HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2410-3658CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, December 09, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
11.Approval of 1) Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C16163034A with Cumming
Management Group, Inc. in the amount of $827,418 for Additional Construction
Management Services; 2) Increase of Construction Contingency for Contract No.
C21178123B with Swinerton Builders in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,000,000 for the
New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE- 15001); and 3)
Budget Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund; CEQA - Environmental Impact
Report for the New Public Safety Building (Resolution No. 9772) Consent Questions
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: December 9, 2024
Report #:2410-3658
TITLE
Approval of 1) Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C16163034A with Cumming Management
Group, Inc. in the amount of $827,418 for Additional Construction Management Services; 2)
Increase of Construction Contingency for Contract No. C21178123B with Swinerton Builders in
the Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,000,000 for the New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement
Program Project (PE- 15001); and 3) Budget Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund;
CEQA - Environmental Impact Report for the New Public Safety Building (Resolution No. 9772)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment No. 7
to Contract No. C16163034A with Cumming Management Group, Inc. to add $827,418,
increasing the not to exceed amount to $10,475,243 for Construction Management
Services for the New Public Safety Building project (PE-15001);
2. Approve an increase of construction contingency for Contract No. C21178123B with
Swinerton Builders in an amount not-to-exceed $3,000,000, for a total contract
contingency amount not to exceed $13,392,800; and
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Appropriation for the Capital Improvement Fund by
(requires a 2/3 vote):
a. Decreasing the Capital Fund Infrastructure Reserve by $3,800,000; and
b. Increasing the New Public Safety Building project (PE-15001) appropriation by
$3,800,000.
BACKGROUND
The New Public Safety Building (PSB) (PE-15001) is one of ten key projects included in the 2014
Council Infrastructure Plan. The PSB was identified as the plan’s highest priority project, and its
environmental impacts were analyzed with the 350 Sherman Avenue parking garage project for
the purposes of complying with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The parking
garage opened in December 2020. On February 1, 2021, Council approved the award of the
construction contract for the PSB to Swinerton Builders (Swinerton) and authorized execution
and delivery of one series of Certificates of Participation (COPs) in an amount not to exceed
$120 million to finance PSB construction; ultimately, only $101 million in debt was issued.1
On June 13, 2016, Council authorized a contract with Nova Partners, Inc. (Nova) for program
management and construction management services for the Infrastructure Plan projects
implementation.2 On November 27, 2017, Amendment No. 1 to Nova’s contract added
construction management services for the Fire Station #3 replacement project.3 On February
21, 2018, Amendment No. 2 to Nova’s contract updated the hourly rate schedules for years
2018 and 2019. On December 10, 2018, Amendment No. 3 to Nova’s contract added
construction management, special inspection and testing for the California Avenue Parking
Garage.4 On February 1, 2021, Amendment No. 4 to Nova’s contract added the construction
management, special inspection and testing for the PSB.5 On July 31, 2023, Amendment No. 5
to Nova’s contract extended the time of the contract through January 2024. On February 26,
2024, Amendment No. 6 to Nova’s contract extended the time of the contract through July 31,
2025 and added additional construction management, special inspection, and testing for the
PSB.6
In July 2024, Nova merged with Cumming Management Group, Inc. (“CMGI”) and CMGI
assumed all duties and obligations of Nova.
In addition to the initial construction contingency of $8,395,300 for the Swinerton contract,
Council approved an additional $1 million on June 17, 20247 and $1 million on October 21,
20248, for a total of $2 million in additional construction contingency for Swinerton.
