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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT AND APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THE COLUMBUS PARK RENOVATIONS PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual Budget to appropriate additional funds from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services in the amount of $3,351,340 to the Columbus Park Renovations, Project No. WP22041, for the renovations of the Columbus Park.
2. Award a Professional Services Contract to Callander Associates, of Gold River, CA, in the amount of $352,064, for design of the Columbus Park Renovations, Project No. WP22041.
3. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
It is 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
Columbus Park, located at 401 West Worth Street, is approximately two acres. On December 14, 2020, a grant application for the Columbus Park Renovations project was submitted for Proposition 68 (2018 Bond Act) funding. The City was successful and was awarded $3,351,340.00 in Proposition 68 grant funds.
The approval of the 2020-21 California State Budget, Chapter 6, Statutes of 2020, Contract No. C9803053, included a budget allocation item specific to the City of Stockton in an amount of $3,351,340 for the Columbus Park Renovations project.
The Columbus Park Renovations project will provide a new community garden, new playground and swing area, restroom, picnic shelter, bioswale, public art, adult fitness area, basketball courts, ADA pathway and lighting, and landscaping throughout the park.
On February 24, 2022, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design of the Columbus Park Renovations project. On March 23, 2022, the City received three proposals. A Selection Committee evaluated the three proposals and found Callander Associates of Gold River, CA, to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm.
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $352,064 to Callander Associates for design services of the Columbus Park Renovations project.
Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the grant award funding of $3,351,340 from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and make all necessary appropriations in compliance with and for the purpose stated in the grant applications.
DISCUSSION
Background
Columbus Park, located at 401 West Worth Street, is a two-acre park. Columbus Park includes half-court basketball and a few benches and tables (Attachment A - Vicinity Map). There are minimal activities and amenities to keep visitors of all ages active and engaged. Currently, it attracts homeless encampments and has become an illegal dumping ground. Renovation of the park is needed to meet the needs of the neighborhood.
Proposition 68 (2018 Parks Bond Act), formally known as the “California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018”, was passed by voters on June 6, 2018. This approval made funding available to the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP). The SPP received $650,275,000 from Proposition 68 to be distributed throughout multiple rounds of grant awards. The intent of this program is to create new parks and recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California.
On November 17, 2020, by Resolution No. 2020-11-17-1404-02, Council authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application for the Columbus Park Renovations project for the request of Proposition 68 grant funds. Potential improvements include: new community garden, new playground and swing area, restroom, picnic shelter, bioswale, public art, adult fitness area, basketball courts, ADA pathway and lighting, and landscaping throughout the park.
The City was successful in competing for the Proposition 68 grant funds and was awarded $3,351,340 for design and construction of the proposed park improvements (Attachment B- Grant Contract). The grant program is administered by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024 and be completed by the end of 2024.
Present Situation
On February 24, 2022, the City advertised an RFP for design of the Columbus Park Renovations project. On March 23, 2022, three proposals were received from the following firms:
• Callander Associates (Gold River, CA)
• Gates Associates (Walnut Creek, CA)
• Siegfried Engineering, Inc. (Stockton, CA)
A Selection Committee comprised of Public Works and Community Services staff evaluated and ranked all proposals based on each firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of projects, staff qualifications, technical ability, project approach, cost, and local preference.
Callander Associates received the highest ranking, based on the noted criteria, and was determined to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm for this project. Staff negotiated a fee in the amount of $352,064 with Callander Associates for design of the Columbus Park Renovations project. The negotiated fee is approximately 11 percent of the estimated project cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity.
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $352,064 to Callander Associates for design services of the Columbus Park Renovations project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024 and be completed by the end of 2024.
Staff also recommends that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the grant award funding of $3,351,340 from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and make all necessary appropriations in compliance with and for the purpose stated in the grant applications.
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The City does not have sufficient staff resources to perform the design required for this project.
2. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Professional Services Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of the criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
3. The City negotiated a contract following solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Public Works Department will deliver the Columbus Park Renovations project. The following appropriations will provide sufficient funding to approve a contract in the amount of $352,064 with Callander Associates.
• Increase State Grant Revenue Fund, account number 0000-000-430201-300-000-00-00-000-000-, in the amount of $3,351,340; and
• Appropriate Proposition 68 (2018 Parks Bond Act) funds in the amount of $3,351,340 to the Columbus Park Renovations, Project No. WP22041, account number 4540-000-800007-300-000-30-45-000-000-.
There is no matching fund requirement for the project grant and no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended actions.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Grant Contract