Agenda Item: 19
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: June 25, 2024
SUBJECT: DAVID MARCH PARK, PROJECT P4027 - PLANS,
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Shannon Pickett
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the David March Park, Project P4027.
2. Find the David March Park Project’s Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) Addendum complies with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulation, Article 11, Sections 15162 and 15164, for changes to the original project.
3. Award the construction contract to Urban Habitat, in the amount of $9,172,460 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $917,246, for a total contract amount not to exceed $10,089,706.
4. Award the professional services contract to Converse Consultants, to provide materials inspection services, in the amount of $250,000 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $25,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $275,000.
5. Extend the current contract and authorize an increased expenditure authority for construction support services with Psomas, in the amount of $596,786 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $59,679, for a total additional contract amount not to exceed $656,465.
6. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $120,000 from the Park Dedication - Quimby Fund (Fund 305) to the David March Park, Project P4027, expenditure account P4027305- 516101 and $570,800 from the Facilities Fund (Fund 723) to the David March Park, Project, Project P4027, expenditure account P4027723-516101.
7. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
This project will provide for an expansion and additional amenities to David March Park, originally built by The County of Los Angeles (County) in 2004. The park is located on a 13.2- acre lot on Via Joyce Drive, as shown on the attached Location Map, and was incorporated into the City of Santa Clarita (City) in June 2016. Phase I was completed by the County and included the build out of approximately two acres of the northern portion of the property including a playground, fitness zone, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, restroom building, and parking.
This project includes improvements identified in the David March Park Phase II Master Plan, which was originally developed by the County and updated by the City in March 2022 in order to meet City standards. The construction of this project will include improvements to the existing park as well as the development of an additional five acres of the park property. Shade canopies, one basketball court with sport court lighting, lighted walkways, and expanded parking will be added to the existing park. Improvements to the expanded lower-level area include a baseball field and backstop with shaded spectator stands and sport field lighting, an additional restroom building, an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkway between activity levels, exercise stairs, security lighting along walkways, an additional parking lot, shaded community gathering areas, one trash enclosure, and landscape and irrigation improvements.
Pickleball courts were evaluated during the conceptual design phase for David March Park. The expansion area of the park will include one baseball field, but does not have adequate space to accommodate pickleball courts. However, four new permanent pickleball courts were recently added to Bouquet Canyon Park and four overlay courts were added to the tennis courts located at Skyline Ranch Park, which opened in March 2024. These new courts are located within two miles of David March Park. Additionally, staff continues to evaluate feasible park locations for pickleball courts, which includes future park projects.
Civic Art will also be incorporated into the project with a designated budget of $108,389. These funds will be used to design, construct, and install public artwork at David March Park in coordination with the Arts Commission and the Public Art Planning and Selection process.
This project exemplifies the City’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its residents and supports the Develop, Enhance, and Rehabilitate Park Features and Facilities theme identified in the Parks and Recreation 5-Year Plan. This project also supports the Building and Creating Community theme of the City’s five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025.
California Environmental Quality Act Requirements
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements were completed when the Plum Canyon Park (renamed to David March Park, May 28, 2002) combined Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program were approved and adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on July 16, 2002. A Notice of Completion was filed with the State Clearinghouse on October 15, 2002 (SCH #2001021050).
An Addendum to the IS/MND was prepared to evaluate the addition of six stadium lights, associated with the previously approved sports field, and a set of exercise stairs (Modified Project), which were not included in the original project. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Addendum are available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
The Addendum concluded there is substantial evidence to determine that:
1. the Modified Project does not represent a substantial change from the previously approved project evaluated in the 2002 IS/MND;
2. no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the Modified Project is undertaken; and
3. the Modified Project has not introduced new information of substantial importance that was not previously known.
The Modified Project would not have any new or substantially more severe impacts than what was evaluated in the 2002 IS/MND. No new mitigation measures are recommended in addition to those adopted at the time the 2002 IS/MND was approved that would further reduce Project impacts. The 2002 IS/MND, when considered in conjunction with this Addendum, provides adequate documentation, pursuant to CEQA for the Approved and Modified Projects, without further reporting or approval required.
