DATE: May 21, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Maintenance Services
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications and Calling for Bids for the Jackson Street Gateway Monument Sign Project
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment II) approving the plans and specifications and calls for bids for the Jackson Street Gateway Monument Sign Project.
SUMMARY
In FY 2023, Council directed Maintenance Services to replace and reconstruct the gateway monument sign located Jackson Street and Silva Avenue. Jackson Street is an arterial route that provides access to Downtown Hayward, Highways 880 and 580, and the Hayward/San Mateo Bridge. As one of the most heavily traveled routes through the City, construction of a new gateway sign will create a distinct, attractive, and strategic wayfinding marker for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists entering the City. The project design has been completed and bid documents have been prepared. Staff is requesting Council’s approval of the plans and specifications and calls for bids to be received on June 17, 2024.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Originally constructed in 1970, the existing monument sign (Figure 1) is beyond its useful life and is in a failing state of repair. To create a sense of continuity within the community, the proposed design (Figure 2) incorporates similar aesthetic features to the existing gateway sign located on the south-end of Mission Boulevard. Similar features include light-colored pavers, large boulders, textured facade, in-ground lighting, and drought-tolerant plants. New, attractive features include a low-energy, low-water use cascading waterfall over the black granite section of the monument and a walking path. To preserve water, the water is recycled through a shallow, stone pond. Likewise, LED uplighting will provide visibility at night. Surrounding the sign will be drought-resistant, native plants and updated low-water use irrigation controllers and sprinklers. Furthermore, to reduce long-term maintenance, the adjacent pine trees are diseased and will be removed and replaced with native trees. Figures 1 and 2 show the existing sign and the newly designed sign.
In November 2023, staff engaged Gates + Associates for design and engineering services, leveraging their experience from designing the Mission Boulevard gateway sign to support this project. Collaboratively, Gates and staff have finalized the plan, specifications, and estimates for this project, with bid documents prepared.
This project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the replacement or reconstruction of an existing structure with the same size, purpose, and capacity. Likewise, because the construction cost estimate is less than $1,000,000, the Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) with the Alameda County Building Trades Council (BTC), does not apply to this project.
Figure 1: Existing Monument Figure 2: Proposed Monument
ECONOMIC IMPACT
This item does not provide a direct economic impact. However, the construction of the monument sign will provide public safety and environmental benefits through the following:
Enhanced public safety: updated lighting for night visibility Environmental preservation: updated landscaping with drought-tolerant plants, low water-use irrigation controllers and cascading water feature, and low energy-use lighting
FISCAL IMPACT
The Adopted FY 2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) appropriated $200,000 to begin development for this project in the Capital Projects (Governmental) Fund – Fund 405. Any necessary budget adjustments once bids are received will be presented to Council for consideration and approval.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This item supports Council’s strategic priority of Invest in Infrastructure, specifically:
Invest in City Facilities and Property – Project N11: Replace and relocate the existing monument gateway sign located on Jackson Street and Silva Avenue
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
This item has no direct sustainability features. However, construction of the new sign will incorporate features such as recycled water, low water and energy use features, and light-colored pavers to reduce the urban heating effect.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Earlier this fiscal year, staff shared this project scope with the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force for review after receiving a letter of support for the project.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves this request, staff will publicize and collect bids. The estimated project schedule is outlined below:
Release Bids May 2024
Receive Bids June 2024
Award Construction Contract July 2024
Notice to Proceed August 2024
Construction Completion December 2024
Prepared by: Manny Grewal, Management Analyst
Rodney Affonso, Deputy Director of Maintenance Services Recommended by: Todd Rullman, Director of Maintenance Services Approved by:
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Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager