STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of September 9, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Glenn Dombeck, Public Works Director/City Engineer Christopher Roke, Parks and Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Foxboro Playground Equipment Pre-Purchase and Amendment to the fiscal year 2025-26 Budget Appropriation RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with Gametime, Inc. for a not-to-exceed amount of $142,599.79 to provide playground equipment for use at Foxboro Park and Amend the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 Budget by $550,000 to allocate funds from the General Fund/Capital Reserve to pay for the associated equipment, materials and improvements.
BACKGROUND:
The City is in the process of finalizing construction documents for a park improvement project consisting of the construction of shade structures at Refugio Park and the renovation of the basketball court at Foxboro Park. Construction on the Refugio and Foxboro Park Improvement Project will occur later in FY 25-26.
The City’s CIP identifies additional improvements to the playground at Foxboro Park for the following FY 2026-27. These improvements consist of replacing the playground equipment, which is approximately 23 years old and nearing the end of its useful life, and replacing the synthetic playground surface, which is showing signs of moderate deterioration.
ANALYSIS:
It is proposed to accelerate the timing of the Foxboro Park playground improvements by incorporating the work into the current Refugio and Foxboro Park Improvement Project. This will improve economies of scale for the playground work by eliminating a separate bidding process and contractor mobilization.
Another reason for accelerating the project is to take advantage of a grant opportunity for playground equipment offered by Gametime, Inc. Gametime is offering a 42.4 percent discount for grant recipients who pay by check. Council approval is needed to execute this equipment pre-purchase and secure the grant. The pre-purchase will also reduce the lead time associated with the equipment procurement and facilitate the construction schedule. The City-furnished playground equipment will be installed by the Contractor awarded the project.
Renderings of the playground equipment can be seen in Attachment 3. A pour-in-place (PIP) surface shown in the renderings is one of two surfacing replacement options under consideration. Replacement of the playground surfacing will be included in the competitively bid project, but is not included in this playground equipment pre-purchase. A final selection for the playground surfacing will be made prior to issuance of documents for bid.
The playground equipment proposed for replacement includes play structures for ages 2-5 and ages 5-12, a Prime Time ADA Zero-G swing and a belt swing, an Inclusive Whirl and an Inclusive Seesaw, all aligned to meet the National Demonstration Site (NDS) Play On! design criteria. The six key elements of the Gametime Play On! design include:
Balancing Increases understanding of efficient body positioning and control, promotes muscular strength Swinging Promotes aerobic fitness, muscular force, and whole-body awareness Brachiating Improves muscular strength and endurance. Promotes hand-eye coordination and rhythmic body movement.
Sliding Enhances core stability, dynamic balance, and the leg and hip flexibility Spinning Develops kinesthetic awareness and postural control, improves understanding of speed, force, and directional qualities of movement Climbing Enhances spatial awareness and coordination, fosters muscular strength, endurance and flexibility Through the CPRS and GameTime Statewide Funding Initiative, the City of Hercules will receive a 41% discount towards the playground equipment for Foxboro Park, so long as payment is made by check after City Council approval. Retail price for this playground equipment is $203,802.70. The grant discount is $86,470.69, or 42.4 percent. Total cost including the grant discount, taxes and shipping is $142,599.79.
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, which consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Refugio and Foxboro Park Improvement Project (Shade Structures and Basketball Court only) is fully funded for this fiscal year. The proposed funding for these activities is as follows:
Funding Sources:
Refugio Picnic Area
Foxboro Basketball
Foxboro Playground
Total
General Fund/Capital Reserves
$537,917
$118,241
$50,000
$706,158
Community Development Tax
$170,000
--
--
$170,000
Total Revenue
$707,917
$118,241
$50,000
$876,158
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) currently estimates an allocation of $550,000 for the Foxboro Playground project in fiscal year 2026-27; however, this amount is presently unfunded. To advance this project, it is proposed that an amendment be made to the fiscal year 2025-26 budget to designate $550,000 of General Fund/Capital Reserve. This funding in conjunction with the previously allocated $50,000 for the Foxboro Playground in FY 2025-26, will fully fund the contract work for the project, including the equipment pre-purchase and construction activity. Furthermore, the Foxboro Pavement Rehabilitation Project has adequate funds to support the design phase work occurring this fiscal year.
With this budget amendment, the Refugio and Foxboro Park Improvement Project (Refugio Shade Structures, Foxboro Basketball Court and Foxboro Playground) will be fully funded for this fiscal year. The proposed amended funding allocation for these activities is as follows:
Funding Sources:
Refugio Picnic Area
Foxboro Basketball
Foxboro Playground
Total
General Fund/Capital Reserves
$537,917
$118,241
$600,000
$1,256,158
Community Development Tax
$170,000
--
--
$170,000
Total Revenue
$707,917
$118,241
$600,000
$1,426,158
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Purchase Order for Foxboro Playground Equipment from Gametime, Inc.
Renderings of Foxboro Park Playground Equipment from Gametime, Inc.