1 City Council, February 1, 2021; Agenda Item #3, SR #11752
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=81421
2 City Council, June 13, 2016; Agenda Item #5, SR #6809
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=79216
3 City Council, November 27, 2017; Agenda Item #7, SR #8561
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=78355
4 City Council, December 10, 2018; Agenda Item #15, SR #9688
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=76086
5 City Council, February 1, 2021; Agenda Item #3, SR #11752
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=81421
6 City Council, February 26, 2024; Agenda Item #6, SR #2310-2130
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82701
7 City Council, June 17, 2024; Agenda Item #17, SR #2404-2929
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82905
8 City Council, October 21, 2024; Agenda Item #10, SR #2410-3550
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83049
ANALYSIS
The PSB is one of the most complex projects that the City has constructed to date. Given its
complexity, since the PSB construction contract was awarded in early 2021, there have been
change orders addressing issues of unforeseen site conditions, owner requested changes,
design clarifications, and required changes due to the authorities having jurisdiction, which are
agencies that are responsible for enforcing codes and regulations. In addition, since change
order costs are based on current construction costs rather than bid amounts, the significant
escalation of construction costs since award of the construction contract has impacted the
project and the use of contingency.
Due to the length of time it has taken to construct the PSB, additional funding is needed for the
construction manager, CMGI. Staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 7 (Attachment A)
to the contract with CMGI, which provides additional funding for continued construction
management services including project close-out through April 2025. Specifically, it includes
funding for four scopes of work including construction management services (performed by
CMGI), specialty scheduling services (performed by Rowecon, LLC.), special testing & inspection
services (performed by Consolidated Engineering Laboratories), and Photo-Documentation
(performed by Multi-Vista). This contract amendment includes $752,198 for base services and
$75,220 for additional services.
Since June 2024, Council has approved $2 million in additional contingency for the PSB
construction contract beyond the initial $8,395,300 contingency. As of November 2024, that
contingency has been nearly fully used on multiple change orders including smoke control for
the detention area, sally port coiling doors, and a number of other items needed to address
code compliance and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) matters that are required to receive
a Temporary (initial) Certificate of Occupancy (TCO). Staff expects to receive a TCO in December
and an additional $3,000,000 is recommended to provide enough contingency authorization to
continue to evaluate and process valid change orders for work already completed and work
required for TCO as the project nears completion.
Staff recommends increasing the Fiscal Year 2025 budget appropriation for the New Public
Safety Building project (PE-15001) by $3,800,000 using the Capital Fund Infrastructure Reserve
to award the attached contract amendment and to provide additional contingency to the
construction contract. Staff presented the FY 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
(ACFR) and Year-End budget adjustments in various funds9. In the ACFR, staff recommended
that the amount above the 18.5% target for the General Fund Budget Stabilization Reserve
(BSR) be allocated to the Capital Fund Infrastructure Reserve ($3.0 million) and the Budget
9 December 3, 2024 Finance Committee, Item #1B:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=14543
Uncertainty Reserve ($5.9 million). Consistent with current practice, the budget actions to
allocate BSR funds above the 18.5% target level will be included in the FY 2025 Mid-Year
Revenue (February 2025). General fund savings of $3 million will be transferred to the Capital
Improvement Fund during Fiscal Year 2025 midyear covering the majority of this recommended
budget amendment to PSB. If the budget amendment is approved, the revised PSB project
budget (without salaries and benefits) will be $119,432,064.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Public Works has coordinated with key staff from departments whose operations will be
dependent upon the PSB.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Environmental Impact Report for the PSB and the New California Avenue Area Parking
Garage was prepared and certified by Council on June 11, 2018 (ID #8967), by adoption of
Resolution No. 9772.10
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Cumming Management Group, Inc. Contract No. C16163034A Amendment No. 7
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer
10 Resolution 9772, https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=54175
Vers.: Aug. 5, 2019
Page 1 of 8
AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO CONTRACT NO. C16163034A
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND
CUMMING MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.
This Amendment No. 7 (this “Amendment”) to Contract No. C16163034A (the “Contract” as defined below)
is entered into as of December 2, 2024, by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal
corporation (“CITY”), and CUMMING MANAGEMENT GROUP, , INC., a California corporation, located at 25220
Hancock Avenue, Suite 440, Marietta, CA 92562 (“CONSULTANT”). CITY and CONSULTANT are referred to
collectively as the “Parties” in this Amendment.
R E C I T A L S
A. The Contract (as defined below) was entered into by and between the Parties hereto for the
provision of providing Project and Program Management Services to complete the infrastructure plan for nine
major projects approved by City Council in 2014 (“Project”), as detailed therein.
