Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-7113 Meeting Date: 11/14/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DESIGN FOR THE CIVIC CENTER
COURTYARD LANDSCAPE RENOVATION PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Per City Council direction, staff has been working to renovate the landscaping around the Civic Center. There are two separate project efforts underway at this time. The City has contracted with Rainville Design Studio to design the Civic Center Courtyard Landscape Renovation Project, which encompasses the main courtyard and the planter areas along the walkway between City Hall and the Library. Additionally, City staff are working with West Basin Municipal Water District on plans to replace sections of turf around the Civic Center with more drought-tolerant plant materials using grant funds from the Public Agency Grass Replacement Rebate Program.
The purpose of this item is to seek input and approval of the design for the Civic Center Courtyard Landscape Renovation Project. The designer, Miriam Rainville, will present the prepared concept at the City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND
The FY 2023-24 CIP includes $150,000 for the Civic Center Courtyard Landscape Renovation Project. The project includes the design and implementation of a complete renovation of the landscaping in the central courtyard area of the Civic Center as well as the planter space along the walkway adjacent to the Main Library.
On January 18, 2022, the Council awarded an agreement to Rainville Design Studio to provide design services for the project. The design includes the following:
- Waterwise plant materials
- Native plant materials
- A pollinator garden
- A new irrigation system
- A new lighting system
- Reconfiguration of the walking paths in the courtyard area Attached are the Garden Layout, Planting Plan, and Plant Image Sheets. Plans and specifications (PS) are close to 100% completion. Staff is seeking input from the City Council on the proposed design prior to finalization. Barring any significant changes or modifications, the plans and
N.1., File # 23-7113 Meeting Date: 11/14/2023
design prior to finalization. Barring any significant changes or modifications, the plans and specifications can be brought to City Council for consideration of approval and advertising for competitive bids in December. It is estimated that a bid opening would occur in two to three months and construction would begin in the spring of 2024.
Separately, the City has obtained a grant through the West Basin Municipal Water District’s Public Agency Grass Replacement Rebate Program that provides funding and design assistance for agencies to remove turf in public spaces and replace it with drought-tolerant plant materials.
Staff has been working with West Basin on a plan to remove approximately 43,000 square feet of grass from the perimeters of the Civic Center and replace it with a variety of attractive droughttolerant plants and shrubs, including Kangaroo Paws, New Zealand Flax, and Desert Rose Paddles.
The design will also include native plants, several rain gardens, and pollinator features. West Basin’s design consultant is working to finalize the plans, which will be brought back to City Council in early 2024 for consideration of approval.
COORDINATION
The Public Works Department coordinated this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2023-24 CIP Budget includes $150,000 of funding for renovation of the central courtyard area of the Civic Center as well as the planter space along the walkway adjacent to the Main Library.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Current Civic (Waterwise) Green Garden Plan and Plant Identification Layout · Proposed New Planting Plan - Courtyard
· Conceptual Plant Images