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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE AND TRANSFER FUNDS, AND RATIFY THE EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER PLAY YARD PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Accept and appropriate funds in the amount of $100,000 from the Spanos Foundation to the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
2. Accept and appropriate funds in the amount of $50,000 from San Joaquin County to the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
3. Transfer of budget in the amount of $50,000 from the Police Department Animal Services Special Services Operating Account Number 3513-303-630006-100-000-20-35-000-000 to the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
4. Transfer of budget in the amount of $65,000 from the FY 2024-2025 Non-Departmental Special Services General Fund Account Number 0010-000-630006-100-000-10-00-000-000 to the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
5. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
6. Approve Notice of Exemption No. NOE46-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
7. Approve and ratify the plans and specifications for the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
8. Approve findings and ratify the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract in the amount of $254,582 to Stratus Construction Company of Stockton, CA, for the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012, involves the exterior remodeling of approximately 2,056 square feet of the existing outdoor exercise area within the Animal Shelter. The project includes creating five fenced and gated play areas, as well as a shade structure that will cover most of the play area. The play yard will feature artificial turf. Each play area will be equipped with a new hose bib, a dog drinking fountain, and a power outlet. The entire area will have drainage installed beneath the synthetic turf, connecting to the existing nearby storm system, and a fabric shade structure.
On September 5, 2024, the City Manager approved an Emergency Procurement for the construction of the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012. Public Works’ staff received a proposal from Stratus Construction Company of Stockton, CA, in the amount of $254,582.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution ratifying the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract, in the amount of $254,582, to Stratus Construction Company of Stockton, CA, for the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications for the project. It is further recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE46-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and authorize the appropriation and transfer of necessary funds to fully fund the Emergency Construction Contract with Stratus Construction Company plus construction contingencies and administrative costs. Construction of the Animal Shelter Play Yard project started in October 2024 and is approximately 95% complete. The project will be completed by spring 2026 and is ready to serve the animals during construction. The Animal Shelter Renovation project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2026.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Stockton Animal Shelter facility is located at 1575 South Lincoln Street in Stockton, CA (Attachment A). The facility is a vital asset that serves the welfare of the community’s animals. The Animal Shelter facility was constructed in 1959 and has undergone at least five expansions together with minor facility upgrades. The facility consistently struggles with capacity issues due to large service volumes for cats and dogs.
In addition to the Animal Shelter Play Yard project, the Animal Shelter Renovation project is also underway. Both projects complement each other as they will both bring needed upgrades to the interior and exterior of the facility to help better serve our community and pet population.
The Animal Shelter Renovation, Project No. P023001, is a substantial expansion that will add a cattery, medical facilities for animal treatments, and an animal play area together with needed office space and improvements to the building façade. The project will require coordination and/or interim relocation of existing staff offices, parking, and animal operations as needed. It was anticipated that on-going construction could result in increased stress to the animals, which would need to be managed. Therefore, renovations of the existing Animal Shelter play area were separated and advanced from the Animal Shelter Renovation project. The goal was to enable completion of the Animal Shelter Play Yard as soon as possible to mitigate animal overcrowding and to help reduce animal stress during construction. The existing Animal Shelter play area will be upgraded to include an all-weather area with shade, new plumbing for drainage, electrical power, and fencing.
Present Situation
On September 5, 2024, the City Manager approved an Emergency Procurement for the construction of the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012. Public Works’ staff received a proposal from Stratus Construction Company of Stockton, CA, in the amount of $254,582.
The project followed provisions in Chapter 3.68.070 of the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) for emergency construction as the shelter was experiencing overcrowding and extreme heat. During construction, unforeseen design issues and complications with the larger Animal Shelter Renovation project slowed the overall progress of the Play Yard project. Fortunately, staff worked with the contractor to make adjustments in the field that brought the project to completion. It is the goal of the department to bring emergency contracts to Council by the next scheduled Council meeting following the City Manager’s execution. However, workload, assigned priorities, and staffing shortages have caused delays in the timeline.
The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA as specified under Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines. The activities related to this project constitute a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project that does not have a significant effect on the environment. The resolution will approve the filing of Notice of Exemption No. NOE46-24 under CEQA.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution ratifying the City Manager’s approval to execute an Emergency Construction Contract, in the amount of $254,582, to Stratus Construction Company of Stockton, CA, for the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012.
It is also recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications for the project. It is further recommended that Council adopt a resolution approving Notice of Exemption No. NOE46-24 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and authorizing the appropriation and transfer of necessary funds to fully fund the Emergency Construction Contract with Stratus Construction Company plus construction contingencies and administrative costs. Lastly, it is recommended that a construction contingency in the amount of $50,000 be appropriated to the project to account for unforeseen conditions.
Construction of the Animal Shelter Play Yard project is complete with the attachment of the fabric shade structure being incorporated into the larger Animal Shelter Renovation project which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2026.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. Construction of the Animal Shelter Renovation project will adversely impact animal stress and could temporarily increase overcrowding during the construction phasing.
2. Advancing emergency construction of the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012, is essential to help mitigate animal stress and overcrowding.
3. Stratus Construction Company was selected as the most qualified construction contractor given the following:
• Experienced local contractor in this classification of project;
• The contractor was responsive and could start work upon the City’s issuance of a Notice to Proceed; and
• Stratus Construction Company submitted a reasonable bid within the available funding and possessed the necessary licenses and bonds to perform the work.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With the appropriation and transfer of funds from various accounts and outside sources, there will be sufficient budget in the Animal Shelter Play Yard, Project No. P024012, to fund all construction-related costs to complete the project.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map