BACKGROUND:
On November 9, 2022, the City Council approved an agreement with Verde Design, Inc. to produce a conceptual design plan for the Downtown Dog Park (Park). The final conceptual design has been completed and is attached to this Staff Report.
The conceptual design features fenced large and small dog park areas with fabric shade structures, pet waste stations, trash receptacles, benches, drinking fountains with pet bowls, a walking path, drought-tolerant landscaping and trees, lighting, and a restroom/storage facility. The concept plan also includes four (4) pickleball courts as an additional park amenity providing more functionality to the limited space, thus servicing an additional interest group.
Constructing a Park on the former Second Street Park property is a logical choice of location for this Project. Even though a portion of the Second Street Park property was utilized for the City’s new Fire Station 411, there is sufficient land to repurpose the park as shown in the conceptual design. There is also the potential to salvage the existing onsite restroom building to be used with the new park.
At the time of the FY 2023-24 and 2024-25 Biennial Budget preparation, the City Council and the City Staff discussed that to determine the actual costs to construct the Park, the final engineering and landscaping design plans for the Park would be the best vehicle to provide the most accurate engineer’s estimate of probable construction costs of the Park versus the rough order of magnitude estimate provided with the conceptual plan.
Another consideration was that by having final engineering and landscaping design plans completed, a shovel ready construction project is more attractive to potential grant application reviewers.
Overall, the above two considerations are the driving momentum to get design plans for this Park completed. As grants are getting more competitive, once design plans are in hand, Staff can be more competitive in the efforts to secure additional funding sources for the construction of the Park.
DISCUSSION:
On July 19, 2023, and July 26, 2023, the Engineering Department advertised a Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/P) for Professional Landscape, Architect, Design, and Engineering Services for the Downtown Dog Park, CIP No. C07016. The RFQ/P was published on the Desert Sun and City Website. It was also circulated to all landscape- architect companies (Consultants) indicating interest in providing design services for the City. The Consultants were given until August 10, 2023, to submit qualifications and a cost proposal including their hourly rates and/or unit costs for various services.
The City received three (3) proposals in response to the RFQ/P from the following Consultant companies:
•BMLA Landscape Architecture, Inc. – Corona, CA
•David Volz Design – Costa Mesa, CA with an office in La Quinta, CA •Verde Design, Inc. – Santa Clara, CA with an office in Riverside, CA The three (3) proposals were reviewed by an evaluation committee composed of members of City Staff. It was determined all consultants providing proposals were responsive, qualified, and knowledgeable about the requirements for the various tasks and understanding of the Project. Based on the evaluation committee’s review and ranking of the proposals, David Volz Design (DVD) was ranked as the highest rated company to perform the Project design. The evaluation committee’s scores and rankings are attached to this Staff Report.
The cost proposal of David Volz Design was opened and reviewed by City Staff. DVD’s original cost proposal was higher than expected. City Staff negotiated with DVD and agreed to a final revised cost of $375,797 for professional landscape, architect, design, and engineering services.
City Staff recommends the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with David Volz Design in the not-to-exceed amount of $375,797 to prepare the plans, specifications and environmental documents for the Cathedral City Downtown Dog Park; and, approve a ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $37,579 for unforeseeable design costs, making the total encumbrance $413,376; and, authorize the City Manager to execute the required contract documents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost estimate for David Volz Design to prepare the plans, specifications and environmental documents for the Downtown Dog Park is in the amount of $375,797.
Staff is proposing a ten percent (10%) contingency, in the amount of $37,579 for unforeseeable design costs, bringing the total project cost estimate to $413,376.
David Volz Design Cost Estimate $375,797
10% Contingency $ 37,579
Total Project Design Cost Estimate $413,376
As of June 30, 2023, the City has a Fund Balance of $962,526.75 in the Develop Impact Fee account for Park and Recreation Facilities.
The Biennial Budget Park Improvement Plan (PIP) shows in the FY 2024-2025 an amount of $500,000 programmed for the Downtown Dog Park.
City Staff is proposing a budget adjustment by allocating programmed funds in the amount of $413,376 to the FY2023-2024 PIP account number 253-500-510-511-8601, account A01408 for the design phase of the Downtown Dog Park Project Developer Fees Account $899,554
Downtown Dog Park Cost Estimate (w/ contingency) $413,376 Remaining Balance Developer Fees Account $486,178
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.