REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
ARMANDO CERVANTES, Engineer I
Public Works Department, Site Development Project Management Section
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an agreement for professional engineering services with O’Dell Engineering, Inc. for $429,400, with a $44,000 contingency, for design and construction support services for the Play Structure Improvements Project (Council Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approve a consultant services agreement with O’Dell Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $429,400, with a $44,000 contingency, for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Play Structure Improvements Project and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS) proposes to design and install play area improvements at eleven parks within the City of Fresno; five of which are located within Highest-Need neighborhoods, as defined by resolution adopted by the City Council December 9, 2021. Improvements will be tailored to fit the needs of each park and may include new soft fall rubberized safety surfaces, shade structures, waste receptacles, picnic tables, park benches, and will assess the existing conditions of the play structures and equipment to identify and specify repairs. Additionally, the play areas will be assessed for necessary accessibility improvements. The play structure improvements and amenities will enhance park guest experience, safety, and accessibility. The contract for professional engineering design services will be funded with Measure P and General Fund allocations made in the adopted Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. Council approval of the consultant agreement is recommended to facilitate development of plans, cost estimates, and general construction contract documents necessary to complete the project.
BACKGROUND
The City adopted the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Transactions and Use Tax (Measure P) which included funds for the planning, designing, engineering, and permitting activities for improving and maintaining safe, clean neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
The PARCS Department aims to address the goals of Measure P through improvements at the following parks: Bigby-Villa Park, California Tupman Park, Cary Park, Lafayette Park, Maxie L. Parks, Orchid Park, Romain Park, Rotary East Park, Sunnyside Park, Vinland Park, and Neilson Park within the city of Fresno. Bigby-Villa, California Tupman, Maxie L. Parks, Romain, and Neilson parks are all within Highest-Needs Neighborhoods.
The conditions of each play area will be assessed to identify repairs or replacements needed to ensure the continued functionality of the existing play structures. Accessible paths of travel to and from the play structures to existing amenities such as restrooms and seating areas will be evaluated, and improvements needed to ensure appropriate access to the structures will be recommended. The condition of the existing fall surfaces will be evaluated and where there is either wood mulch surfacing or a rubberized surfacing in poor repair, replacement of the surfaces with rubberized safety surfacing will be specified. The existing shade coverage will be assessed, and where inadequate shade coverage exists to ensure the play structures are shaded during the hottest times of the day, new shade structures will be specified. Finally, where existing site furnishings such as benches, picnic tables, and waste receptacles are found to be inadequate or inaccessible, new furnishings will also be specified. Pending verification that adequate funding exists for each project, plans for each will then be prepared for bidding and award.
In accordance with AO 6-19, staff sent out request for Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) in November 2022 via Planet Bids, email, and published in The Business Journal. Four (4) Statements of Qualifications were received, and staff interviewed the four (4) qualified respondents between January 9, 2023, and January 20, 2023. O’Dell Engineering, Inc., was determined to be the most qualified and responsive based on the consultant interviews. Staff negotiated a fee of $429,400, with a $44,000 contingency, for the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, bidding support services, and construction support services for this project.
Staff recommends City Council approval of the proposed agreement with O’Dell Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $429,400, with a $44,000 contingency, for the design and preparation of construction documents for the Play Structure Improvements Project at the various parks within the City of Fresno and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the proposed agreement as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A consultant agreement for the design of plans and cost estimates is not a “project” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines § 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
O’Dell Engineering, Inc., is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed project is in Council Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The Play Structure Improvements Project is funded through Measure P and General Fund appropriations included in the FY23 Annual Appropriations Resolution.
Attachment(s):
Consultant Agreement
Vicinity Maps
Location Maps