B. The CITY and NOVA Partners, Inc. entered into the Contract (defined below). Pursuant to the
Consent to Novation (detailed below) executed between NOVA Partners, Inc., Cumming Management Group, Inc.,
and CITY, wherein Cumming Management Group, Inc. was transferred the obligations of the CONSULTANT under
the Contract and Cumming Management Group, Inc. thereby became the CONSULTANT under the Contract.
C. The Parties entered into Amendment No. 1 to add Construction Management (CM) services for the
Fire Station 3 Replacement Project to the scope of services and to increase the compensation by Three Hundred
Fifty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars ($359,264) from Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Four
Hundred Seventy-One Dollars ($4,200,471) to Four Million Five Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred
Thirty-Five Dollars ($4,559,735), as detailed therein.
D. The Parties entered into Amendment No. 2 to include the Hourly Rate Schedule for years 2018 and
2019, as detailed therein.
E. The Parties entered into Amendment No. 3 to add Construction Management (CM) services for the
New California Avenue Area Parking Garage Project to the scope of services and to increase the compensation by
One Million Two Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Three Dollars ($1,249,193), from Four Million
Five Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars ($4,559,735) to a new not-to-exceed amount
of Five Million Eight Hundred Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars ($5,808,928), as detailed therein.
F. The Parties entered into Amendment No. 4 to add Construction Management (CM) services for the
New Public Safety Building Project to the scope of services and to increase the compensation by Three Million
Seventy-One Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars ($3,071,978), from Five Million Eight Hundred Eight
Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars ($5,808,928) to a new total not-to-exceed amount of Eight Million
Eight Hundred Eighty Thousand Nine Hundred Six Dollars ($8,880,906), as detailed therein.
G. In accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code section 2.30.290, the Parties entered into Amendment
No. 5 to extend the contract term for six months, through January 31, 2024 at no additional cost to the City, as
detailed therein.
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H. The Parties entered into Amendment No. 6 to extend the contract term for eighteen months
through July 31, 2025 and increase compensation by Seven Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Nineteen
Dollars ($766,919) from Eight Million Eight Hundred Eighty Thousand Nine Hundred Six Dollars ($8,880,906) to a
new not-to-exceed amount of Nine Million Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars
($9,647,825) in order to provide continued services to manage the Public Safety Building, as detailed therein.
I. The Parties now wish to amend the Contract to increase compensation by Eight Hundred Twenty-
Seven Thousand Four Hundred Eighteen Dollars ($827,418) from Nine Million Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand
Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars (9,647,825) to a new not-to-exceed amount of Ten Million Four Hundred
Seventy-Five Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Three Dollars ($10,475,243) in order to provide continued services to
manage the Public Safety Building, as detailed herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, and provisions of this
Amendment, the Parties agree:
SECTION 1. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this Amendment:
a. Contract. The term “Contract” shall mean Contract No. C16163034A between CONSULTANT and
CITY, dated June 13, 2016, as assigned to Cumming Management Group, Inc. pursuant to the
Consent to Novation to Contract No. C1616034A between NOVA Partners, Inc., Cumming
Management Group, Inc., and CITY, wherein Cumming Management Group, Inc. was transferred
the obligations of the CONSULTANT under the Contract and Cumming Management Group, Inc
thereby became the CONSULTANT under the Contract, as amended by:
Amendment No.1, dated November 27, 2017
Amendment No.2, dated February 21, 2018
Amendment No.3, dated December 10, 2018
Amendment No.4, dated February 1, 2021
Amendment No.5, dated July 31, 2023
Amendment No. 6, dated February 26, 2024
a. Other Terms. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Amendment shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Contract.
SECTION 2. Section 4, “NOT TO EXCEED COMPENSATION,” of the Contract is hereby amended to read as
follows:
“The compensation to be paid to CONSULTANT for performance of the Services shall be based on the
compensation structure detailed in Exhibit “C,” entitled “COMPENSATION,” including any reimbursable expenses
specified therein, and the maximum total compensation shall not exceed Nine Million Five Hundred Twenty-Two
Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars ($9,522,948) . The hourly schedule of rates, if applicable, is set out in
Exhibit “C-1,” entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES,” Exhibit “C-2,” entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES, AMENDMENT NO.3,”
or Exhibit “C-3,” entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES, AMENDMENT NO.4,” as applicable. Any work performed or
expenses incurred for which payment would result in a total exceeding the maximum compensation set forth in
this Section 4 shall be at no cost to the CITY.
