TO:
Honorable Mayor Lesser and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
David N. Carmany, City Manager
FROM:
Richard Gill, Parks and Recreation Director
Idris J. Al-Oboudi, Recreation Services Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Scope of Work for the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan
APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the scope of work for the Parks Open Space, Activity, and Landscape Master Plan.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is $100,000 budgeted in the fiscal year 2012-2013 for the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan.
BACKGROUND:
One of the goals of the City's Strategic Plan for 2012-2013 is to develop a Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan for all park open space. The purpose of the plan is to develop long term goals and strategies for outdoor recreational activities, amenities and infrastructure. The City's Strategic Plan directed that park buildings not be included in the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan.
DISCUSSION:
The goal of the outdoor Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan is to evaluate the condition of existing park amenities and infrastructure and look at the entire park open space for new and future activities and amenities. Staff is also proposing that the chosen consultant review the 2008 Facility Strategic Plan to see if there are ideas from that study that can be included in an updated Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan. The main components of the Request for Proposal for the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan are:
1. Site Analysis and Evaluation of Existing Park Amenities & Infrastructure;
2. Recommendations for Locations of Future Park Amenities and Activities;
3. Coordinated Landscape Policy for all City Parks;
4. Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility evaluation;
5. Review of 2008 Facility Strategic Plan for Areas of Incorporation into the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan;
6. Community Meetings and Consensus Building; and
7. Cost Estimates for the Proposed Improvements.
1. Site Analysis and Assessment of Existing Park Amenities and Infrastructure
This phase will include an extensive analysis of all current park amenities and infrastructure for code compliance, accessibility improvements, maintenance needs, replacement, repair and upgrades. This includes, but is not limited to, the City's ball courts, play equipment, picnic pads, exercise equipment, shade structures, fencing, pathways/sidewalks, electrical and lighting, stairs, security, irrigation, drainage, signage, and parking. A review of park buildings is excluded from this report.
2. Assessment of Park Open Space for Future Park Amenities and Activities
It is recommended that the Consultant assess the existing open space for areas where future amenities and activities can be implemented. The Consultant will conduct community meetings to determine the interests and needs of the residents and assess where those amenities/activities can be added without impacting nearby neighbors.
The Consultant will meet with staff, community interest groups, and review the activities and attendances at each existing community center (Manhattan Heights/Joslyn) to identify and quantify the current activities in each community center and identify future outdoor needs that complement and add to the existing programs in each community center.
Some of the user groups that the Consultant will be working with to identify needs are the teens, older adults, dog owners, and youth. The Consultant will also be working with and through the Parks and Recreation Commission. Some of the activities and amenities that have been discussed previously by the Parks and Recreation Commission are: skateboard park, dog runs, petanque, shuffleboard, and outdoor shade and picnic areas for seniors.
3. Coordinated Landscape and Irrigation Policy for All City Parks
Turf:
The City has committed to a policy of ongoing sustainability and is desirous of a comprehensive review of all turf areas and identification of candidate sites for turf removal, replacement, or reduction as identified through the use of the principles of xeriscape gardening. The use of native and climate-appropriate plantings or alternate surfaces will reduce water and maintenance expenditures. Applied surfaces could include synthetic turf, permeable PCC, pavers, decomposed granite, recycled rubber paving, or other recommended materials. The integration of turf reduction and surface treatments into path of travel for maintenance crews should also be considered to reduce soil compaction and ease maintenance of irrigation equipment, controllers, and any site amenities and furnishings.
Trees and Shrub Planting:
Trees should be identified for appropriate placement, proximity to travelled pathways/potential risk, proximity to hardscape, and any root related damage noted. Additionally, City's integrated sustainability approach requires little or no pesticide use.
Drainage:
As part of the City's integrated sustainability approach, on site water infiltration to address drainage is favored over conducting water to storm drain facilities. Current topography/elevation differential should be reviewed and recommendations to mitigate areas identified as problematic addressed.
Irrigation:
A review of current irrigation systems and recommendations for potential expansion of central control, rehabilitation, irrigated zone changes, or replacement should be included in the Master Plan. The irrigation recommendations should be comprehensively developed in conjunction with drainage and planting plans.
4. ADA (accessibility evaluation)
The Consultant will analyze and evaluate all park and open spaces in the City for areas where the City can improve accessibility. It is the City's intent to improve accessibility above and beyond the ADA code requirements for all open space and activities where feasibly possible.
5. Review 2008 City Facility Strategic Plan (FSP) for Recommendations that can be
Incorporated into the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan
The City completed a two year facility strategic plan which was a comprehensive review, analysis, and community process for all City parks, programs, and facilities in 2008. The 2008 FSP focused on replacing, consolidating, and building new buildings, swimming pools, senior center, and scout house for all community programs. While the focus of this Request for Proposal/Master Plan is outdoor amenities and activities, the FSP should be analyzed for the ideas, programs and amenities that were developed as part of that process.
6. Community Outreach and Public Process
Staff will be engaging the community in the development and execution of the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan. As such, it is estimated that there will be at least six public/community meetings (two Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, two community-wide evening meetings, and two City Council meetings). In addition, it is anticipated that the consultant must plan at least two meetings with the Older Adults Program, one meeting with the teens/youth participants, and one meeting with the dog owner community.
7. Cost Estimates
The final Parks Open Space, Activity and Master Plan presented to the City must contain professional cost estimates for each major category in the Master Plan (i.e., play equipment, exercise equipment, irrigation, landscaping, lighting, and ADA improvements, etc.)
City's General Plan
The results of the Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan will be incorporated into the City's General Plan mobility section update.
Veterans Parkway
The attached draft scope of services in the Request for Proposal does not include Veterans Parkway. City Council recently approved the scope of services for the Veterans Parkway Request for Proposal. The scope of services approved by City Council for Veterans Parkway will develop a landscaping policy. It does not contemplate or address activities or amenities for programs such as shuffleboard, horseshoes, petanque, or dog run locations. Staff believes City Council does not wish to pursue locations for any active programs such as the aforementioned.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and approve the scope of services for the RFP for a Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan. If approved, staff will return to City Council in March for the award of contract. It is anticipated that the site analysis and assessment, community outreach and the Master Plan will take approximately six months to complete. When completed, the Consultant will make a presentation to City Council.
Attachment
1. Request for Proposal Parks Open Space, Activity and Landscape Master Plan Services