HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-05 City Council (26)TO:
FROM:
DATE:
City
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER
APRIL 5, 1999
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
CMR: 183:99
15
SUBJECT:RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF PROCESS FOR
IMPLEMENTA~I~ON OF A HEATING, VENTING AND AIR-
CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR THE LUCIE STERN COMMUNITY
CENTER THEATRE THROUGH AWARD OF DESIGN-BUILD
CONTRACT AND WAIVER OF COMMITTEE REVIEW OF SCOPE
OF SERVICES
REPORT IN BRIEF
On January 11, 1999, Council directed staff to complete the installation of the Lucie Stern
Theatre Heating, Venting and Air-C0nditioning Unit by June 1, 2000. In order to accomplish
the design and construction by this deadline, and taking into consideration the historical,
architectural and neighborhood impact issues, staff intends to use a design-build contract,
thereby engaging one consultant/contractor from conception to completion for this project.
Staff requests a waiver of Council Committee review of consultant contract scope of services
in order to proceed with the design-build contractor selection immediately..
CMR:183:99 Page 1 of 4
RECOMMENDATION
Staffrecommends that Council waive the requirement for consideration of referral to Council
Committees for participation in the review of a draft scope of services.
BACKGROUND
In 1991, the present heating/ventilation systems were installed at the Lucie Stem Community
Theatre (Theatre), excluding the theater stage, because of concern by the Theatre production
staff that the ventilation system would cause excessive movement of the proscenium curtains
and materials of the stage sets.
On June 22, 1998, Council approved the FY 1998-99 Budget, which included the Lucie Stem
Community Theatre Renovations, CIP # 19910 (Attachment A), with a scope of work and
timeline as follows:
FY 1998-99 - Reupholster seats and replace the stage curtain in the Theatre for an
estimated cost of $133,000. The seats are being reupholstered in 1998-99, and the
stage curtain replacement will be scheduled to coincide with the HVAC system
installation. The stage curtain replacement and the reupholstered seats were
completed in 1998.
FY 1999-00 - Design and install an HVAC system, necessary infrastructure, and
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements.
On January 19, 1999, in response to CMR: 125:99, Council confirmed its direction to staff
to complete the installation of the Lucie Stem Theatre HVAC system by June 1, 2000.
In February 1998, a feasibility study was conducted for the installation of a HVAC system.
At that time, the consultant took into consideration the unique architectural character and
historical significance of the Lucie Stem complex, evaluated the present structure and made
a recommendation for size and location of the mechanical units. The assessment of the
existing ventilation system indicated that there will be additional costs due to the historical
nature of the building, physical constraints affecting the installation of the system,
architectural design features required to conceal the compressor for the system, and noise
considerations inside the Theatre and within the neighborhood. Due to the age of the
building, staff also has lead and asbestos concerns.
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The scope of work for this project includes replacing the existing fan and condensing unit
in the basement, installing condensing units in the green room, offices, rehearsal stage and
costume shop, upgrading the existing ducts to carry the new air flows in the theatre, installing
the compressor unit outside the building, upgrading the electrical system serving the new
HVAC system and installing related ADA improvements. This project will require
CMR:183:99 Page 2 of 4
associated Building Code upgrades within the area served by the HVAC system. Since the
condensing unit for the HVAC system must be located outside the building, it will raise
historical, archi~:~-ctural and neighborhood impact issues, requiring Architectural Review
Board (ARB), I-i~storical Resources Board (HRB), as well as input from the surrounding
neighborhood. The historical and architectural issues will be particularly s!gnificant since
the building is on the National Register of Historical Places. That designation will require
an extensive review and approval process for any changes to the appearance or exterior
elevation of the building. Additionally, it will be necessary to coordinate the Theatre
programs and performances with construction activities. It is anticipated that these igsues
will require a significant amount of time to resolve. The Theatre will be closed during the
construction phase from approximately mid-January 2000 to mid-May 2000.
To address these challenges and accelerate the completion of the project providing for design
and construction efficiencies, staff intends to implement this project through an award of
contract to a firm with a design-build team capability and experience. The design-build team
concept is a cohesive process between the designer, the contractor and the City. All parties
are involved in the design review process before construction begins. This allows for greater
efficiency during the design phase, and ultimately in the construction phase, by incorporating
design review comments by all parties and eliminating many questions and clarifications
during construction. This selection will be compliant with Purchasing Division bidding and
contract requirements. A design-build team would be involved in the project from
conception to completion and would provide the most efficient process to complete the
HVAC for the Lucie Stern Community Center Theatre within the requested schedule,
allowing use of the Theatre for the Summer 2000 season. The estimated cost of this project
is $600,000.
Staffhas begun preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for this project. In order to adhere
to Council’s direction to complete the project by June 2000, it is requested that the subject
RFP not be submitted for review to the Finance and Policy and Services Committees. Staff
will make every effort to minimize the process time for ARB, HRB, and neighborhood
reviews.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $600,000, with approximately $103,000
allocated to the project from David and Lucille Packard Foundation grant. Staff will return
to Council with a request for a Budget Amendment Ordinance with the award of contract for
the design/build team.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation does not represent any change to existing City policies.
CMR:183:99 Page 3 of 4
TIMELINE
Consultant selection is scheduled to begin in mid-April (Attachment B). The project
schedule reflects the process required due to the historical nature of the building, physical
constraints, architectural design features, noise considerations, and neighborhood or other
public involvement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An environmental assessment will be necessary for the installation of the HVAC system.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
CIP #19910, Community Theatre Reno;cations, FY 1998-99 Budget
Document
Lucie Stem Community Theatre HVAC Project Schedule
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Elizabeth Ames, Senior Enginee.r
GLENN S. ROBERTS
CMR:183:99 Page 4 of 4
ATTACHMENT A
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project reupholsters seats and replaces stage curtains at the Lucie Stern Community Theatre. It may also
provide for an air conditioning system for the entire facility in the future, once necessary infrastructure work is
completed and dependent on total cost.
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has awarded TheatreWorks a grant in the amount of $150,000, to be
matched by the City of Palo Alto, fbr the purpose of air conditioning the theatre and rehabilitating the aging seats
and stage drapes and curtains. In response to this grant, the City is conducting a feasibility study in 1997-98 to
investigate the costs of air conditioning the facility. It will include an assessment of the existing duct work, asbestos
concerns, and overall estimated cost of the project, including any Americans with Disabilities Act work which may
be necessary. In the interim, in 1998-99, the work on the curtains and seats will be done.
FUTURE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
FISCAL YEAR
PY Budget
1998-99
1999-00
AMOUNT
$133,000
TDB
COMPONENTS
Replacement of seat upholstery and stage curtains.
Design and installation of air conditioning, along with any necessary
infrastructure work and Americans with Disabilities Act work.
2000-01
2001-02
2002,03
Sources of Funding: General Fund ($66,500) and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation ($66,500).
IMPACT AND SUPPORT ANALYSIS
~,Environmental:For seats and curtains work, categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15301,
minor change to existing facility. For air conditioning work, an environmental
assessment may be necessary.
Design Elements:None.
Operating:None.
Telecommunications:None.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan contains no policies or procedures directly related to this project.
368
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ATTACHMENT B