Item 1-M

City Council Meeting: July 22, 2003

Santa Monica, California

TO:	Mayor and City Council
FROM:	City Staff
SUBJECT:	Award of a Construction Contract with a Guaranteed Maximum Price to Westport Construction for the Selective Demolition and Stabilization of the Marion Davies Estate

Introduction

This report recommends that the City Council award a construction contract with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to Westport Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $400,000 for the Marion Davies Estate project located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway.

Background & Discussion

The project involves selectively demolishing structures that do not contribute to the historic value of the property, including the former banquet building, the cabana buildings, portions of the locker building and shed-type buildings and stabilizing, boarding and securing the remaining structures in accordance with Santa Monica Fire Department standards and the U. S. Department of the Interior’s standards for preserving historic structures. The selective demolition will result in the removal of the structures that were identified for removal in the Council-approved reuse plan and will eliminate the structures that have been most problematic in terms of repeated instances of vandalism.

On January 14, 2003, Council authorized a pre-construction services agreement with Westport Construction for the project, following a competitive bid process. At that time staff advised Council that the construction contract with a GMP would be submitted to Council upon completion of the demolition plans. The plans have been completed, estimates of construction costs have been prepared and staff recommends approval for a construction contract with Westport Construction, Inc., with a GMP not to exceed $400,000 for the selective demolition and stabilization of the site. Following the targeted demolition staff will return to Council to present possible financing strategies reflecting economic realities for the future use of the site.

CEQA Status

The proposed project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (Class 1(L) 15301) since it involves the demolition and removal of individual small structures. This categorical exemption has been approved by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation in that the work will comply with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Historic Property Treatments and if archeological resources are uncovered through subsurface work, the work shall stop in the area until a State Park archaeologist can determine how to proceed.

Budget/Financial Impact

Funds in the amount of $400,000 are available in the following accounts:

C11052099.589000	“Rehab 415 PCH”	$177,500
C11052002.589000	“Rehab 415 PCH”	$197,500
C11052094.589000	“Rehab 415 PCH”	$ 25,000
	Total Available:	$400,000

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Award a construction contract to Westport Construction, Inc., with a GMP not to exceed $400,000 for the demolition and stabilization of the Marion Davies Estate to Westport Construction, Inc.; and

2. Authorize the City Engineer to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within budget authority.

Prepared by:

Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works Management Barbara Stinchfield, Director of Community and Cultural Services Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director of Community and Cultural Services Elaine Polachek, Open Space Manager Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer Lauren Friedman, City Architect Susan Lowell, P.E., Civil Engineer