HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-08 City CouncilCity of Palo
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS &
COMMUNITY SERVICES
AGENDA DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 CMR:357:97
SUBJECT:GOLF COURSE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: RF_JECTION OF
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE DRIVING RANGE
Staff requests that Council reject the bids received for the Driving Range and direct staff to
proceed to revise the scope of work and rebid the project with the rest of the Golf Course
Improvement Project.
Staff recommends that the Council:
1. Reject all bids received for comtruetion of ~tie Driving Range at the City of Palo Alto
Golf Course.
2.Direct staff to revise the project scope and rebid the work with the rest of the Golf
Course Improvement Project.
The project is in accord with the adopted Golf Course Master Plan.
In May 1995, Council approved the Golf Course Master Improvement Plan and a Site and
Design Application for the Golf Course improvements (CMR:248:95). In July 1997,
Council approved a Budget Amendment Ordinance to fund the construction e0sts for a portion
of the Master Improvement.Plan (CMR:327:97). The driving range improvements are apart
of the Master Improvement Plan and include realigning the driving range while maintaining
the same rectangular configuration, installing synthetic turf, grading to add vertical relief, and
installing higher fencing. The change in alignment and fence height will mitigate a continuing
safety issue by preventing errant balls from entering Embarcadero Road, the office building
adjacent to the range, and the tenth fairway.
CMR:357:97 Page I of 3
Originally the driving range was to be part of the Golf Course improvements. To provide
staff with the greatest flexibility in bidding and construction scheduling, the construction plans
for the driving range were developed as a separate bid package from the Golf Course
improvements. The driving range construction plans were completed ahead of the rest of the
improvements so that the driving range could be bid and constructed bef6re the scheduled
start of the rest of the Golf Course improvements .in March 1998, Separating the driving
range from the Golf Course improvements would have provided an attractive renovated range
while the Golf Course is improved.
The design of the driving range improvements was completed in May 1997 and bids were
opened on July 29, 1997. One bid of $817,007 was received and is $357,007 over the
construction estimate of $460,000. The consensus of contractors who took out bids but chose
not to bid was that they were currently too busy with other projects to bid this project. The
specialized nature of the work also limited the number of contractors available to perform the
work. Staff reviewed the bid with contractors and suppliers and found the bid was higher due
to the increased cost of materials and the lack of competition.
Due to the excessive difference between the low bid and construction estimate, staff
recommends rejecting all bids. In response to contractors’ comments, staff is redesigning the
range fencing and restructuring the specifications into a more attractive bid package with the
Golf Course improvements so that the fencing and artificial turf. materials can be
competitively bid. These changes and other modifications to the design should lower the cost
of the project to the construction estimate.
The driving range will be reincorporated into’ the Golf Course ,Improvements which are
scheduled to start construction in March 1998 without affecting the project schedule. The
range will be sequenced after the improvements for the Golf Course to minimize
inconvenience and disruption to the golfing patrons. It is anticipated that the driving range
will be completed by the fall of 1998 and the Golf Course will reopen in the spring of 1999
as originally scheduled.
There is no fiscal impact.
Council approved a. Mitigated Negative
(CMR:248:95).
Declaration for this project in May 1995
CMR:357:97 Page 2 ot" 3
PREPARED BY: John Carlson, Acting Assistam Director
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
GLENN S. ROBERTS "
Director of Public Works
PAUL THILTGEN ~
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
"EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:357:97 "P~ge 3 of 3