City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 6, 2022
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Community Center Tree Removal
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation from City staff on issuance of a bid document for Tree Removal for the Community Center Complex site, and provide staff with any feedback.
BACKGROUND
The Community Center Complex will be constructed on a city-owned parcel just east of Fairview Middle School and will comprise of the following elements:
1. A Community Center, with a large multi-purpose room, indoor/outdoor stage, flexible meeting rooms, restrooms, offices, and a teaching or catering kitchen
2. Monterey County branch library relocated from the Gonzales Shopping Center
3. A Teen Innovation Center.
4. On-site parking, landscaping, and areas for outdoor activities The first field activity related to site preparation for the project is removal of the existing trees. From the CEQA/NEPA documents prepared for the project, to reduce impacts to nesting birds, the trees should be removed between September 15 and January 15. In advance of the tree removal, a qualified biologist will conduct a habitat assessment as required by the CEQA/NEPA document.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
City staff with support from Swinerton Management & Consulting prepared a bid document to remove the existing trees on the project site. The bid document was issued on August 25 and the expected schedule is in the below table:
AGENDA
ITEM
15 Schedule Date
Issue for Public Bid 8/25/2022
Bid Opening at City Hall at 2:00PM 9/21/2022
Award Construction Contract at City Council Meeting 10/03/2022 Construction Contract Executed 10/07/2022
Preconstruction Meeting / Notice to Proceed 10/13/2022
ContractorMobilization 10/18/2022
Complete Tree Removal work (25 working days) 11/22/2022 The cost for this contract is expected to be in the range of $175,000 to $225,000.
The trees will be replaced as part of the landscaping work when the Community Center Complex is constructed.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Constructing a Community Center will provide residents with a facility for a wide variety of public and private functions, recreation programs and other activities which will enhance the quality of life of Gonzales residents.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Mission.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes X No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: See Vision explanation above.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council can direct staff to cancel or postpone the bid issuance for the Tree Removal Contract until a later date. Staff does not recommend this due to the limited window for tree removal work due to potential for nesting birds.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no budget impact related to this staff report.
CONCLUSION
Receive a presentation from City staff on issuance of a bid document for Tree Removal for the Community Center Complex site, and provide staff with any feedback.
Attachments:
1. Gonzales Tree and Stump Removal sheet