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Optional Additional Services Provision (This provision applies only if checked and a not-to-exceed compensation
amount for Additional Services is allocated below under this Section 4.)
In addition to the not-to-exceed compensation specified above, CITY has set aside the not-to-exceed
compensation amount of Nine Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($952,295) for the
performance of Additional Services (as defined below). The total compensation for performance of the Services,
Additional Services and any reimbursable expenses specified in Exhibit “C,” shall not exceed Ten Million Four
Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Three Dollars ($10,475,243), as detailed in Exhibit “C.”
“Additional Services” means any work that is determined by CITY to be necessary for the proper completion of the
Project, but which is not included within the Scope of Services described at Exhibit “A,” entitled “SCOPE OF
SERVICES”; Exhibit “A-1”, entitled “SCOPE OF SERVICES, AMENDMENT NO. 1”; Exhibit “A-2”, entitled “SCOPE OF
SERVICES, AMENDMENT NO. 3, ADDED”; and Exhibit “A-3”, entitled “SCOPE OF SERVICES, AMENDMENT NO. 4,
ADDED” (collectively, also referred to in this Agreement as the “Basic Services”). CITY may elect to, but is not
required to, authorize Additional Services up to the maximum amount of compensation set forth for Additional
Services in this Section 4. CONSULTANT shall provide Additional Services only by advanced, written authorization
from CITY as detailed in this Section. Additional Services, if any, shall be authorized by CITY with a Task Order
assigned and authorized by CITY’s Project Manager, as identified in Section 13 (Project Management). Each Task
Order shall be in substantially the same form as Exhibit “A-1,” entitled “PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER”.
Each Task Order shall contain a specific scope of services, schedule of performance and maximum compensation
amount, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Compensation for Additional Services shall be
specified by CITY in the Task Order, based on whichever is lowest: the compensation structure set forth in Exhibit
“C,” the hourly rates set forth in Exhibit “C-1,” entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES”, Exhibit “C-2,” entitled “SCHEDULE
OF RATES, AMENDMENT NO.3,” or Exhibit “C-3,” entitled “SCHEDULE OF RATES, AMENDMENT NO.4,” as
applicable, or a negotiated lump sum provided such a sum is less costly to the CITY.
To accept a Task Order, CONSULTANT shall sign the Task Order and return it to CITY’s Project Manager within the
time specified by the Project Manager, and upon authorization by CITY (defined as counter-signature by the CITY
Project Manager), the fully executed Task Order shall become part of this Agreement. The cumulative total
compensation to CONSULTANT for all Task Orders authorized under this Agreement shall not exceed the amount
of compensation set forth for Additional Services in this Section 4. CONSULTANT shall only be compensated for
Additional Services performed under an authorized Task Order and only up to the maximum amount of
compensation set forth for Additional Services in this Section 4. Performance of and payment for any Additional
Services are subject to all requirements and restrictions in this Agreement.”
SECTION 3. The following exhibit(s) to the Contract is/are hereby amended or added, as indicated below,
to read as set forth in the attachment(s) to this Amendment, which is/are hereby incorporated in full into this
Amendment and into the Contract by this reference:
a. Exhibit “B” entitled “EXHIBIT B-3 SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE, AMENDMENT NO. 7”,
AMENDED, REPLACES PREVIOUS.
b. Exhibit “C” entitled “EXHIBIT C COMPENSATION, AMENDMENT NO. 7”, AMENDED,
REPLACES PREVIOUS.
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SECTION 4. Legal Effect. Except as modified by this Amendment, all other provisions of the Contract,
including any exhibits thereto, shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals set forth above are terms of this Amendment and are
fully incorporated herein by this reference.
(SIGNATURE BLOCK FOLLOWS ON THE NEXT PAGE.)