Solicitation Process - Construction Contract
An invitation to bid was prepared and published twice in The Signal newspaper, on April 18 and 25, 2024, and was posted on the City’s website. A total of four bids were submitted to the City and opened by Purchasing on May 24, 2024. Each of the bids included a base bid and three bid alternates. The basis for award was the total for the base bid. The results of the total base bids are shown below:
Company Location Bid Amount
Urban Habitat La Quinta, CA $8,225,973
Staples Construction Company, Inc. Ventura, CA $10,195,540 RC Becker and Sons, Inc. Santa Clarita, CA $10,546,966 Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. Covina, CA $11,540,090
Staff recommends awarding the construction contract to Urban Habitat, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $10,089,706, which includes $8,225,973 for the base bid, $946,487 for bid alternates one and two, and authorizing a contingency in the amount of $917,246, for a total contract amount not to exceed $10,089,706. This contractor possesses a valid state contractor’s license and is in good standing with the Contractors State License Board.
Staff reviewed the bid response for accuracy and conformance to the contract documents and found it to be complete. The bid proposal adheres to the project’s plans and specifications and is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
While the City maintains a Support of Local Businesses policy that can be utilized by the City Council when warranted, the City is governed by the California Public Contract Code with regard to public works project procurement. In this type of procurement, the California Public Contract Code does not permit a city to utilize a Support of Local Businesses policy and instead
requires the contract be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Solicitation Process - Materials Testing Services Contract
A Request for Proposal (RFP) for materials testing services was prepared and posted on BidNet on April 24, 2024. The RFP asked firms to identify their relevant experience with similar projects and demonstrate their approach for this project. On May 24, 2024, two firms submitted proposals. Staff reviewed the proposals and, based on their evaluations, scored the firms on a 100-point scale as follows:
Rank Company Location Score
1. Converse Consultants Monrovia, CA 82
2. RMA Group, Inc. Carson, CA 80
The scoring system was based on the following criteria: responsiveness to the RFP and thoroughness of proposal, consultant qualifications and overall project team experience, proposed methodology and ability to meet the scope of work, project understanding, and references.
Converse Consultants demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the project needs and provided a detailed scope of work and approach to the project. Based on their experience with similar projects, and the completeness of their proposal for this project, staff recommends awarding the contract for materials inspection services to Converse Consultants. The proposal is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
California Government Code 4526 prescribes selection of architectural and engineering services to be based on demonstrated competence and professional qualification necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required and does not authorize the selection of professional architectural and engineering services based on cost. City staff was able to reach an agreement with Converse Consultants at a fair and reasonable price.
Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Services
The City Council awarded a design contract for a total amount not to exceed $1,276,760 to Psomas at the December 13, 2022, City Council meeting. Psomas was selected through a competitive RFP process and is the Engineer of Record for the project.
In order to provide appropriate construction and design support throughout construction, it is recommended that the existing contract with Psomas be increased by a total of $656,465, including contingency. This increase will allow Psomas to provide construction support at regular meetings, review submittals, respond to requests for information, and address design issues as the project is constructed. The proposal is available in the City Clerk’s Reading File.
The requested budget appropriations will provide for the bid alternates, which includes the exercise stairs and additional parking, as shown on the attached Bid Alternates Exhibit.
The requested contingency for the David March Park contracts will cover the cost of unforeseen
site conditions such as potential utility conflicts and fees, abandoned utilities not shown in record drawings, field adjustments, additional work requested by the City, and approved change orders requested by the contractor or consultants.
The remaining project funds will cover all anticipated project administrative costs, including staff time, project management, public works inspections, environmental inspections and support, utility fees, and labor compliance monitoring.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, budget will be increased by $120,000 in expenditure account P4027305-516101 (Park Dedication - Quimby Funds) and $570,800 in expenditure account P4027723-516101 (Facilities Fund) for a total construction budget of $11,900,000 to support the recommended contracts and associated project costs.
ATTACHMENTS
Bid Alternates Exhibit
Location Map
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
Bid Proposal for Urban Habitat (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Proposal for Converse Consultants (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Proposal for Psomas (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)