing at Alameda Landing, Admiral’s Cove, and Alameda Point. Once Verde Design completes the updated construction documents, the Recreation and Parks Commission will recommend the final design to City Council for final approval. Staff will then conduct the standard formal bid process and bring a construction agreement to City Council for award.
DISCUSSION
Verde Design is the landscape architecture and civil engineering firm that designed both phases of the Estuary Park project. As such, they have a working knowledge and historical understanding of the improvements for both phases, as well as the site soils conditions throughout the park, the soils management requirements of the entire site and the necessary site utility improvements required for Phase 2. Verde Design’s scope of work will include:
a) Update of the Phase 2 design for code and grant compliance;
b) Incorporate a larger pre-engineered public restroom into Phase 2 improvements to serve the entire park as the originally planned public restroom in Phase 1 was not included due to insufficient funding at the time;
c) Modify shade structures to provide more shade with less budget impact;
d) Incorporate additional appropriately sized planting areas and current bioswale designs for storm water protection; and
e) Coordinate public access with recent Mitchell Road and Mosley Avenue improvements.
Staff recommends award of an engineering services contract to Verde Design as sole source procurement in an amount not-to-exceed $295,825, which includes a ten (10.04%) percent contingency.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Verde Design, Inc. for engineering services for Phase 2 of Estuary Park, at 201 Mosley Avenue, No. P. W. 02-23-03, for a not-to-exceed amount of $295,825, which includes a ten (10.04%) percent contingency. )
• Do not authorize City Manager to execute an Agreement with Verde Design, Inc., and provide alternative direction to staff to issue a Request for Proposals, select the most qualified landscape architectural firm, and bring a Services Provider Agreement to City Council for approval. This alternative requires additional staff time and it is uncertain whether the result would be a lower or higher total design cost than what is proposed here.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for design is available in the Capital Improvement Program (Project No. C52500) for design services for Estuary Park Phase 2.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Similar to the Phase 1 constructed project, the Phase 2 proposed project consists of the rehabilitation and improvement of a previously existing park. Both Phases are 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 will be 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).
Separately, as part of the LWCF grant funding Phase 2 of the proposed project, the National Park Service directed the City to complete cultural and biological studies to substantiate the City’s compliance with certain LWCF criteria. The City completed these studies, and submitted the studies and related compliance documents for review by the National Park Service. Staff expects to complete this review process well in advance of the commencement date for construction on the Phase 2 proposed project.
CLIMATE IMPACT
The Phase 2 scope includes: promoting clean transportation options by incorporating EV charging stations within the new parking lot, complying with the City’s Zero Waste Implementation Plan to minimize solid waste disposal (including construction and demolition debris), minimizing the need for irrigation and, when necessary, utilizing only water-efficient irrigation systems, and mitigating excessive storm water runoff with the use of infiltration trenches and bioretention basins. In addition, and also aligned with the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, is that the singular new Phase 2 structure, a pre-engineered public restroom building, will be all-electric for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Verde Design, Inc. for engineering services for Phase 2 of Estuary Park, at 201 Mosley Avenue, No. P. W. 02-23-03, for a not-to-exceed amount of $295,825, which includes a ten (10.04%) percent contingency.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Jack Dybas, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement