CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 18 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-6143 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Parks and Recreation Department
MEETING DATE: June 02, 2025
SUBJECT:
East Hillsdale Park Playground Improvements Project — Contract RECOMMENDATION:
Award a Construction Contract to Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. (SMC) for the East Hillsdale Park Playground Improvements Playground Improvement Project (Project) in the amount of $2,050,000; authorize a contingency in an amount $307,500, for a total not to exceed amount of $2,357,500; authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to execute the contract, in substantially the form presented, and to approve change orders within the contingency amount.
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, a survey was conducted to identify what the community would expect to see from a potential playground update at East Hillsdale Park. The preference from the surrounding residents was for a consolidated location for a new play area on the northern side of the park, with separate play areas for toddlers and older kids, no restroom and no BBQs. With the neighborhood preference in mind, the Parks and Recreation Department solicited several designs for consideration prior to the preparation of construction plans to be used for public bidding.
On October 28, 2021, a virtual community meeting was held where residents reviewed the design alternatives and related documents. There was consensus amongst attendees strongly suggesting that the designs be reconsidered with a "less is better" approach.
In January 2022, a follow up community meeting was held to present the revised play area design along with alternative play equipment designs and answered general questions about the park tree plan and park infrastructure. Each of the three alternative play equipment designs were prepared by a different play equipment manufacturer. The community’s preferred play equipment design was Hags Equipment, by Miracle Playsystems. In addition, the community noted concerns with the existing irrigation system, poor stormwater drainage and the deteriorated condition of the perimeter pathway around the park. These issues would be studied in the design development phase and addressed in the final set of construction documents.
In March 2022, staff provided a project update to the Park & Recreation Commission and presented the community preferred play equipment design. The majority of the Commissioners were in support of the Hags Equipment by Miracle Playsystems.
In 2024, the design consultant, Callander Associates Landscape Architects, completed the project’s bid / construction documents, with an estimated construction cost of $2,066,000. The project’s scope of work included but is not limited to the protection of existing trees, demolishing existing play equipment and pathways, excavation and grading, installing owner provided play equipment for 2-5 and 5-12 years old age groups, play area safety surfacing, new pathway paving, additional pathway lighting and upgrading to LED lamps, improving the stormwater drain system, site furnishings,
CITY OF SAN MATEO
synthetic turf, irrigation, and landscaping.
On December 2, 2024, a Notice to Contractors, inviting prospective bidders to prequalify for the public bidding of the project, was advertised in the San Mateo Daily Journal. Eleven (11) contractors applied for prequalification. Eight (8) contractors were prequalified after meeting the prequalification application form requirements for project construction experience and licensing.
On March 10, 2025, a Notice Inviting Bids was advertised in the Daily Journal, inviting the prequalified bidders to submit sealed bid proposals. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on March 18, 2025.
On April 18, 2025, three (3) sealed bids were received and opened. All bids were evaluated to determine if they met the requirements of the Notice Inviting Bids and the Instructions to Bidders. Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. (SMC) was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, with a complete and accurate bid package, as well as excellent references. SMC is also the contractor for the Central Park Playground Improvements Project.
The contractor bid proposals, listed from low to high, are as follows:
Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. - $2,050,000
Scapes, Inc. - $2,052,630
Interstate Grading and Paving, Inc. - $2,100,300
Staff recommends the award of a contract to Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,050,000 and establish a 15 percent contingency reserve in the amount of $307,500 to address any unanticipated items that may arise during construction, for a total budget amount of $2,357,500.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There are sufficient budget funds available for the East Hillsdale Park Playground Improvement Project (610017) for the construction contract and contingency reserve.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This project is categorically exempt from CEQA as an “existing facility,” because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 - Proposed Contract
STAFF CONTACT
King Leong
[email protected]
(650)522-7542