To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PACIFIC AQUASCAPE INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE REPAIR OF THE LOWER POND AT WILDERNESS PARK, JOB NO. 31010, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $420,069, WITH A TERM THROUGH JANUARY 20, 2028
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wilderness Park is located at 1102 Camino Real and was built in 1973. Approximately 10 years ago, the lower pond and stream were taken out of service due to safety concerns associated with the pond’s concrete base and liner. The pond was drained and the dry pond bed was covered with soil. The water circulation pumps were also removed. The pond, stream, and water circulation system are no longer functional and require significant repairs to reactivate the feature. Repairing the Wilderness Park lower pond is on the priority list of the City’s FY 2024-25 adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
On September 17, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution declaring work on the Wilderness Park Lower Pond as “repair,” exempting it from bidding requirements pursuant to Sections 19 and 19.1(a) of the City Charter. Staff requested proposals from known firms and received one proposal, which was submitted by Pacific Aquascape International, Inc. (Pacific Aquascape). Staff is recommending approval of an agreement with Pacific Aquascape to repair the lower pond and stream to the state reflected in the 1977 as-built plans, for an amount not to exceed $420,069. The project is expected to be complete, and the pond operational, in early 2026. The three-year term of the agreement includes 12 months of regular maintenance of the facility, following completion of the repair, and time to close out agreement invoicing.
BACKGROUND
Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach was officially opened in 1973. The park was developed to preserve the natural habitat of the area and offers hiking trails, native plants, and a peaceful environment for visitors. It serves as a small urban wilderness within the City providing a contrast to the more developed areas of Redondo Beach. Approximately 10 years ago, the lower pond and stream were taken out of service due to safety concerns associated with the pond’s concrete base and liner. To protect the public from the depression left by the drained pond, it was filled with soil. The pumps were also removed to prevent theft, vandalism, and corrosion.
The pond, stream, and water circulation system are no longer functional and will require significant repairs due to aging and/or failure. Staff requested proposals from known firms and only received one proposal from Pacific Aquascape. Staff has negotiated contract terms with Pacific Aquascape and recommends approval of an agreement with the firm to repair the lower pond and stream, as reflected in the 1977 as-built plans, for an amount not to exceed $420,069 and a three-year term through January 20, 2028.
The scope of work to be completed includes repairing the pond liner and base, stream liner, piping, water circulation pumps, filtering system, and aquatic planting. Pacific Aquascape will prepare and submit complete engineered drawings for the pond and stream repairs, including schematics for the control panel, electrical layout, piping configuration, and equipment placement for the City Engineer’s approval. Once the plans are approved by the City Engineer, they will furnish and install a new pond and stream liner, repair the pond edges and planters, aeration system, recirculation pumping system, filters, and electrical panel. They will demolish the existing and damaged concrete pond base and excavate, shape, and grade the repaired lake bottom and place City-provided boulders around the pond. They will also provide a list of recommended aquatic plants for City Engineer approval. Upon approval they will furnish and deliver the plants onsite for planting by field crews and volunteers.
The contract term has been set, conservatively, for three years to provide sufficient time for all project closeout and follow-up services to be provided prior to contract expiration. Staff anticipates substantial completion of the project within a year, following a design period of approximately six months and the following construction period of another six months. The contract includes regular maintenance services for twelve months following construction.
COORDINATION
The Agreement has been coordinated with the Community Services Department and the Public Works Engineering Division. The City Attorney’s Office approved the Agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the repair project is included in the FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program budget, Wilderness Park Pond Redesign, Job No 31010. The remaining balance in the project budget following payment of the Pacific Aquascape Agreement is approximately $293,000 which can be deployed to address other upgrades and repairs which include water bottle filling stations, and other recreational amenities to further enhance the public's enjoyment of this unique outdoor space. Of the remaining funds, approximately $50,000 comes from the Community Development Block Grant which must be used for improvements to the Community Center.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Pacific Aquascape International, Inc.
• Insurance - Pacific Aquascape International, Inc.
• Reso - No. CC-2409-083 Declaring the Repair of the Wilderness Park Lower Pond as Repair, September 17, 2024