BACKGROUND:
In December 2021, California State Parks awarded Cathedral City $8,498,000 of Statewide Park Program (SPP) Round 4 grant funds for the Dream Homes Park Project (Project). Following the notice of award in February 2022, the City received authorization from California State Parks to proceed with the design and construction of the Project.
In June 2022, Verde Design, Inc. was awarded a Design Professional Services Agreement for Professional Landscape Architect, Design, and Engineering Services of the Dream Homes Park to prepare final design and engineering plans, contract bid documents, and provide technical oversight during the construction of the Dream Homes Park.
One of many items described and required in the grant application is the construction of a six-foot (6 ft.) high perimeter wall on the west side of the park to provide a physical separation between the backyards of the existing residences and the Park. During the Project design phase, City Staff and the Project Designer determined the perimeter wall could be bid out separately from the overall Project. The perimeter wall is a large item compared to the overall construction cost of the park, with an Engineer’s Estimate of $1,000,000. By bidding out the wall separately, there is an opportunity for savings on the markup cost a prime contractor would include for subcontracting out the wall work.
DISCUSSION:
City Staff advertised an invitation to bid on August 23, 2023, and August 30, 2023, requesting qualified contractors to perform the construction of the 6-foot-high perimeter wall and all incidental work as described in the Project Plans and Specifications of Bid No. B23-10E, for this Project. This solicitation was made available to contractors for twenty-one (21) calendar days and advertised in the following locations:
•Desert Sun – Published on August 23, 2023, and August 30, 2023 •PlanIt Print Works – From August 23, 2023, until September 13, 2023 •City’s Website – From August 23, 2023, until September 13, 2023 On September 13, 2023, the City received three (3) bid proposals for this Project. The following table lists each qualified bidder by total price:
RANK CONTRACTOR AMOUNT
1 Urban Habitat (La Quinta, CA) $ 795,750.73
2 Bellakai Construction (Carlsbad, CA) $ 1,250,000.00
3 M.A. Steiner Construction Inc. (Orangevale, CA) $ 2,489,800.00 The Bid Tabulation prepared by the Engineering Division is attached to this report for reference.
Based on the bids received, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is Urban Habitat from La Quinta, CA.
Engineering Staff is recommending the City Council award a construction contract to Urban Habitat, in the amount of $795,750.73 for the construction of Dream Homes Park Perimeter Wall Project (C07021); approve a fifteen percent (15%) contingency in the amount of $119,362.61 for any unforeseeable construction costs; thereby, bringing the total construction budget for this Project to $915,113.34; authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents; and authorize the City Engineer to request bonds and insurance for the Project and issue the Notice to Proceed.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
These projects are categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for federally funded projects per 24CFR58.35 (a)(1), and Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15301 for “Existing Facilities”.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the Dream Homes Park Project will come from the City’s Proposition 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant award of $8,498,000. The award covers 100% of the eligible costs, including the construction cost for the perimeter wall which will be charged to the account code 331-150-150-156- 8800-8802.
The remaining balance of Proposition 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant including on-going consultant agreements, miscellaneous items, cooperative purchasing items, and perimeter wall is as follows:
Total Grant Award $ 8,498,000.00
Encumbrances
Description Amount
MVR Consulting - Grant Support Contract $ 93,900.00 On going Verde Design - Design Contract $ 560,000.00 On going Miscellaneous Items (as of October 2023) $ 934.41 Cooperative Purchasing Items $ 1,191,668.69
6 FT. High Perimeter Wall $ 915,113.34
Total Encumbrances $ 2,761,616.44
Remaining Balance $ 5,736,383.56
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
GOAL B: COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Objective: Cathedral City roads, gateways, public spaces, and other city infrastructure are well planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.