sr-062210-1fCity Council Meeting; June 22, 2010
Agenda Item: ~ ._._
To: Mayor and City Council
From:. Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works
Subject: Construction Contract for the Reed Park Open Space Improvements
Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Authorize the City Manager to negatiate and execute a contract with Acon
Development Inc. in an amount not to exceed $815,000 (including a 10%
contingency) for the Reed Park Open Space Improvements Project.
2. Authorize the City Engineer to issue any necessary change orders to complete
additional work within budgetary authority.
Executive Summary
The construction phase of the Reed Park Open Space Improvements Project is ready to
begin. The. improvements include a new toddler playground, enhanced landscaping
along Wilshire Boulevard, and a new garden adjacent to Miles Playhouse. .Acon
Development Inc. is recommended for the project at a cost of $815,000.
Background
On January 23. 2007, Council authorized the negotiation of a Professional Services
Agreement with Katherine Spitz Associates (Contract No. 8674 CCS) for the design of
Reed Park Improvements. In May and June of 2007, community workshops were held.
On February 12, 2008, Council requested that staff study additional street lighting needs
in Reed Park along with the planned park improvements; however, this additional
lighting work was financially unfeasible with the current budget. On September 23.
2008, Council authorized contract and scope modifications with Katherine Spitz
Associates for design improvements to Reed Park, as well as the final project design.
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Discussion
Reed Park occupies a city block and covers 5.3 acres. It is a widely-used Santa Monica
park, with Miles Playhouse, the City's Youth Office, six lighted community tennis courts,
community meeting rooms which host the senior nutrition program among other
activities, two heavily used basketball courts, and a children's play area: A complete
renovation of the park was completed in 1995 and Miles Playhouse was reopened to
the public after extensive rehabilitation in 1998. Reed Park has seen a considerable
increase in undesired activity in the. open space areas of the park. Many people push
heavy shopping carts through the park, causing extensive damage to the open space
areas and making them undesirable for use by other patrons.
The Reed Park Improvements are designed to improve the quality of experience for all
visitors to this park. There are three areas of proposed improvements to Reed Park.
The first consists of removing the existing rogue court, shuffleboard, and horseshoe
area to expand the intensively used children's playground area. When the park was
renovated in 1995, these uses were still in demand. Now the rogue court, shuffleboard,
and horseshoe area is rarely used. This area would provide. an additional 6,000 square
feet for additional children's play equipment, including basketball hoops sized for young
children and other play features for children aged 2 to 4 years.
The second area of proposed improvements is to replace the existing planting along the
entire Wilshire Boulevard park edge with a new planting scheme, including the
southeast and southwest corners of the park. The new planting will be sustainable,
drought-tolerant, and comprised of species that discourage ingression. The planting will
"wraparound" to 7th Street and Lincoln Boulevard. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan
recommends Reed Park landscape edge improvements along Wilshire Boulevard and
Policy 9.2 of the Open Space Element recommends expansion of landscaped areas to
create an improved street appearance.
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For the last area of proposed improvements, a new planting scheme and improved
lighting will be implemented between Miles Playhouse and the tennis courts.
Contractor Selection
On April 5, 2010, the City issued a Request for Bids for the Reed Park Open Space
Improvements Project. The City received the following five bids on May 5, 2010:
Contractor Base Bid Alternate Bid Total Bid
Acon Development, Inc. $ 755,583 $ 117,100 $ 872,683
MG Enterprise Corp. $ 777,500 $ 170,000 $ 947,500
TLD Construction Inc. $ 857,440 $ 129,950 $ 987,390
Tsuchiya Construction Co. $ 785,629 $ 141,456 $ 927,085
Ventura Construction, Inca $ 635,500 $ 53,000 $ 688,500
*Bid withdrawn by the contractor
Bids were evaluated by staff from the Community and Cultural Services, Community
Maintenance, and Public Works Departments. The evaluation was based on pricing,
understanding of the. scope of the project, direct experience on similar projects,
approach to the work, technical competence, and qualifications of the proposed staff.
Acon Development, Inc. is recommended based on the quality of services and
experience with similar projects. Their recently completed projects include: People Who
Care Youth Center in Los Angeles, Van Nuys Civic Center Childcare Center, and Eagle
Rock Hillside Park Renovation. These projects include examples of playground and
landscape installation experience. Reference agencies were contacted and all
respondents reported that the contractor's work was completed in a timely and cost-
efficient manner while maintaining consistent quality. The State Contractors License
Board confirmed that the company's license is current, active, and in good standing.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to Acon Development Inc. is $815,000. Funds are
available at the following accounts:
0010598.589000 Reed Park Facility Improvements $ 365,000
0010599.589000 Reed Park Open Space Improvements $ 450,000
TOTAL $ 815,000
Prepared by: Shawna McCormick, Architectural Associate
Approved:
~_%~~i,
Lee E. Swain
Director of Public Works
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Contract No.
9229 (CCS).