DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2026
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PE, LS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, LCS DIRECTOR
THROUGH: ADRIANA ROBLES, PE, CFM, CITY ENGINEER
VICKY SARGENT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LCS
BY: PHAVANA ARAMKUL, JR. ENGINEER
TITLE: AWARD OF THE ACCESSIBLITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR FIREHOUSE RECREATION CENTER CIP No. 9311 RECOMMENDED MOTION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution:
Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Accessibility Improvements for Firehouse Recreation Center, CIP No. 9311; Awarding a contract to Pro-Ex Construction Inc. for the Accessibility Improvements for Firehouse Recreation Center, CIP No. 9311, in an amount of $861,000; and Approving a 10% construction contingency of $86,100 for a total contract not to exceed total of $947,100.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On August 21, 2026, one (1) bid proposal was received from Pro-Ex Construction Inc. for the Accessibility Improvements for Firehouse Recreation Center, CIP No. 9311, for $861,000. City staff have reviewed Pro-Ex Construction’s required documentation and recommend awarding the project to Pro-Ex Construction Inc. for the bid amount of $861,000 and approving an allowance of 10% construction contingencies in an amount of $86,100.
BACKGROUND:
On March 3, 2025, a contractor was working on a traffic signal antenna at the Firehouse Recreation Center (“Facility”) and inadvertently damaged a fire sprinkler line. The damage caused a breakage above the women’s restroom flooding the women’s restroom, meeting room, kitchen, dining room, both corridors No. 1 and 2, storage rooms 1 and 2, lobby, and reception area. City staff and contractors’ insurance adjusters spent several months working out details to arrive at a mutual agreement on what items needed repairs and what items needed replacement. The insurance adjusters have provided their estimated Replacement Cost Value (RCV) for the water damage (base bid) at $42,065.
The Facility has been closed since, and staff have been working diligently to minimize the impact on programming and settle a claim with the contractors’ insurance. The Senior Program, housed at the Firehouse Recreation Center, has been temporarily relocated to the Breadbox Recreation Center.
In July 2025, the City Engineer approved the project Plans and Specification and authorized the call for bids for the Water Damage Repairs at Firehouse Building - CIP No. 9311. Two bids were received on August 12, 2025 from Premier Builders and Blancas Construction in the amounts of $189,894 and $191,381, respectively. Blancas Construction, with their 5% local preference adjustment, was awarded the project in the amount of $191,381 on September 15, 2025.
On November 20, 2025, the contract with Blancas Construction was terminated to incorporate the water damage repairs in the accessibility improvements for the Facility and to increase the scope of work to expand flooring and painting improvements to the entire first floor.
The city advertised a new project that addresses abatement of hazardous materials and demolition on May 18, 2026, to facilitate accessibility improvements. One bid was received from Coastwide Environmental Inc for $84,655. The City Manager award the contract to Coastwide Environmental on July 7, 2026. Abatement and demolition are currently in process and expected to be completed by late September or early October 2026.
The Accessibility Improvements for Firehouse Recreation Center, CIP 9311 (“Project”) was advertised on July 31, 2026, through PlanetBids. One bid was received from Pro-Ex Construction for $861,000.
Staff have reviewed the required contract documents and recommends awarding the Project to Pro-Ex Construction Inc., in an amount of $861,000 and allocating a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $86,100 for a total of $947,100.
Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2027.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Section 1530l(a), Class 1), because the only project proposes to alter interior partitions, plumbing, and electrical conveyances.
Furthermore, the project does not qualify for any of the exemptions to the categorical exemptions found at CEQA Guidelines Sections 15300.2, because section does not apply, and we are not reconstructing or replacing any structures or facilities.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No. The Government Code §84308/Levine Act does not apply to this project since this was a competitive bid project.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The award and implementation of this project support the Council’s goals of “Infrastructure”, “Youth and Seniors” and “ City Services”.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Public Works, Library Community Services, and Legal have been working together on the water damage claim and bidding of these repairs and accessibility improvements.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The project is funded with $986,645 of Firehouse Recreation Center (CIP 9311) funds. Based on anticipated project costs and the table below, sufficient funds are available to proceed with the project award and construction for this project.
Fund
General Ledger Number (Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
1000
5800.55.9311-66.3000
Capital Outlay Building Improvements
$986,645
$947,100
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A – Project Location Map
Exhibit B – Bid Tabulation Sheet
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