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SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have by their duly authorized representatives executed this Amendment
effective as of the date first above written.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
_____________________________
City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
City Attorney or Designee
CUMMING MANAGEMENT GROUP,
INC.
Officer 1
By:___________________________
Name:________________________
Title:__________________________
Officer 2
By:____________________________
Name:_________________________
Attachments:
Exhibit “B” entitled “EXHIBIT B-3 SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE, AMENDMENT No. 7”, (AMENDED, REPLACES
PREVIOUS)
Exhibit “C” entitled “EXHIBIT C COMPENSATION, AMENDMENT NO. 7” (AMENDED, REPLACES PREVIOUS)
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Senior Vice President
Robert Olson, Senior Vice President
CFO
A. Al Jajeh, CFO
Vers.: Aug. 5, 2019
Page 6 of 8
EXHIBIT “B-3”
SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE, AMENDMENT NO. 7
(AMENDED-REPLACES PREVIOUS)
CONSULTANT shall commence performance of Task 5.3 (Construction Management Services for the New Public
Safety Building) of Exhibit “A-3”, upon issuance of Notice to Proceed through the duration of the project unless
earlier terminated by CITY in its sole discretion. For information purposes, Task 5.3 is expected to be performed
from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025 and consist of a total duration of 60 months from
commencement of construction; however, that timeframe may be modified by CITY as project needs require.
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EXHIBIT “C”
COMPENSATION, AMENDMENT NO. 7
(AMENDED, REPLACES PREVIOUS)
The CITY agrees to compensate the CONSULTANT for Services performed in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, and as set forth in the budget schedule below. Compensation shall be calculated
based on the schedule of rates attached as Exhibit “C-1”, Exhibit “C-2”, and/or Exhibit “C-3,” as applicable, up to
the not to exceed budget amount for each task set forth below.
CONSULTANT shall perform the tasks and categories of work as outlined and budgeted below. The CITY’s Project
Manager may approve in writing the transfer of budget amounts between any of the tasks or categories listed
below provided the total compensation for Basic Services, including specified reimbursable expenses, and the
total compensation for Additional Services, do not exceed the amounts set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES
The administrative, overhead, secretarial time or secretarial overtime, word processing, photocopying, in-house
printing, insurance and other ordinary business expenses are included within the scope of payment for services
and are not reimbursable expenses. CITY shall reimburse CONSULTANT for the following reimbursable expenses
at cost up to the not-to-exceed amount of: $36,000. Expenses for which CONSULTANT shall be reimbursed are:
A. Travel outside the San Francisco Bay area, including transportation and meals, will be reimbursed at actual
cost subject to the City of Palo Alto’s policy for reimbursement of travel and meal expenses for City of Palo Alto
employees.
B. Long distance telephone service charges, cellular phone service charges, facsimile transmission and
postage charges are reimbursable at actual cost.
All requests for payment of expenses shall be accompanied by appropriate backup information. Any expense
anticipated to be more than $1,000 shall be approved in advance by the CITY’s
project manager.
(CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE)
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BUDGET SCHEDULE: NOT-TO-EXCEED COMPENSATION
BASIC SERVICES
Management,
Planning, and
Coordination (Projects
Management System
management of project
consultants (Projects 1-
Design/Document
Construction services
Management services
for Fire Station 3
Management services
for New California
Avenue Area Parking
Management services
for New Public Safety
schedule management
services for
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Dear Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see staff responses below for questions
from Council Member Tanaka on the Monday, December 9 Council Meeting.
Item 9: Approval of Contract Amendment Number 1 to Contract Number C21179976
with TruePoint Solutions, LLC in the Amount of $362,312 through December 31, 2026
to Provide Technical Support of Services Related to the Land Use Management
Permitting System (Accela); This Amendment Results in a Revised Total Contract Not -
to-Exceed Amount of $1,263,995. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
1. How is the 6% technology fee calculated, and is it sufficient to cover the ongoing
and future maintenance costs, especially if construction activity declines?
Staff response: The 6% technology fee is calculated based on current and planned
future software needs and resources for projects. If the collected technology fund
declines, we would prioritize maintaining day -to-day software needs and re-evaluate
future technology projects.
