TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Katherine Doherty, City Engineer
Kenneth Rosenfield, Consulting Project Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Awarding a Construction Agreement to Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs for the Wayfinding Phase I Vehicle Parking and Pedestrian Sign Improvement Project for $241,805, Including Contingency; and a Determination that the Project is Categorically Exempt from Environmental Review Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Works Director Lee).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 24-0087
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 24-0087:
a. Awarding a construction agreement to Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs for the Vehicle Parking and Pedestrian Sign Improvement Project (Wayfinding Sign Program Phase I) (Project) in the amount of $210,265;
b. Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Project; and
c. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and authorize the City Manager and/or his or her designee to approve extra work up to $31,540.
2. Find the Project categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Sufficient funds of $241,805 are currently available for the construction agreement under consideration with Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Parking Funds. A Budget and Expenditures Summary Report is attached.
BACKGROUND:
In 2014, staff received direction to evaluate Manhattan Beach sign styles and types and to develop a cohesive signage program that would better establish a citywide identity. Such signage and wayfinding includes directional, parking and pedestrian signage, monument signs and banners, street signs, murals, and related identity branding.
In 2015, Selbert Perkins Design (SPD) was retained to assess the City’s current information and wayfinding signage, propose and implement a Public Outreach Plan, recommend design standards for wayfinding elements that are reflective of the City’s identity, provide three Signage Program themed options, and develop a master plan based on the City Council-selected design theme. SPD summarized the City’s existing signage program and presented three design themes for consideration for a new wayfinding signage program at the October 15, 2015 City Council meeting.
On October 3, 2017, SPD re-summarized the City’s existing signage program and presented three design themes for City Council consideration for the wayfinding signage program. The City Council selected the “Beach Classic” design theme for background imagery for the Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan (Master Plan).
On June 5, 2018, staff presented the Master Plan and prototype to City Council for consideration of final approval. City Council directed staff to make minor revisions to the Master Plan and deferred its approval pending an update to the City logo, a separate effort undertaken during that time.
On November 19, 2019, City Council approved the Master Plan and appropriated funds for a Phase I Project.
On July 18, 2023, City Council discussed the Wayfinding Master Plan and the Phase I Project and provided direction on updates to the Master Plan, which also included modifications to the Phase I Project.
The designer, SPD, was re-engaged in October 2023 to incorporate City Council’s direction in the Master Plan and complete revisions to the design of the Phase I Project, addressing both staff comments and City Council direction.
On October 17, 2023, City Council directed staff to return to revisit the street sign color within the Signage and Wayfinding Program as identified in the Master Plan.
On July 18, 2023, City Council discussed and directed certain revisions to the Master Plan relative to the Font, Pier Symbol and Blue Color for signage, and approved the addition of the Business Directory Signs in the Phase I Project.
On March 19, 2024, City Council authorized the Phase I project be advertised for construction bids. The Phase I project includes the removal of 123 existing signs and installation of 82 new signs in the white “Beach Classic” design. The new installations include:
• 26 post-mounted Parking Identity Signs
• 8 Parking Entrance Signs on City-owned parking structures
• 11 Parking Entrance Height Restriction Signs on City-owned parking structures
• 10 Parking Directional Overhead Signs on traffic signal poles
• 20 Parking Directional Signs on light poles
• 4 Business Directory Signs in the Downtown Business District
• 3 Business Directory Signs in North Manhattan Beach Business District
The Phase I Project does not include the installation of any street identification signs. Staff intends to return to City Council in August 2024 to present additional options of the street identification signs as a result of the direction provided by City Council on March 19, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
Bids for the Project were solicited on a competitive basis in accordance with the provisions of the California Public Contract Code in May 2024. The Project was advertised on the Public Works Department Bid Opportunities webpage and the City’s Bid Portal with PlanetBids (an online service that connects vendors, suppliers, and contractors to government procurement opportunities). The Project was advertised as the Vehicle, Parking and Pedestrian Sign Improvements Project, Project No. D-941.
Four bids were received on May 29, 2024, by the bid date and time due. The bids ranged from a low bid of $210,265 to a high bid of $727,000 as follows:
Contractor Total Bid Amount
Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs $210,265.00
Monarka Development Corporation, dba Express Sign & Neon $317,180.00
A Good Signs and Graphics Company, Inc. $350,310.00
HZS Engineering, Inc., dba HZS Construction $727,000.00
The Designer’s construction cost estimate was $772,180.00.
All bid packets have been analyzed for arithmetical errors, completeness, accuracy, etc. and no errors were identified. Staff’s review of Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs bid determined it to be responsive. Representatives of agencies where Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs has performed work indicated that the work performed was comparable to the project scope of work and completed to their satisfaction. The Project was discussed with representatives of the firm, and they expressed confidence in their bid and a desire to perform the work in a timely and acceptable manner.
Given the low bid received and the anticipated additional project expenses identified in the attached Budget and Expenditures Summary Report, staff recommends that City Council award a construction agreement to Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs for $210,265 and that the City Manager and/or his or her designee be authorized to approve change orders for up to $31,540 for additional work resulting from unforeseen conditions and utility interferences. The work is estimated to be completed in approximately five months once it commences in fall 2024.
The Project includes the installation of the Business Directory Signs in North and Downtown Manhattan Beach. One Business Directory Sign is slated for installation at the top of the escalator exit of the Metlox Parking Structure. The property management firm for Metlox, The Tolkin Group, has requested this sign location be shifted south by approximately 10 feet for improved visibility and accessibility. The modification will be incorporated into the Project during the construction phase.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Extensive public outreach, consisting of online surveys, email surveys, community member interviews, multiple City Council meeting agenda items, multiple Commission meetings and Business Community meetings were held spanning June 2015 to May 2018, leading to the approval of the Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan.
Public outreach activities related to the proposed business directories were conducted through “look and see” events in conjunction with the Downtown Business + Professional Association on July 11, 2023, and the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District on July 15, 2023. Notice of the events was provided through the City’s social media and postcards.
Targeted outreach will occur before the start of construction for residents and businesses located near and/or adjacent to construction activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the Project and associated contract for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff has determined that the Project qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301(c), which exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public structures involving negligible expansion of existing or former use. The Project consists of placement of new signage and replacement of existing signage on which is a negligible expansion of the existing use (public streets and sidewalks). Therefore, the Project is exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-0087
2. Agreement - Square Signs LLC, dba Front Signs
3. Plans and Specifications (Web-Link Provided)
4. Budget and Expenditures Summary Report
5. Location Map