CITY OF SAN MATEO
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (2024)
REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR THE CENTRAL PARK PHASE 1 PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WHEREAS, the Central Park Phase 1 Playground Improvements Project (Project) includes the preservation of existing trees, replacement of the restroom and associated utilities, new themed and accessible playground areas & equipment, a new picnic shelter, new walkways, picnic tables, benches, site furnishings, fencing, pedestrian path light and irrigation system upgrades and landscaping; and WHEREAS, the updated Central Park Master Plan was adopted in March 2018, which outlines a long- term conceptual plan to make incremental improvements to the park, including a new plaza and underground parking at the 5th Avenue edge of the park; relocated tennis courts; a new community event building; Fallen Heroes Memorial Grove; new picnic pavilion; and renovations to the existing children’s playground area; and WHEREAS, due to its age and condition, renovation to the children’s playground area was identified to be the first phase to be implemented; and
WHEREAS, in February 2024, staff recommended, and City Council approved proceeding with the bid phase by soliciting bids for the complete Project as currently designed and included a series of “bid alternates” giving the City a menu of options to evaluate costs once the actual construction cost was known; and WHEREAS, the City advertised the Project in accordance with Section 3.60.040 of the Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, four prequalified bidders attended the mandatory pre-bid site walk on July 17, 2024; and WHEREAS, three bids were received on September 6, 2024; and WHEREAS, Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc.’s bid of $11,532,000 was determined to be the lowest responsive bid, but is 13 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate of $10,181,314.00, and exceeds the Project construction budget of $10.7 million; and
WHEREAS, Section 3.60.040(a)(4) of the City’s Municipal Code allows the City Council to, at its discretion, reject all bids received, negotiate a contract for the work or supplies if the project is not within budget, do the work through City employees, or terminate the project or purchase; and WHEREAS, staff recommends rejecting all bids and negotiating a contract directly with Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. to explore reducing Project costs and account for the Project overbudget; and WHEREAS, if the negotiations are successful, staff will return to Council for approval of a contract with Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. at a future date; but if negotiations are not successful, staff will either rebid the Project at a later date or modify the scope.
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9 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES that:
1. This council action is not a project subject to CEQA, because CEQA does not apply to projects which are disapproved. The proposed action is to reject all bids and negotiate a contract with the low bidder. If a contract is negotiated, that will be subject to future Council consideration and CEQA review. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15270.)
2. In accordance with the provisions of the San Mateo Municipal Code Section 3.60.040(a)(4), all bids for the Central Park Phase 1 Playground Improvements Project are rejected.
3. The Parks and Recreation Director is authorized to negotiate directly with Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. who is the lowest responsive bidder on the project.