SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize an increase to existing purchase order with TranSystems Corporation of Clearwater, Florida, for professional engineering services for the development of State Street Park, located at 1312 State Street from $12,500.00 to $135,580.00 pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 34-23, Engineering of Record (EOR) continuing service agreement and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On July 20, 2023, Council approved the use of 47 firms to serve to provide professional engineering services as Engineer of Record (EOR) under a continued services agreement RFQ 34-23 and TranSystems Corporation was selected as one of the approved firms.
In December of 2023, purchase order #24000339 was issued to TranSystems Corporation, in the amount of $12,500.00 for the preliminary phase of the State Street Park Design project. Based on the preliminary investigation and site plans, staff is recommending that purchase order #24000339 be increased from $12,500.00 to $135,580.00 for the next phase of the project which consists of developing Site Construction Plans, Architectural and Structural Plans, Permitting, Construction Observation Services, Tree Inventory, Preservation Plan, and Geotechnical Investigation and Engineers estimate of total project construction costs.
TranSystems Corporation was selected from our Engineer of Record list due to the reliability of their professional personnel on staff, their ability to put together a team of various disciplines to complete this project, and their past performances in other major site development projects. Their attention to detail, expedited turnaround times, aptitude for environmental concerns, and communication techniques with the client and other inter-disciplinary professional services are what makes them the EOR to be selected for this project.
Staff has met with the Spring Branch Neighborhood Association on numerous occasions to gather their input regarding the development of this park. The plans will include a picnic shelter, parking lot, future playground area, stormwater management facilities, two bridges, landscaping, environmental education signage, and trail system throughout the park.
Additional staffing for these improvements will not be required as parks staff currently maintains the active portion of the park while the passive areas of the park will remain in their natural state with the addition of improved trails and signage. Operating budgets will increase by approximately $12,000.00 to cover the increase cost of electricity, water, replacement shell, and miscellaneous supplies.
The budget for this project has grown due to additional stormwater management requirements, necessity to provide a crosswalk across N. Betty Lane, additional sidewalks in the Right of Way of N. Betty Lane, and expansion of trail system and bridge into newly acquired park property. Total project costs are unknown at this time but are anticipated to be $800,000.00 to $1,100,000.00. Current project funding is $700,000.00 of ARPA related General Fund revenue. If approved at these design specifications, additional resources will need to be allocated at award of the construction contract.
Staff is currently analyzing all ARPA related projects to identify if resources need to be reallocated to accommodate encumbrance and spending timeline restrictions. That analysis will be brought to council at a future date which may identify additional funding available for State Street Park.
This item is consistent with the Community Development Code as well as the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in capital improvement project G2218, ARPA State Street Park Improvements, to fund this work order.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of the purchase order supports several Strategic Plan Objectives, including:
• 1.2: Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 1.3: Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities, and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.2: Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
• 4.3: Protect the conservation of urban forests and public green spaces to promote biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.
