CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: 1/17/2023
Subject
Consider authorizing the Director of Public Works to reject all bids received for the Blackberry Farm Pool Improvements Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project.
Recommended Action
Authorize the Director of Public Works to reject all bids received for the Blackberry Farm Pool Improvements Project.
Background
The Blackberry Farm Pools were originally purchased in 1991. The pools were reconditioned in 1995 and re-plastered in 2010. The industry standard is to have pools re-plastered or otherwise improved every eight to ten years. In 2019, $200,000 was allocated in the Facilities Operation Budget to replaster the pools. The project was advertised for bid on October 23, 2019. One bid was received in the amount of $469,000. On December 3, 2019, Council rejected that bid, as it exceeded the available budget. As a result, the Director of Public Works was authorized to proceed with a project that had a reduced scope, which was related to deficiencies identified in the 2019 California Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection report. The reduced scope, implemented in 2021-22, included spot repairs to resolve rust stains showing through the pool plaster. Making these repairs allowed the facility to continue operating.
Discussion
Following the 2019 project advertisement it was determined that the project would require an additional accessibility scope to bring the site into compliance with Americans with Disability Act and California Building Code standards. The revised Blackberry Farm Pool Improvement Project was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 CIP Budget, with an authorized project expenditure of $750,000.
The project was advertised for bid on November 09, 2022, and the following bids were received December 5, 2022:
Bidder
Bid Amount
% Overestimate
Engineers Estimate
$587,525.54
Western Water Features
$890,031.61
51.5%
Tricon Aquatic Solutions
$1,048,956.69
78.5%
Both bids significantly exceed the authorized expenditure. In reviewing the submitted bids, staff found that the proposed costs for project components directly related to pool improvements were comparable to the bid received in 2019. However, the proposed costs for the accessibility improvements greatly exceed the engineer’s estimate. Staff believes that by separating the accessibility items as a separate project and rebidding as two projects, significant cost savings can be achieved. To facilitate this, staff recommends that Council authorize the Director of Public Works to reject all bids.
With approval of the recommended action, staff will re-advertise as two separate projects, accessibility, and pool reconditioning. Because a minimum of 12 weeks is required for re-plastering the pools, it is not likely that this project work would complete prior to the 2023 swim season. The project schedule will be adjusted so that pool improvements begin immediately after the 2023 swim season. In consultation with maintenance staff, although not ideal, the pool reconditioning can wait until the end of the swim season.
Sustainability Impact
This action does not have any direct sustainability impact.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The recommended action is not a project subject to CEQA.
Fiscal Impact
The FY 21-22 Budget allocated $750,000 for the Blackberry Farm Pool Improvements Project (budget unit 420-99-073 900-905.) Of that amount, $691,000 is currently available for construction and construction support services. No additional appropriations are requested at this time. _____________________________________
Prepared by: Jo Anne Johnson, Project Manager
Reviewed by: Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager Reviewed by: Matt Morley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
None