Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approving a Design Professional Services Agreement with Melton Design Group, Inc for the Design of General Vang Pao Park and Aletha June All-Inclusive Playground
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an agreement for community engagement, site planning, and Park Master Plan design services for General Vang Pao Park including Aletha June All Inclusive Playground on the corner of Cardella Road and Freemark Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving a Design Professional Services agreement with Melton Design Group, Inc, in the amount of $319,165 for community engagement, site planning, and design services; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents; and
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1111-Competitive bidding, and Merced Municipal Code Chapter 3.04, Article III - the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services of an estimated value greater than thirty-four thousand dollars ($38,000.00), the "contract threshold," shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder.
California Government Code Section 4526 - Selection of a firm to perform engineering services shall be on the basis of demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024-2025 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
General Vang Pao Park & Aletha June All-inclusive Playground
The Bellevue Ranch community development plan included the development of four new parks. Due to a variety of factors, namely the great recession, the dedicated park lands remained vacant since development slowed significantly. Since that time, Parks & Community Services Department applied for several rounds of Proposition 68 grants which have not been awarded. The Department held a series of public hearings to determine the naming of the dedicated park land on the corner of Cardella Road and Freemark Avenue, approximately 7 acres. The name General Vang Pao Park was adopted for the land and Aletha June was adopted as the name for the future all- inclusive playground.
In 2023 the Parks & Community Services Department was awarded a grant of $700,000 from First 5 of Merced County. The intention of the grant was to extend safe play across Merced County. A total of $300,000 was dedicated to the development of Aletha June Playground at General Vang Pao Park. As part of the First 5 grant application, City Council authorized a match from the City’s Park Reserve to assist with the design and development of General Vang Pao Park and Aletha June Playground.
Request-for-Proposals
Staff solicited proposals from landscape architecture or multidisciplinary design firms with expertise in culturally themed community park master planning and all-inclusive playground design to complete a site master plan for General Vang Pao Park and construction-ready plans for Aletha June Playground. Three firms submitted proposals with sealed cost proposals as of the suspense date. An evaluation committee was convened consisting of Parks & Community Services, Public Works, Planning and Engineering staff. Each member rated the proposals based on criteria including, but not limited to: projected timeline, qualifications of staff assigned, experience designing park master plans, experience with stakeholders involved with project, experience designing all-inclusive playgrounds, understanding of park site.
1. Melton Design Group, Inc. Chico, CA
2. Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG), Inc., Sacramento, CA
3. O’Dell Engineering, Modesto, CA
The evaluators selected Melton Design Group, Inc., as the top-rated proposal. The remaining sealed cost proposal will be returned to the prospective bidder. Staff requested that Melton Design Group provide an updated scope-of-work to stay within budget and to develop final plans and specifications for the construction of Aletha June Playground, calculated irrigation design, and water wise landscape plans.
The Melton Design Group scope-of-work includes:
• Project Launch, Site Planning with Community Stakeholder Groups
• Site Survey, Analysis, Base Data Review and Base Map Development
• Schematic Plan Development and Initial Cost Estimate
• Master Plan Development and Cost Estimate (30%)
• Construction Drawings, Specifications and Submittals (75%, 100%) for General Vang Pao Park and Aletha June Playground
• Bid Administration
• Construction Administration
The Melton Design Group proposal for completing the above tasks is for the not-to-exceed sum of $319,165. Staff has identified an additional $31,000 (10%) as appropriate to cover the Engineering Division’s potential costs for project engineering, project evaluation and underground utility confirmation activities at the site.
Proposed Budget:
|
Community engagement, Site planning, and Design services |
$ 319,165 |
|
Engineering, Testing, Inspection (10%) |
$ 31,000 |
|
Total |
$ 350,165 |
Staff will request authorization from the City Council at a future date to award the 1) Aletha June Playground construction contract, and 2) General Vang Pao Park construction contract(s).
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Project CP240049 was established as a Capital Improvement Project and contains sufficient funding to complete the project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Service Agreement
2. Request for Proposals