Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division recommending the Commission support staff's recommendation to move forward with a contract with Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. for the Chili Bar Feasibility Study.
FUNDING: SMUD and River Trust Fund
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 2009, the County had engaged into a contract with Foothill Associates, now Helix Environmental Planning, to provide services necessary to prepare a Master Plan for the Chili Bar Park property. This was developed with input from River Management Staff to examine options for the development of the site. The 2009 Master Plan was preliminary only, did not include public outreach, and was never adopted by the County.
On September 19th, 2019, staff brought forth agenda item 19-1422 to gather input from the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) regarding a draft scope of work provided by Helix Environmental Planning that would include a three phase process for the Chili Bar site and would include an updated plan, public outreach, and financial feasibility. The original proposed scope of work was for a total not to exceed amount of $48,695. Item 19-1422 was continued to the meeting of October 17th, 2019. On that date, staff brought forth agenda item 19-1541 to conduct a site visit at Chili Bar to provide Commissioners insight regarding the site to make a recommendation on agenda item 19-1422. On the October 17th meeting, the Commission made a motion to establish an ad hoc committee to work with staff on the scope of work and would have a revised scope of work at the next meeting. On November 21st, 2019, staff again brought forth agenda item 19-1422 and the Commission made a motion to give the ad hoc committee another two weeks to fulfill its work to come up with a final scope so that staff could get an updated cost estimate.
The Parks Division received two estimates for the Chili Bar Feasibility Study based on the revised scope of work provided by the ad hoc committee. On February 20, 2020 parks staff brought forth agenda item 20-0255 with the recommendation of moving forward with the Dudek proposal for the study in the amount of $123,570. However, no action was taken on this item as the vote was split 2/2. Two Commissioners voted to move forward with the Helix proposal rather than the Dudek proposal and two Commissioners voted no on this motion. Since that date, Dudek has also withdrawn their proposal for this project. Staff is recommending that Commission take a final action on this item and support staff in moving forward with a contract for Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. in the amount of $126,818.
This site has no improvements and has been operated by American River Conservancy through an operating agreement. Staff is requesting Board of Supervisors approve $50,000 of the River Trust Fund and $76,818 of SMUD Funds for this project. Staff intends to take an agenda item before the Board of Supervisors in regards to this item on April 7, 2020.
The study will provide information on existing infrastructure, recommendations from public input and the cost to implement. It will also provide an economic analysis of the potential revenue from the site.
This project is listed in the Parks and Trails Master Plan as a Tier 1 priority.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No General Fund impact. Staff is requesting use of SMUD funds and River Trust Funds.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Creighton Avila 621-5153
Vickie Sanders 621-7538