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Home My WebLink About05/18/1999, C3 - SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK WALK "I MUMN, v1p LN E GAS 3 SA�M omvsfRu.cno" Ru.UNE 7& A__AkJlLL_ 'P Al TA �/y F7A council °` °"s ,� qq j agenda Repout h..C3 C I T Y OF SAN LUIS O B 1 S P 0 FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Director Prepared By: Reinie Jones,Engineering Assistant. SUBJECT: SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK WALK CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Approve plans and specifications for"San Luis Obispo Creek Walk, Specification No. 90-28" 2. Authorize staff to advertise for bids 3. Authorize the CAO to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is within engineer's estimate. 4. Appropriate an additional $97,000 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund to fully cover project construction costs. DISCUSSION Background Expanding Mission Plaza between Broad and Nipomo Streets has been a City goal since the early 1970's. In 1979 a consulting architect prepared plans and specifications for improvements on the Monterey Street side of San Luis Obispo Creek between Broad and Nipomo Streets, but difficulties with right of way acquisition precluded construction. In 1988 the City completed improvements on the Higuera Street side of the creek in conjunction with development in that area The last properties needed to construct improvements on the Monterey Street side of the creek were acquired in 1997. Concept Design &Construction Documents Since preparation of the 1979 improvement plans, a portion of the bank along the Monterey Street side of the creek has eroded away, and the focus for improvements has shifted from the active uses envisioned in 1979 to more passive uses. To accommodate these changes,in January 1998 the City awarded a contract to Firma for preparation of a new conceptual design. Firma's duties included obtaining public consensus and ensuring compliance with all federal,state and local regulations. Council approved the conceptual plan in October 1998 which included pedestrian access from both Broad and Nipomo Streets, a pedestrian bridge near the midpoint at the Phoenix Building, enhancement to creek wildlife habitat and design features from Mission Plaza, such as stone veneer walls,colored concrete and mission style railing. Plans and specifications are finished and ready for bidding. The City has received the necessary permits for construction (Nationwide Permits #27-Environmental Enhancement and #33- Temporary Construction,Access,and Dewatering with the Army Corps of Engineers). C3-1 council agenba aepoat-san Luis oaispo caeek walk Pace z Public Art In March 1999 the Council approved the public art proposal for the creek walk. The artwork will be installed at the end of construction. CONCURRENCES The Parks and Recreation Commission and the Architectural Review Commission reviewed and approved the concept design. FISCAL IMPACT Current Estimated Costs Previously Estimated Costs Construction Costs $352,000 Construction Costs $285,000 Contingencies $50,000 Contingencies $20,000 Engineer's Estimate $402,000 Engineer's Estimate $305,000 The landscape architect designed the conceptual plan of the creek walk improvements to stay within the approved $305,000 construction budget. However, after geotechnical work was completed during the design phase, construction costs for the bridge increased significantly. Other changes and additions have also contributed to the cost increase. They are additional monitoring for the regulatory agency permits, landscape maintenance for one year and improvements to the south side of the creek such as new light fixtures, all of which were not included in the original budget. Higher than normal contingency money is needed due to the difficulty of construction and potential unknowns on the project. The following summarizes the additions: Increased Bridge Costs $ 15,000 New Light Fixtures South Side $ 14,000 Landscape Maintenance $6,000 Other South Side Improvements $9,000 Regulatory Permit Monitoring $23,000 Additional Contingencies $30,000 Total $97,000 At the end of the project, if there is contingency money left, staff recommends that$5,000 be spent on an interpretive display. The display would explain the steelhead habitat enhancement installed with the project. The information would be coordinated with the natural resources manager. To fund the revised budget, we recommend appropriating$97,000 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund. Adequate resources are available to fund the proposed appropriation and retain fund balance at policy levels. AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE Plans and specifications C3-2 MEETINGAGENDA t City Council Meeting DATE 518 ITEM # Q; P._5 Tuesday,October 20,1998-7:00'p.m. ACTION: Moved by Williams/Romero to 1)introduce Ordinance No.1345 to print relating to parades and special events within the City of San Luis Obispo;2)adopt Resolution No.8858 as revised establishing fees and costs to be paid by sponsors of parades and special events,with further direction to bring the fees back for review In one year,3)approve procedures implementing the parade and Ig 1 ❑CDD DIR ordinance and authorize the CAO to approve any future minor c o e ❑FIN D'^ procedures that are consistent with the ordinance; motion carni oalman 0 FIF=C', absent). yTTORNEY WW DIR CLERKIORIO ❑POLICE C`�F 2. CREEK WALK CONCEPT PLAN(File No.704-06) O td . ense O UTIL DIR me 0 PERS DIR Council held a public hearing to consider approval of the San Luis Obis concept plan(Mission Plaza Expansion).Rainie Jones. Engineering Assistant,provided the staff report and recommendations. Consultant David Foote,FIRMA San Luis Obispo, summarized the key components of the design concept Rainie Jones reported on the second element of the project as it relates to public art She noted that Recommendation Item#6 should be amended to more accurately reflect that the actual award would be for$17,600,as staff included an additional$3,000 for advertising. Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. Ann Ream.SLO Arts Council,remarked that she supports the concept and added that this is a good start for public art She recommended that staff invite artists from not only the City but the County to participate in the RFP process. Bill Walter,679 Monterey Street,suggested a visually open fence to provide security while avoiding the creation of a tunnel affect He also recommended that a gate be installed from the property to the creek to facilitate access for maintenance purposes. In addition,Mr.Walter proposed consideration be given to controlling erosion during the rainy season and a fencing device that would allow ducks to escape to higher ground. Lastly,asked that workers watch for significant archaeological"finds"during the grading process. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. Council Member Schwartz commented in support of the plan and summarized alternatives to the scope of the project as outlined In his memo to the City Council(on file in the Clerk's Office). He noted that the project is more complex than what was initially envisioned and voiced concern that the project may come in over bid. He recommended approval of the plan as proposed and stressed that if there are budget deficiencies that they be dealt with as opposed to cutting back. Vice Mayor Romero summarized his memo to the Council(on file in the Clerk's Office) proposing additional alternatives to the RFP. He asserted that if the Council wants a nice, "first class"project,it should indicate clearly to staff that they should not cut comers and, further,that staff come back to Council If they need clarification or additional funding. Discussion ensued regarding the existing pedestrian walkway. Staff displayed overhead transparencies demonstrating patio tables and chairs in the path of the walkway. Vice Mayor Romero asked the Council if there was support for directing staff to take any action to improve or abate the situation. Council Members Schwartz and Williams agreed that interaction is not a detraction but rather a part of the ambiance.There was agreement to take no action in this regard unless problems arise. MEET ; AGENDA DATE 10124IFF ITEM # MEMORANDUM October 19, 1998 0-COUNCIL 0 CDD DIA To: John Dunn CrCAO 0 FIN DIR B-ACAO 0 FSE CHIEF ErWTTORNEY D'TW DIR From: Dave Romero � e'ELERKIORIG 0 POLICE CHF D RTC D-IR D UTIL DIR RE: Concerns Regarding Mission Plaza Expansion D O PERS DIR Although I am very much in favor of the project,I have a number on concerns which I hope can be addressed prior to the Council meeting: A) The design discourages public contact with in the water. I have often observed children having a wonderful time in the stream in the current Mission Plaza. I believe it will be virtually impossible to keep children out of the stream in the project area. I feel this design should accommodate safer access to the water. B) Will the cross section of the creek upon completion of the project be large enough to accommodate the 40-year storm which is our adopted design criteria for this portion of the creek? This will be our only chance to achieve a balanced hydraulic design in this area in order to minimise flooding for the downtown. C). I noticed there is only$5,000 set aside for contingencies. This kind of job is very complicated with many unknowns. It is not reasonable to assume that a contingency of less than 5%will be sufficient for the inevitable change orders. D) Pedestrian access from Higuera Street currently winds past City installed planters, and tables and chairs from the private businesses. I believe this plan and contracts should include sufficient modification to the access way to provide improved and safer access for the pedestrians who will use the bridge. E) The agenda report and the Conceptual Plan imply a relatively minor disturbance to the Children's Museum area There is a substantial excavation and clearing and grubbing required for the project. I believe the most convenient, and perhaps the only practical way to remove material,will be through the Children's Museum property creating major disruption. F) I did not see lighting included along the north side of the creek. Night time access to the property is a part of the charm to Mission Plaza. Lighting certainly should be provided. While we are at it we might wish to consider upgrading lighting on the south side and the parking lot. G) I see we are planning to extend gabions which are not very attractive. I would hope the plans would include planting above the gabions to allow trailing vines to eventually cover them. n i I) We have had continuing problems with deterioration of the wooden steps in the existing Mission Plaza.. I would hope plans include some kind.of.protective edge on each.step. n Mitigation 7a(b) (agenda page 2-9)limits-the duration of the stream diversion to.21 day"§., If we have flexibility we should allow.for a longer period.. c: Council ROBERT H. MOTT N. JING AGENDA ATTORNEY AT LAW DATE A-1 - fi ITEM # �J�p�� + ROBERT H.MOTT 960 SANTA ROSA STREET Telephone (805)544-8757 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA 93401 Facsimile(805) 544-8076 COUNCIL O CDD DIR Ig'Cpp O FIN DIR rf pO O FIRE CHIEF May 18, 1999 E �TIORNEY O PW DIR OrC RCLERKIORIO O POLICE CHF O MIONT TEAK O UTIL DIR O O PERS OIR Council Members of the City of San Luis Obispo City Hall 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Re: Property at 800 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Dear Council Members: I represent Dr. William Watson who owns an undivided one-eighth interest in the real property located at 800 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, the location of the Ah Louis store. Dr. Watson does not wish to sell his interest in the real property at 800 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. It is inappropriate for the council to consider purchasing the above real property since all the owners do not agree to sell. If you have any questions please call me. Very truly yours, 16 RO RT H. MOTT RHM:cj cc: Dr. William Watson RECEIVED M AV 16 1999