DATE: AUGUST 23, 2022
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, DIRECTOR
TITLE: PURCHASE OF PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIAL
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the direct purchase of engineered wood fiber surfacing material from Jet Mulch Inc. in an amount not to exceed $340,000.00 for 24 playgrounds located throughout the City’s park system.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the direct purchase of engineered wood fiber surfacing material from Jet Mulch Inc. in an amount not to exceed $340,000.00 for 24 playgrounds located throughout the City’s park system.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provided the City of Salinas with $51,567,313 in relief funds. In September 2021, the City Council allocated ARPA funds for a number of government service projects, including $2 million dollars for playground structures, park benches and bar-be-que grills, the majority of which was to be spent in the 93905 and 93906 zip codes which were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the allocation, the Council Resolution called for staff to check in with the Finance Committee on these and the Public Works sidewalk/street repair allocations.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Salinas has 35 playgrounds located in parks/facilities across the City, and of this, 24 have engineered wood chips. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has a series of safety guidelines related to public playgrounds including surface material types and levels. According to the CPSC, surfaces around playground equipment should have at lease 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. The bulk of the City’s playgrounds have engineered wood fiber chips and many of them are below the recommended level. Quotes have been obtained for material from Jet Mulch to ensure our playgrounds meet the 12-inch safety requirement.
In May 2022, staff provided an update to the Finance Committee on the recommended projects identified for ARPA funding. This report included playground surfacing material system wide, two new playground structures at Williams Ranch and Northgate Neighborhood Parks, and tables, benches, and BBQs.
Staff is seeking authorization to purchase engineered wood fiber chips from Jet Mulch Inc. in an amount not to exceed $340,000.00.
Jet Mulch Inc. is the leading supplier of engineered wood fiber chips for playgrounds in the area and provides surfacing material to other surrounding municipalities.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The purchase of playground surfacing material is consistent with the City Council Goals of:
Youth and Seniors
Public Safety
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funds are appropriated and available in account 3911.55.8171.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Quotes
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