Agenda Item #13.4
For Council Meeting of: July 14, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CHRISTA SIEGENTHALER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SERVICES SUBJECT: HOWARTH COURTS RENOVATION – CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CONTINGENCY ACTION AGENDA ACTION: MOTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works Department recommends that Council, by motion, authorize additional construction contingency funds for the Howarth Courts Renovation Project, Contract Number C00714, in the amount of $50,000, increasing the authorized total contract amount to $1,313,571.75.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The action will increase contingency funds for the existing construction contract with DMR Construction of Santa Rosa, California, in the amount of $50,000, for an authorized total contract amount of $1,313,571.75. An increase in contingency is requested due to unforeseen soil conditions in the unstable subgrade, which has prevented the ground from reaching the required compaction prior to the placement of the new court surfaces.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
The renovations will include rebuilding and resurfacing the tennis courts and converting a select number to pickleball courts with new striping, interior fencing, net systems, and benches to support the new layout. The majority of the existing perimeter fencing and all the concrete masonry units ball walls are anticipated to be preserved in place.
On September 30, 2025, the Council approved a construction contract with DMR Construction for $1,098,758.04, including a 15% contingency, and authorized a total contract amount of $1,263,571.75.
ANALYSIS
On March 2, 2026, construction began. Upon demolition of the existing court surfaces, the ground conditions were found to be significantly worse than anticipated and required additional soil stabilization prior to the placement of the new court surfaces. The subgrade was also saturated, preventing work from proceeding until conditions improved. To minimize project costs, the geotechnical engineer recommended that the soil be dried naturally prior to the placement of any aggregate base to improve the strength properties of the subgrade.
Increasing the authorized contingency amount by $50,000 will cover the additional need and provide further contingency funds to allow the project to promptly address unforeseen conditions that may arise during the remainder of the project. The additional contingency will increase the total contract amount to $1,313,571.75.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action has no additional impact on the budget. No General Fund money is included in this project. The additional contingency will be funded through JL 09608, which is the Kawana Springs Community Park fund. Any unused contingency will be returned.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Howarth Courts Renovation Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, because the project consists of repair, maintenance, and minor alterations to existing public recreational facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
The recommended action to authorize additional construction contingency funds does not change the approved project scope, expand the use of the site, or authorize any new physical improvements beyond those previously reviewed. Therefore, the action remains within the scope of the existing CEQA determination, and no additional environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Location Map
PRESENTER(S)
Danny Chen, Assistant Engineer
Gregory Mariscal, Supervising Engineer
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