DATE: JUNE 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR BY: ANA AMBRIZ, RECREATION-PARK SUPERINTENDENT
TITLE: CLOSTER PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution:
Authorizing the Purchasing Agent to complete the purchase of playground equipment for Closter Park from Landscape Structures, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $198,594; and Approve the reallocation of $1,000,000 in ARPA Park Irrigation Upgrades (3911.55.8191) for Closter Park Improvements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On December 8, 2021, the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) selected the City of Salinas Closter Park Improvement Project application for funding. The grant award is for $6.8 Million Dollars and will fund a comprehensive renovation of Closter Park. In December 2023, the Council approved a Schematic Design developed by BFS Landscape Architects (BFS) using the information gathered from park users through extensive community engagement efforts in 2021 and again in 2023. Throughout the community engagement process, community identified a preferred playground theme of sea exploration.
BACKGROUND:
On July of 2019, the Salinas City Council adopted the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Master Plan (PRLMP). The Master Planning effort in 2019 included a full assessment of parks, recreation, and library facilities. The PRLMP represents a community engagement effort that connected thousands of residents and community leaders over eighteen (18) months. The plan assessed the state of current parks, recreation, and library facilities and engaged residents to prioritize the need for maintenance. Following this assessment and the community engagement process which included over two thousand community engagement touch points Closter Park was ranked as the highest priority based on community need, significance, funding leverage, safety/security, usage/benefits, and location/demographics. Closter Park is heavily used by the community and hosts hundreds of people daily on the basketball courts, large playground, multiple ball fields, in the community center and jogging or walking around the park.
Following the recommendations of the Master Plan, staff worked diligently to secure funding sources to renovate Closter Park. This included applying for the competitive Prop 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. This grant opportunity made possible by the passage of Proposition 68 which allowed the City to apply for up to $8.5 million dollars for eligible projects. Closter Park was an identified as a project for this grant opportunity. The intent of the Proposition 68 funded Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program is to create new parks and recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California. The Closter Park Improvement Project location met all grant requirements and could instantly turn the little league field and its amenities into one of the best in the region.
On December 8, 2021, the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) selected the City of Salinas Closter Park Improvement Project application for funding. The grant award was for $6.8 million and will fund a comprehensive renovation of Closter Park. OGALS received 468 total applications and Salinas was one of 112 successful applicants. A key to our successful application was our extensive community engagement for the grant and having a strong Parks, Recreation and Libraries Master Plan. The Salinas City Council officially accepted the grant funding on February 15, 2022.
On December 13, 2022, the City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) between the City of Salinas and BFS Landscape Architects (BFS) for program and construction management for the Closter Park Improvement Project. The PSA includes a scope of:
1. Project management
3. Community engagement
4. Design development
6. Construction oversight
Additional community engagement was conducted by City staff and our design partners at BFS from May to June of 2023 to obtain more specific preferences on the playground, skatepark and other amenities to be included in the final design. Four pop-ups, held at Closter Park, and an online survey was hosted over two months. Through this process community identifies a Preferred Playground Theme of Sea Exploration. BFS immediate started communicating with playground manufacturers to submit concepts based on communities preferred theme.
BFS received 2 concepts. City staff in conjunction with BFS reviewed submissions for consistency with community’s preferred theme and cost. The submission from Landscape Structures included elements that truly reflected a Sea Explorer theme and selected purchase. Across the system, we have Landscape Structures (Ross Recreation) playgrounds in twelve (12) other parks making them one of the major manufacturers in our system. Sourcewell (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance), a cooperative purchasing organization, has a contract with Landscape Structures and can provide the playground equipment. City Council can approve this purchase under, cooperative purchase with other government agencies and Municipal Code Section 12-25. The purchase of this playground equipment will be done through a State Sourcewell contract totaling $198,593.10.
Steep increases in construction and amenities costs over the last three years have significantly increased and made our initial project cost estimates too low. The project currently has an estimated total cost of $9,118,068.47 that includes $1,436,838.76 of design and project management fees for BFS. The estimated construction cost for the project is of $7,408,214.71. After covering design and construction management fees the project has a construction gap $1,684,974.71. The reallocation of ARPA funds in the amount of $1 million from Park Irrigation Upgrades will allow the City to get closer to bridging the construction cost gap. Staff anticipates taking the project out to bid this summer and results will help further define the remaining construction gap.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the purchase of playground equipment and fund reallocation is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This item relates to the City Council’s Strategic Plan of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability, Public Safety as well as Youth and Seniors.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Library & Community Services Department will coordinate with Finance on the purchase of the playground equipment and the shifting of funds from Park Irrigation Upgrades (3911.55.8191) for Closter Park Improvements.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
With Council approval of the resolution, sufficient funds are available and appropriated in 5800.55.9350.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Sourcewell Quote
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