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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2025
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AWARD A DESIGN CONTRACT TO SWA GROUP FOR LA PALMA
PARK AND SWAN STREET PARKING LOT RENOVATION
PROJECT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 07
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Award a Professional Design Services Agreement (Agreement) to SWA Group (SWA) for the La Palma Park and Swan Street Parking Lot Renovation Project, in the amount of $1,390,875;
2. Authorize and direct the Director of Community Services or designee, on behalf of the City, to execute the Agreement, in substantial form attached hereto, and any other related documents and take such actions as are necessary to implement and administer the Agreement, and authorize de minimis changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the Agreement, as determined by the City Attorney's Office;
3. Authorize the Director of Community Services to increase the contract amount by up to 10%, if such increase is necessary; and
4. Determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (Information Collection).
DISCUSSION:
Located in central Anaheim and opened in 1939, La Palma Park (park) is one of Anaheim’s oldest, largest, and most well-used parks that hosts popular festivals as well as many sporting events and celebrations. While the east portion of the park provides active uses, the approximately 10-acre west portion has mostly passive and outdated amenities that include dated picnic shelters, open turf area, playground, Martin Recreation Center, and a parking lot. Additionally, located across the street, Swan Street parking lot provides parking for Glover Stadium sporting events, as well as festivals at the park, and is in need of renovation. The original, thin asphalt surface is cracked, broken, and beyond repair.
Award a Design Contract to SWA Group for La Palma Park and Swan Street Parking Lot Renovation Project February 4, 2025
Local residents and user groups have advocated for the revitalization and activation of the west portion of the park. In response to this, Community Services staff worked with surrounding community members and stakeholders to learn what would make the park a more fun, beautiful, and safe place to visit. These outreach efforts resulted in a community envisioned Master Plan with new recreational facilities and amenities. The community-requested features include soccer fields, improved lighting, exercise equipment, walking paths, new playground, covered picnic areas, open air sports arena, restroom building, and more.
In November 2024, to move the Master Plan forward, the Community Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to 16 consultants to provide proposals for design services including Construction Documents, and Construction Administration.
Proposal responses were received from ten firms, two of which were deemed non- responsive. Below is a list of consultant firms and their proposed fees:
Consultant Fee
BMLA Unresponsive
David Volz Design Unresponsive
BGB Design Group $720,769
Hirsch and Associates $751,650
RJM Design Group $1,116,966
SWA Group $1,390,875
Verde Design $1,473,133
NUVIS $1,735,084
RRM Design Group $1,844,131
AECOM $2,653,844
Based upon the evaluation rating review, and as established by Council Policy No. 4.1, a panel made up of two Community Services staff and one Public Works staff member reviewed and rated all submittals based on the established criteria. The proposal by SWA Group (SWA) was found to best meet the requirements of the RFP and was deemed to be the most qualified and responsive firm for this project based on their understanding of the project, project approach, prior experience on like projects, qualifications of staff, and responsive scope of services. SWA has designed a multitude of similarly constructed active and passive park projects throughout California that offer a variety of sports, play, special events, and other recreational programming areas. SWA is an award-winning firm with over 67 years of experience designing public spaces with the qualifications to design and develop construction documents that will fulfill the community-envisioned Master Plan.
This Project is in line with City’s Strategic Plan Goal C Invest in Infrastructure and Amenities, Strategy 11 - Review and implement the Parks Master Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Community Services Department recommends that the City Council determine that this action is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of Award a Design Contract to SWA Group for La Palma Park and Swan Street Parking Lot Renovation Project February 4, 2025
the California Code of Regulations, which pertains to information gathering purposes leading to an action that a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Community Services Department’s FY 2024/2025 Capital Improvement Program budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Agreement
2. Location Map
3. Master Plan