2. What are the primary risks associated with the ongoing relationship with
TruePoint, and what mitigation strategies are in place to address potential issues
like system delays or cost overruns?
Staff response: The primary risk with the ongoing relationship with TruePoint is the lack
of knowing what solutions other firms may develop during the contract term. TruePoint
is helpful in troubleshooting any delays or issues with our Accela system and emphasis
has been placed on systems documentation to provide the resources for a prompt
response should systems issues occur. As for any cost overruns, it has not been our
experience to encounter cost overruns with TruePoint; however, prioritization of
projects and improvements would be key in limiting cost overruns. We do not foresee
any cost overruns as the current contract is under budget.
3. How does the City ensure that the 10% rate increase is competitive with other
vendors offering similar services, and what benchmarks are used to assess this
Staff response: TruePoint’s rate increases are consistent with the General Services
Administration (GSA) rates.
4. How will the current system customizations, such as GIS integration and mobile
solutions, be preserved in the event of a transition to a new vendor?
Staff response: Current system customizations would remain if transitioning to a new
vendor, but it would be challenging and time-consuming for the new vendor to learn
how things were customized, how they are interrelated, and subsequently make any
improvements. We are fo cusing on documenting customizations and there are existing
City staff with more technical knowledge that will able to help in the event of a
transition.
Item 11: Approval of 1) Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C16163034A with Cumming
Management Group, Inc. in the amount of $827,418 for Additional Construction
Management Services; 2) Increase of Construction Contingency for Contract No.
C21178123B with Swinerton Builders in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $3,000,000 for the
New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE - 15001); and 3)
Budget Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund; CEQA - Environmental Impact
Report for the New Public Safety Building (Resolution No. 9772)
1. What specific factors led to the initial underestimation of construction costs, and
how can we avoid similar errors in future projects?
Staff response: The engineer’s construction estimate for the project prior to bidding in
2020 was $88.7 million. The contractor’s low bid and resulting construction contract
value was $84.0 million. Staff’s recommendation of an additional $3 million in
contingency does not imply that the construction cost was underestimated, given that
the total recommended contingency increase of $5 million to date roughly aligns with
the difference between the low bid and the engineer’s estimate.
2. How do the additional $3 million requested for construction contingency compare
with industry standards for similar public safety building projects in terms of risk
management and project size?
Staff response: Contingency use is not a reflection of risk management. Factors that
contribute to the complexity of this project include two basement levels, ballistic rated
building exterior, and highly technical electrical, mechanical, and communications
systems with redundancies and emergency power backup. It is not unco mmon for
public construction projects to use a contingency higher than the 10% initially
approved for this project. In fact, during Council’s action item discussion to approve
the construction contract, there was dialogue about whether a higher c ontingency of
15% would be appropriate given the project’s complexity.
3. Is it possible to provide a clear and detailed breakdown of how the $2 million
contingency funds were used, and what percentage of that went towards
addressing unforeseen site conditions versus code compliance issues?
Staff response: About $200,000 of the previously approved additional contingency
funding currently remains. The rest of the funding was used to address a number of
issues, with some of the most substantial individual ones being fire rating in the
detention area, plaster soffit details, and B1 and B2 basement shaft design
clarifications. For the change order requests supported by the added contingency,
approximately 75% were related to design clarifications, with about 22% stemming
from owner changes or changes by Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and 3% from
unforeseen site conditions. All change orders for the public safety building are
reviewed by the City Auditor as part of the Public Safety Building Construction audit.
4. How will the City manage potential future cost escalations if the requested $3
million contingency does not suffice, especially with the project still facing the risk
of additional change orders or price fluctuations?
Staff response: Staff and the construction manager continue to thoroughly vet all
change order requests submitted by the contractor, including rejecting change order
requests that do not demonstrate entitlement and issuing change orders unilaterally
when we agree on entitlement but believe the submitted costs to be overstated. If the
contractor submits change order requests demonstrating entitlement to compensation
beyond the requested $3 million contingency increase, staff will prioritize needs within
the capital budget and return to Council for any necessary authorization.