The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1996-08-08 City CouncilCi*y of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: Public Works August 8, 1996 CMR:368:96 ~ Status Report on Arastradero Preserve Structure Removal, CIP 19532 REOUEST This is an informational report on the status of removing the structures located on the Arastradero Preserve. No Council action is required. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This informational report does not contain any changes to existing City policies. BACKGROUND On June 19, 1995, Council approved the 1995-96 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which included $90,000 for a project to dismantle the main house and caretaker house located at the Arastradero Preserve (Preserve). On March 11, 1996, Council directed staff to proceed with removal of the structures with a focus on the reuse and recycling of materials from the structures. The project was expanded to include removal of all structures on the Preserve, including the 40 foot x 100 foot barn, the four water tanks, the swimming pool, and associated facilities. On May 13, 1996, staff recommended to Council a proposed work plan for the implementation of the five elements of the Preserve project. Included in this report was a commitment by staff to return to Council with an informational report on salvaging materials from these structures, for reuse in a facility which would serve as a gateway to the Preserve and for recycling of other materials to the extent possible. DISCUSSION Staff intends to award a dismantling contract for removal of the Arastradero property structures. In addition, staff intends to salvage materials from the site which would be reused in a future gateway facility or be recycled. This can be accomplished by either including the salvaging work in the dismantling contract or by awarding a separate salvaging contract. CMR:368:96 Page 1 of 4 Based on several meetings and a preliminary assessment of the site, Bay Area Action has expressed an interest in salvaging the materials utilizing the services of volunteers. This would be accomplished by Bay Area Action hiring a volunteer coordinator and a recycling contractor. Staff is currently in preliminary discussions with Bay Area Action on providing the salvaging services. In the event the City proceeds with this option, it would be necessary to clearly define the responsibilities and timing for the volunteers so that they are compatible with the dismantling contractor’s scope of work. Adequate insurance to cover the volunteer activities would also be necessary. Following’is a description of the dismantling and salvaging activities which would occur in three phases: Phase I - Dismantling of reusable materials. Prior to dismantling the structure, reusable materials that are present in and around the structures and are easily accessible, will be removed. A number of these materials have been identified as appropriate for reuse in the gateway facility, including bricks, flagstone, timbers, redwood siding, doors and windows. These selected items will be set aside in a designated area, for transport to another site for storage until the gateway facility is constructed. Small items such as bricks will be stacked on pallets to facilitate their transport. All remaining recyclable materials will be removed from the site to be reused elsewhere. A number of alternatives for storing materials to be reused in the gateway facility were considered. Based on factors including the cost of transport, proximity to the site, increased traffic on John Marthens Lane, and impacts on the Preserve and Foothills Park, staff recommends creating a temporary storage site on the Preserve near the proposed location of the gateway facility. The Open Space and Sciences Superintendent has studied the area and located a site that will have minimal impact on the preserve and park users, will have minimal visibility and minimizes the distance for hauling materials. The haul route will primarily be via an existing fire road (see attached map). The temporary storage facility will be approximately 100 feet square and will be enclosed by a solid wooden fence intended to blend with the surroundings. Materials salvaged from the structures will be moved to the location, and large items such as doors, windows and interior plumbing, will be stored in two 40-foot long cargo containers. The cargo containers are estimated to cost approximately $2,000 each to purchase. (Rental of the containers is not economical due to an estimated $300 per month cost for two years of storage.) Planning Division staff intends to staff approve the temporary storage location and fencing unless otherwise directed by Council. CMR:368:96 Page 2 of 4 Phase II - Dismantling of Structures. After the removal of easily accessible, reusable materials has been accomplished, the contractor will proceed with further dismantling of the structures. Chimney and fireplace structures will be moved in large pieces to an area adjacent to the house, for further final disassembly. Likewise, reusable lumber from the barn will be set aside in a designated area where dismantling can be completed, nails removed, and materials stacked. As with the material in Phase I, salvageable items not identified for reuse by the City will be removed from the site for reuse elsewhere. Non-reusable materials which can be recycled, including concrete, asphalt and wood, will be transported by the dismantling contractor to a recycling facility. Contract specifications will require a written accounting for each load of materials taken to such a facility. Non-recyclable materials will be removed to a landfill for disposal. Phase III - Final site cleanup and grading. When the salvaging operation has been completed, the dismantling contractor will remove the remaining materials and recontour the ground at the structure sites to accommodate future habitat restoration. In June 1996, the structures were inspected by a qualified testing firm to determine the extent of hazardous materials present in the structures. A report has been prepared which makes recommendations for handling and removing these materials. In summary, minor quantities of hazardous materials have been found in some of the structures, including lead based paint and asbestos. Prior to commencement of the salvaging and dismantling work, a separate contract will be let by the City for removal of these hazardous materials. Funds for this task are available in the 1995-96 Capital project. FISCAL IMPACT Funds totaling $90,000 are available from the CIP for the removal of the Preserve structures. Due to the increase in project scope resulting from the additional structure removals, storage, fencing and recycling, the CIP funding may need to be augmented. If necessary, staff will return to Council with a Budget Amendment Ordinance at the time of contract award. Funding would be reimbursed from the Arastradero Preserve Fund for this purpose, upon the approval of the Committee advising the Peninsula Community Foundation. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Demolition of the house and reuse of the materials has been previously determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15304(d), minor alterations in land resulting in improvement to wildlife habitat. Use of a small portion of the Arastradero Preserve for a temporary storage facility is categorically exempt under Section 15304 of CEQA as a minor alteration in the condition of land which does not involve removal of mature trees, and 15304(e), minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent affects on the environment. CMR:368:96 Page 3 of 4 ATTACHMENT: Map PREPARED By: George Bagdon, Assistam Director of Public Works GLENN S. ROBERTS Director of Works CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Manager CMR:368:96 Page 4 of 4 City porking lot Arastradero Lake John 0 Arastradero Storage site Oote B Barn ker’s House Arastra Storage Projee[ Si~e and Arastra House Access arospresh