DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2022
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (LCS)
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LCS DIRECTOR
BY: ANA AMBRIZ, MANAGEMENT NALYST
TITLE: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SALINAS AND BFS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (BFS) RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution:
Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Salinas and BFS Landscape Architects in an amount not to exceed $1,755,389 for Design, Program and Construction Management for Closter Park, El Gabilan Play Lot, and two universal playgrounds (one at Northgate Park and one at Williams Ranch Park); and Authorizing an increase of up to $1,000,000 to the General Fund appropriation and use of General Fund balance for design, program, construction management and construction of the above projects.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On May 20, 2022, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Design, Project and Construction Management and Community Engagement Assistance for a series of park projects, including Closter Park, El Gabilan Play Lot, Universal Playgrounds at Northgate and Williams Ranch and the Cesar Chavez Trail Improvement Project.
On June 21, 2022, the City received four (4) Statements of Qualifications (SOQ). City Staff rated and ranked the SOQs and invited the top three (3) firms for interviews. After the interviews BFS Landscape Architects was selected as the most qualified for these projects. Following the selection, BFS submitted a proposal, which was reviewed by City Staff. The proposal includes scope of work, budget, and schedule for:
Project management
Community engagement
Design development
Management of the selection of a Design Build Entity
Construction oversight
After extensive discussions between City staff and BFS, city staff decided to pull the Cesar Chavez Trail Project and continue discussions for the remainder of the projects. A final proposal was submitted at a cost not to exceed of $1,755,389. The final scope, budget and schedule is provided as Exhibit B to the Professional Services Agreement, which is attached to this staff report.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019, the City of Salinas completed the Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Master Plan (PRLMP). The development of this Master Plan was led by a Steering Committee of stakeholders, residents, and organizational leaders and involved extensive public engagement in the planning process. 98% of City residents answering a survey felt that public parks, recreational opportunities, and library services are important or essential to the quality of life in Salinas; more than half (57%) rated the park and recreation system as “fair” or “poor.” City parks and open spaces were the foci of one of the four Open House sessions, with participants placing high priorities on safety and maintenance, trails for walking and biking, water play, dog parks, and family/social gatherings.
More than 80% of community survey respondents during the Master Plan process considered upgrading existing parks a high or top priority. As one respondent said, “Before expanding, please start by improving what we already have. Our parks are a treasure, but they need A LOT of love and improvements.” One outcome of the Master Plan was the development of a 20-year Capital Improvements Plan for Park and Facility Projects, and Closter Park was ranked #1 in terms of needing improvement. The park received the highest rankings in all six criteria – significance, funding leverage, community need, safety/security, usage/benefit, and location/demographics. The main improvements outlined were renovations of a restroom and concession stand; installation of a new restroom; installation of skate elements; repairs to chain link fences and baseball backstops; regarding the ball fields; adding plantings, dugouts, batting cages, and several ADA and safety elements; and numerous repairs and refurbishing.
Following the recommendations of the Master Plan and development of the Capital Improvement Plan for Park and Facility Projects, staff has worked diligently to secure funding sources to improve the condition of existing parks. In early 2021, LCS submitted a Prop 68 application to The California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) for the Closter Park Revitalization Project. In early 2022, OGALS notified LCS of its Closter Park Revitalization Project selection and awarded $6.8 Million Dollars for a comprehensive renovation of the park.
El Gabilan Tot-Lot
In November 2019, the City Council unanimously accepted the Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP) as a strategic planning document. The AVP is an action-oriented, comprehensive strategy for Salinas’ Alisal (East Salinas) neighborhoods. The Plan’s purpose is to communicate the collective vision, goals, and desires of those who live, work, worship, and shop in the Alisal. In October 2021, staff presented the AVP Implementation Plan and Budget for the approximately $3 million dollars the City Council appropriated in the FY 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget for immediate and short-term implementation activities. The AVP Implementation Plan, developed in collaboration with the AVP Implementation Committee, prioritizes short-term activities to improve the cleanliness, appearance, infrastructure, and parks and open space in the Alisal, and to promote economic development of the Alisal.
One of the projects under the parks and open space bucket is the resurface existing asphalt and incorporation of a new half basketball court and/or other playground games (i.e., hopscotch, four-square, etc.).
Universal Playgrounds
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.
The City of Salinas has 35 playgrounds located in parks/facilities across the City. An assessment of the playgrounds was conducted as part of the Parks, Recreation & Libraries Master Planning effort and the majority of the playgrounds were found to be in fair and/or good condition. The playground at Williams Ranch Neighborhood Park was found to be in poor condition and in need of replacement. On September 20, 2022, the Council approved systemwide playground repairs, focusing on zip codes 93905 and 93906. In addition to the design and installation of four (4) new playground structures, two of them (Northgate and Williams Ranch) included in BFS’ professional service agreement.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The approval of a professional service agreement is not considered a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, however the projects under this agreement are considered projects.
Closter Park Revitalization – The Closter Park Revitalization project, includes demolishing and replacing existing structures of substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity, qualifies as a Class 2 Categorical Exemption (Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
El Gabilan Play Lot – The El Gabilan Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption because it involves infill development within an urbanized area as identified in Categorical Exemption Class 32; Section 15332 (b).
Universal Playgrounds – The Universal Playground projects, include the replacement of existing structures of substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity, qualifies as a Class 2 Categorical Exemption (Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
These actions support the Council’s strategic goals of “Youth and Seniors”, “Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability”, “Public Safety”, “Economic Development” and implement PRLMP and AVP priorities.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
LCS worked with Public Works and Community Development to develop the RFQ, rate and rank the SOQs, interview the top firms, and negotiate a final scope of work and budget proposal. LCS also worked with Finance and City Manager's office to identify additional funds for these projects.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Closter Park Revitalization: Prop 68 funds will support most of the pre-development / soft cost of the scope of work. The remainder will be covered by the General Fund appropriation.
El Gabilan Tot-Lot: AVP Implementation Funds (CIP 9246) will cover all the cost associated with this project.
Universal Playgrounds: LCS’ ARPA allocation (3911.55.8171) will cover most of the cost of these projects. The remainder will be covered by the increased General Fund appropriation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Professional Service Agreement
Exhibit B: Scope of Services
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