City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 5, 2023
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Follow-Up Report on the Community Center Complex Project
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a follow-up report on the Community Center Complex Project based on feedback received at the August 21, 2023 Council Meeting regarding the seating capacity of the Community Hall and provide staff with comments and direction on the layout of the Community Hall.
BACKGROUND
The Community Center Complex Project will be constructed in multiple phases based on available funding. Phase 1 includes “Building A” which is comprised of the Teen Innovation Center, County Library, meeting rooms, restrooms, large courtyard including an amphitheater and site improvements (new driveway, wet/dry utilities, parking lot and landscaping). Phase 2 will construct “Building B” which will be comprised of the Community Center which has a Community Hall, Fitness Center, commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and restrooms.
At the June 5, 2023 Council meeting, the Design/Build contract for the project was awarded to the Design/Build team of Otto Construction and WRNS Studios. The Council also authorized the Notice to Proceed with Design Services for Phases 1 and 2 at a not-to-exceed amount of $4,900,446.
The Notice to Proceed with Design Services was effective June 16, 2023. Over the last ten weeks the Design/Build team has advanced the design of the project based on feedback from city staff, user groups and Group 4 (Design Criteria Architect).
As mentioned at the August 21, 2023 Council meeting, there are four primary phases to deliver the Community Center Complex:
AGENDA
ITEM
6 1. Design Development
2. Preparation of Construction Documents
3. Obtaining a city building permit and getting final bids from Otto Construction’s subcontractors.
4. Construction
During the Design Development Phase, the footprint and configuration of the various buildings are refined and finalized as adjustments during preparation of the Construction Documents will result in additional costs.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
At the August 21, 2023 Council meeting, the City Council asked staff to increase the capacity of Community Hall beyond the 200 person capacity for banquet-style seating in the current building layout.
Assuming the budget for the project cannot be increased, the following options were reviewed to expand the seating capacity of Community Hall:
1. Eliminate the Courtyard Amphitheater and reprogram the associated cost to expand the Community Hall. This isn’t recommended for the following reasons:
a. Constructing an Amphitheater has been part of the project layout since preparation of the Design Criteria documents two years ago and is part of activating the courtyard with various performances.
b. The City received a $1.5M private contribution to construct the amphitheater. The city would need to return this funding if the amphitheater isn’t built.
2. Remove the permanent stage in the Hall along with the “back of house” spaces and allocate the associated 850 square feet for seating in the Community Hall. This would result in a 280 person capacity for banquet-style seating. A portable stage would be brought in for performances, which would displace 30 seats, resulting in a 250 person capacity.
3. Defer design and construction of the Fitness Center to a later phase and shift the associated budget to the Community Hall. The 1,620 square feet of space for the Fitness Center would be repurposed into space for the Community Hall and would result in an approximately 350 person capacity for banquet-style seating. A portable stage would be brought in for performances that require a stage, which would displace 30 seats, resulting in 320 person capacity.
4. Use Modular Construction or “Butler Building” for the Community Hall to increase the size of the hall due to perceived cost savings. These options consist of pre-engineered long-span steel structural elements. Pros include durability, a streamlined construction schedule, and an increased lifespan of the structure due to use of steel structural elements in lieu of wood. Since both options use high-quality steel structural elements, the perceived cost savings of these options is only relative to other structural steel buildings. When compared to the current wood-framed design of the Community Hall, neither option would provide up-front cost savings. Butler Buildings (or Metal Buildings) are much more effective as a storage facility, mid-size warehouse, or a barn.
Modular construction is an effective solution for simple but repetitive construction projects like a large school facility with numerous classrooms of the same size and layout, but for one large Community Hall building it loses some efficiency. Additional cons include longer design and approval timelines, limited availability of local installers, a decrease in energy efficiency, limited design flexibility, and reduced aesthetics.
5. Review whether using Rectangular Tables instead of Round Tables increases available banquetstyle seating. Conclusion: Round Tables yield a higher capacity The presentation at the Council meeting will include additional details regarding the Design Development of the Community Hall. To maintain the project schedule, it’s important for the Council to provide direction to staff on which option the Design/Build team should focus on.
How Recommendation 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 multi-use 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
ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives to the size and footprint of the Community Hall are presented as part of this staff report.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no budget impact related to this staff report and presentation.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a follow-up report on the Community Center Complex Project based on feedback received at the August 21, 2023 Council Meeting regarding the seating capacity of the Community Hall and provide staff with comments and direction on the layout of the Community Hall.
Attachments:
1. Powerpoint presentation