TO: City Council DATE: March 11, 2025 DEPARTMENT: Public Works Department
PREPARED BY: Alfredo Huerta, Assistant City Engineer PRESENTER: John Smith, Public Works Director
AGENDA TITLE:
Adopt City Council Resolution Awarding the Town Hall Retrofit & Bathroom Remodel Project, City Project No. PWP-00122, to Adams Commercial General Contracting, Inc. as the Lowest Responsible Bidder, Approving Budget Amendment 2024/25-09, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract (Not To Exceed $793,205); Categorical Exemption 15301
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Council Resolution Accepting the Lowest Responsive Bid, Awarding the Town Hall Retrofit & Bathroom Remodel Project, City Project No. PWP-00122 to Adams Commercial General Contracting, Inc., Approving Budget Amendment 2024/25-09, and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Contract (Amount Not To Exceed $793,205.00); Categorical Exemption 15301.
BACKGROUND
The Town Hall Retrofit & Bathroom Remodel Project (Project) construction was advertised for bidding in January 2025. The Project is in the City’s 2024/2025 Capital Project list with a budget of $140,000. Bids for the construction of the Project were opened on February 25, 2025. Four bids were received (Attachment 1), with the lowest bid coming from Adams Commercial General Contracting, Inc. (ACGC) for $793,205. The contractor has the proper license and experience and meets the requirements to be considered a responsive bidder, and staff recommends making the award.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Fort Bragg Town Hall building was constructed in 1912 as the Fort Bragg Commercial Bank building. Over the years, the building has been used as a County Court House and Sheriff’s Office. The City acquired the building in 1989 after it was damaged in the September 1987 fires. In 1990, the City completed fire damage repairs and remodeled Town Hall for use as a meeting and public gathering venue. Town Hall wall coverings and window coverings were updated in 1992. In 2009, the exterior of the building was painted and the parapets were replaced. In 2011, Town Hall lights were retrofitted as part of a city-wide energy efficiency project. In 2014, improvements were made to the meeting hall, including sound and video for public meetings, energy efficiency and lighting at the Council dais, flooring and window coverings, and interior paint.
Based on an expected 10-year life-cycle for exterior paint, the outside of Town Hall was due to be repainted in FY 21/22. In addition to painting, the current Project will repair damage caused by moisture near doors and windows, replace all windows, update storage and A/V areas, and remodel the restrooms to make them more accessible and visible for public use.
The Community Development Committee reviewed the preliminary plans and provided direction on the design of the project in June 2024. The design Architect, Calpo Hom & Dong Architects, completed the design in December 2024, and City staff put the Project out to bid in January 2025. The City received four (4) responsive bids when the bid period closed on February 25, 2025. One from ACGC for $793,205, one from Pro-Ex Construction, Inc. for $931,700; one from Interstate Drywall, Inc. for $1,109,800; and one from Cupples and Sons Construction Inc. for $1,110,302. As required by the California Public Contract Code and the City’s Municipal Code, the apparent low bidder is being recommended for the contract award.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
This project was budgeted for $140,000 in the FY 24/25 budget, which was carried over from the previous fiscal year(s) and was based only on the inclusion of the exterior paint and moisture damage repairs, not the bathroom remodel, window replacement, or A/V and storage upgrades since those changes came along after the original budget analysis. The lowest base bid from ACGC is $793,205, leaving a shortfall of $655,495.70. This project requires a building permit with an estimated cost of $5,000 and the rental of temporary bathrooms at Town Hall with an estimated cost of $3,000 that were not previously accounted for. Staff is recommending a budget amendment BA 2024/25-09 (Attachment 2) to increase the CIP budget by $663,495.70 to cover the base bid, building permit, and bathroom rental. Funds are available in the Internal Servies Fund (Facilities) to cover this additional amount.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and Title 14, the California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”), Section 15301 Existing Facilities. This exemption is appropriate because the project involves alterations such as partitions, plumbing and electrical conveyances on the preexisting facilities that are mainly repair and maintenance and do not expand the footprint of the site or surrounding area.
There will be a short-lived increase in greenhouse gas emissions during the construction phase due to the equipment necessary for the performance of the work. Increases in greenhouse gases will only occur during actual construction. All Air Quality Management District best management practices for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions during construction will be incorporated into the daily activities of this project.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY This project is consistent with General Plan Element 3 Public Facilities, which is intended to identify essential public facilities, buildings, and services and to ensure that the existing and future population of Fort Bragg is provided with the best feasible level of public services and infrastructure. This project has also been a priority for City Council since 2022 as the project provides a service to the community with the upgrades to the public restrooms and maintenance to Town Hall, which is used for public gatherings and events.
ALERNATIVES:
Direct staff to reject all current bids and re-bid the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Bid Opening Results
Budget Amendment 2024/25-09
ACGC Construction Contract
NOTIFICATION:
Adams Commercial General Contracting, Inc.
Pro-Ex Construction, Inc.
Interstate Drywall, Inc.
Cupples and Sons Construction, Inc.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8E
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT