City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 16, 2023
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Progress Report on the Community Center Project
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a progress report on delivery of the Community Center Complex Project and provide staff with comments and feedback.
BACKGROUND
With the passage of Measure X in the November 2020 election, the city began delivery of the Community Center Complex on city-owned property at Fifth Street/Gabilan Court. At the June 5, 2023 Council meeting, the Design/Build contract was awarded to Otto Construction/WRNS Studios and the Council authorized issuance of a Notice to Proceed with Design Services at a not-to-exceed amount of $4,900,446.
The DBE Agreement with Otto Construction was executed and the Notice to Proceed with Design Services for Phases 1 and 2 was issued effective June 16, 2023. Phase 1 is the Teen Innovation Center, County Library, meeting rooms, restrooms, courtyard including amphitheater and site improvements (new driveway, wet/dry utilities, parking lot and landscaping). Phase 2 is the Community Center including the Community Hall, Fitness Center, commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and restrooms.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
This staff report is comprised of the following sections:
• Funding/Financing Updates
• Building design and Site layout
AGENDA
ITEM
15 FUNDING/FINANCING UPDATES
The Community Center Complex is estimated to cost $34,525,300 for Phases 1 and 2 consisting of the Community Center, Teen Innovation Center, County Library and all site work. Construction of this significant civic project will be funded by a variety of sources including the following:
• Measure X (local sales tax)
• $5.0 M State grant secured by State Senator Anna Caballero • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG FY 2022/23 and FY 2023/24) • $1.8M County contribution to relocate existing library from the Gonzales Shopping Center • Various grants
• Capital Campaign with a $10.0 million goal
Update on US Department of Agriculture loan - To obtain debt financing for the project, staff applied to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a low interest loan secured by long term City revenue sources including Measure X. The formal application was submitted to USDA staff on 7/05/2023 and on 10/04/2023 staff received the attached letter indicating that a Rural Development Loan in the amount of $9,825,000 has been approved for Phase 1 of the Community Center Project.
Current funding for the project is:
SECURED FUNDING
1 Teen Innovation Center Grant (State Grant) $5,000,000 2 USDA Loan using Measure X funds $9,875,000
3 Community Development Block Grant (Federal monies) $800,000 4 County Library Contribution $1,800,000
5 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Grant $400,000
6 Building Forward Library Grant Program $1,067,430
7 Capital Campaign Contribution (private contributions and pledges) $6,600,000 Funding as of 10/01/2023 = $25,542,430
DBE Contract “Stipulated Sum” for Phase 1 = $23,619,838 Estimated Cost for Phase 2 = $10,905,462
Total Estimated Cost for Phases 1 and 2 = $34,525,300
BUILDING DESIGN AND SITE LAYOUT
There are five primary phases to design and construct the Community Center Complex:
1. Preparation of Design Development (July 2023 – October 2023)
2. Preparation of Construction Documents (November 2023 – February 2024)
3. The city issues grading and building permits for the project and Otto Construction obtains final bids from their subcontractors. (March 2024)
4. Construct Phase 1 (groundbreaking by April 30, 2024 and completed in November 2025)
5. Construct Phase 2 (dependent on available funding)
Over the last three months the Project has been moving through the Design Development Phase. WRNS has advanced the design based on city staff feedback received at weekly progress meetings and with various user groups.
Staff and the Design/Build team provided updates on the design of the project at the August 21, 2023 and the September 5, 2023 City Council Meetings. At the September 5 meeting, the Council asked for the cost impact to increase banquet style seating in the Community Hall from 280 to 350 persons. Per the attached slide the cost is approximately $1.8 million, and it would extend the design phase by at least two months.
In addition to the weekly meetings, the Design/Build Team recently held the following meetings:
• On September 12, the Design/Build team presented the project to students at Gonzales High School during their lunch hour and received their thoughts and feedback on the use of the center. • On September 15, the Design/Build team met with the contract Building Official and Building Plan Reviewer and stepped through the 50% Design Development submittal. • On September 28, the Design/Build team held a follow-up meeting with County Library staff and presented the updated library layout, associated restrooms and courtyard space. • On September 28, the Design/Build team presented the updated 50% Design Development submittal to Fire Chief Muscio and Public Works staff.
• On October 10, the Design/Build team met with the Community Hall and Commercial Kitchen User Groups and presented the updated design and received their feedback. • On October 10, the Design/Build team met with the GYC and presented the updated layout of the Teen Innovation Center and received their feedback.
The presentation at the Council meeting will include additional details and efforts regarding the Design Development phase of the project.
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 ensure 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
No alternatives to consider as part of this staff report as this is a progress report.
BUDGET IMPACT
There isn’t a budget impact related to this staff report and presentation.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council receive a progress report on delivery of the Community Center Complex Project and provide staff with comments and feedback.
Attachments:
1. USDA Letter
2. Community Hall Expansion Exhibit
3. Design Dev. Slide Deck