TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Katherine Doherty, City Engineer
Gilbert Gamboa, Principal Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Proceeding with the Final Design Phase for the Sand Dune Park Improvements Project (Unbudgeted) (Public Works Director Lee).
APPROVE
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve proceeding with the Sand Dune Park Improvements Project Final Design Phase.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal implication associated with the recommended action at this time.
Based on the preliminary conceptual design, the full project cost is estimated at $3.6 million. However, funding available for this project in the Five-Year CIP Plan amounts only to $1.2 million. Therefore, the project is currently underfunded by approximately $2.4 million. However, sufficient funds are currently available to complete the Final Design Phase, which will provide the City with a more detailed and accurate cost estimate for this project.
Staff recommends that City Council approve proceeding with the Sand Dune Park Improvements Project Final Design Phase at this time. Staff will return to City Council upon completion of the final cost estimate with recommendations for fully funding the project. (Additional potential funds of up to $800,000 and $489,000 are available in the Public Art Fund and Measure A Grant Funds, respectively. These funds could be available for specific aspects of this project and help to reduce the project funding deficit).
BACKGROUND:
The development of a Sand Dune Park Master Plan is on the City Council’s Work Plan. During the January 11, 2022, joint City Council/Commissions meeting, City Council directed staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to explore opportunities to improve Sand Dune Park and evaluate uses for the future, including nature areas and trails, park improvements, and a replacement building currently housing a workspace and storage area.
Completed action items to date include a major landscape revitalization project led by Public Works, which included cleaning, stabilizing, and beautifying the hillside, irrigation system repairs, upgrade of the retaining wall and fencing, and adding decomposed granite at the bottom of Sand Dune Park.
David Volz Design (DVD) was selected to solicit community feedback from outreach events and surveys and to develop conceptual design plans for the park improvements. DVD developed two design scenarios based on community input for the City’s consideration. These concepts were presented at a community meeting at Sand Dune Park on March 9, 2024.
On May 29, 2024, the final concept design was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Based on the feedback, the Commission approved the final concept design for recommendation to City Council. The Commission focused on elevating the park’s existing amenities without having to reimagine its unique identity.
On September 17, 2024, City Council approved the Sand Dune Park final concept design with the proposed south lawn area bike path removed from the design. The final concept plan includes one tot lot and one playground for children ages five to twelve. It also includes two new fully accessible play structures that will be enclosed with a new fence and gates. The play structures will be comprised of natural wood with rubberized surfacing.
The design protects the existing mulberry trees while adding seating opportunities. An outdoor education area featuring a low wooden stage and low benches for elementary school children was added based on input received at the community meetings. A pedestrian lighting system is proposed for the entire park to enhance security and aesthetics.
The design also features two new prefabricated buildings with Spanish-style architecture. A new restroom and office building will anchor the site’s south side and provide much-needed upgrades to the park’s facilities. At the City Council’s request, decorative fencing has been incorporated, with the proposed lace fencing being very well received by the community. A final design and cost for the art will be reviewed by the Cultural Arts Commission and presented to City Council for an allocation from the Public Arts Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The next step is implementing the approved conceptual plan and proceeding to a final design. The scope of work for completing the Final Design Phase for the project will consist of the preparation of plans, specifications, and final cost estimate including necessary technical investigations. The work includes, but is not limited to the following design services:
• Final design survey and existing site conditions
• Utility coordination
• Geotechnical engineering services
• Draft construction plans and specifications
• Final construction plans and specifications
• City plan check and permitting coordination
• Construction cost estimate
• Bidding and construction design support services
• As-built record drawings
• Additional services as necessary
Upon approval from City Council to proceed, staff will solicit proposals from landscape architecture design firms for the Final Design Phase, estimated at approximately $200,000. DVD may also provide an amendment proposal to their existing contract for the final design services.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission have conducted a survey and hosted two public outreach meetings, to gather community input regarding additional potential enhancements, including a new facility, upgraded park amenities, and expanded programming at Sand Dune Park. A survey was conducted in late 2022 to understand what residents want to see in Sand Dune Park concerning facilities, amenities, and programming. The survey was open through May 31, 2023. A community meeting was held at Sand Dune Park on April 30, 2023, and March 9, 2024. The resulting design was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 29, 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed Sand Dune Park conceptual design for compliance with CEQA and finds that the conceptual plan is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction). The Project will neither individually nor cumulatively have an adverse effect on wildlife resources, as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 711.2. Furthermore, there are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt classes; therefore, there are no unusual circumstances. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Final Conceptual Design
2. Location Map