1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 28, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director VIA: Mike del Campo, Forestry and Landscape Superintendent BY: Dena Moon, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize a Design-Build Contract for Request for Proposal No. 1524 Replacement of Playground Equipment at Santa Anita Playlot
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING
AND ADOPTING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND
ACCEPTING AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR BID SCHEDULE NO. 1524, THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR SANTA ANITA PARK PROJECT, TO ZOOM RECREATION, INC. BASED UPON THE HIGHEST RANKED BIDDER AND THE BEST VALUE TO THE CITY (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
The Parks and Recreation Department (Department) has a replacement schedule for play equipment citywide. The schedule reflects the age and condition of the play equipment, as well as industry standards and compliance regulations. This proposed project (Project) includes the design and installation of new play equipment and replacement of the existing shade structure fabric at Santa Anita Playlot Playground (Playground).
The existing equipment at the Playground was installed in 2011. The Playground, while safe, has exceeded its useful life. Consequently, it is necessary to replace the playground equipment to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. As with the existing play equipment, the new equipment will be for age groups two to five years of age and children five to 12 years of age. The scope of work will include removal of existing and installation of new playground equipment and shade structures.
2 The Department prides itself on creating unique play areas and experiences for all park users. It is the Department’s goal that park amenities or playgrounds throughout Burbank have a different element, look, and feel. The playground equipment selected will provide children with an innovative play area to exercise and develop other critical social skills.
The Playground is a pocket park serving the area located in the former Verdugo -Lake Focus Area Neighborhood, in Census Tract 3118, where 72.89% of the population meet Housing and Urban Development (HUD) low -moderate income levels. Because this Project will assist low to moderate income residents, the Department successfully secured $282,328 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding.
The Department was also awarded a Los Angeles County Measure A (Measure A) grant to offset the balance needed to complete the Project in the amount of approximately $304,985. The total project cost is approximately $587,313.
On February 9, 2023, staff presented the Playground rendering to the Parks and Recreation Board (Board). At the time, the Department planned to utilize a cooperative agreement to expedite the Playground replacement. However, upon further review by CDBG staff regarding the appropriateness of using a cooperative agreement with CDBG funding, it was determined that conducting a formal competitive procurement process was necessary to meet the program’s requirements.
DISCUSSION
To meet the requirements for the CDBG program, staff conducted a formal competitive procurement process that ensured compliance with federal guidelines, promote d transparency, and provide d an equitable opportunity for qualified vendors or service providers to participate. On May 22, 2024, Bid Schedule No. 1524 was prepared and advertised publicly. Bid Schedule No. 1524 solicited proposals from a variety of play equipment contractors to replace playground equipment systems suitable for children two to five years of age and children five to 12 years of age.
In response to Bid Schedule No. 1524, the City received four proposals by the June 18, 2024 proposal submission deadline. Only one of the four proposers who responded to Bid Schedule No. 1524 qualified for the initial review and screening process. Thereafter, Zoom Recreation, Inc . (Zoom), the qualified proposer, moved forward to the evaluation phase of the process. As part of the evaluation process, Zoom was evaluated by three Department staff members from various Divisions , all with diverse knowledge and experience in playground equipment, recreation activities, and grant compliance. These staff members are part of Landscape and Forestry; Recreation Services; and Administration, Business Services, and Facility Operations.
Based on feedback from the initial community outreach for the Playground, the original design submitted by Zoom did not adequately address the community's needs. In 3 response, City staff worked collaboratively with Zoom to revise the initial playground rendering submitted as part of the aforementioned competitive procurement process.
Subsequently, the newly redesigned proposal, which aligns with the community's needs, was presented and approved by the Board at the January 9, 2025 meeting.
ENVIROMENTAL REVIEW
This Project has been determined to be Categorically Exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to § 15302 of the State CEQA Guidelines pertaining to replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities, where the new structures and facilities will be located on the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structures and facilities being replaced.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract price is $587,313. There will be no fiscal impact resulting from the recommended action, as the total cost for the Project was approved through the Budget Process and will be fully funded by CDBG and Measure A. Funds are available in the following project accounts for the Santa Anita Playground:
370.PR21A.70003.0000.24903 (General City Capital Projects, Facility Planning, Park Improvements, Santa Anita Playground), and 122.CD25A.6305 1.0000.24903 (Community Development Block Grant, Park Improvements, Santa Anita Playground).
CONCLUSION
Staff is pleased with the proposed playground design and project schedule presented by Zoom Recreation, Inc. The completion of this Project will attract residents, of all ages to come out and enjoy the wonderful amenities in the City’s park system.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Concept Renderings