Council Meeting:  June 22, 2004                                                                                                                                           Santa Monica, California

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and City Council                               

 

FROM:            City Staff

 

SUBJECT:     Construction Contract for Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum Office Addition

 

 

Introduction

This report recommends that City Council authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a construction contract for the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum Office Addition project with AWI Builders, Inc., the best bidder, in the amount of $523,480 and approve a contingency amount of $34,600 (6.6%).

 

Background

The Woodlawn Cemetery and Mausoleum is operated by the City of Santa Monica and provides gravesites, crypts and niches to Santa Monica residents. The existing Mausoleum office inadequately serves the public, lacking a reception area and waiting room, and does not comply with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.  On May 2, 2000, the City Council approved the long-term operating plan for the Cemetery, which recommended proceeding with the design and construction of additional office space.

 

The project has been designed to include cost-effective "green" building features including energy efficient lighting, motion sensor light switches, low ”e” glass, and a light colored roof to reduce the “heat island” effect.   Materials have been specified that contain high recycled content; that have low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC); and materials that contain no toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde binders typically found in particle boards or arsenic which typically is used as a wood preservatives.  Construction will be staged on Cemetery grounds resulting in minimal construction impacts to the public visiting the cemetery. 

 

A construction contract was previously awarded to Maher Development Inc.  The City exercised its rights to suspend construction to allow time to resolve unforeseen design and construction issues.  Due to the timing associated with this work, Maher Development Inc. was relieved of their contractual obligations, allowing the City to re-bid with the necessary modifications.  

 

Discussion

A Notice Inviting Bids for the construction contract was published on April 1 and 3, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times.  Six contractors requested bid packages and the City Clerk's office received two sealed bids, which were publicly opened on April 19, 2004 by the Deputy City Clerk.

           

            The bids received for this project are as follows:

                    AWI Builders, Inc.                                              $523,480

                    T.L.D. Construction, Inc.                                    $578,300

                                                City Engineer's Estimate     $525,000

 

The best bidder, AWI Builders, Inc. supplied the City with six references, all of which reported that the contractor's work quality was good and that the work was completed in a timely and cost efficient manner.  AWI Builders, Inc. recently successfully completed Animal Shelter Improvements for the City of Santa Monica and is currently recommended to construct SAMOSHEL improvements.  The State Contractors' License Board verified that the Contractor's license is current, active, and in good standing. 

 

Budget/Financial Impact

 

CONSTRUCTION FUNDS REQUIRED

                        Contract................................................................................ $523,480

                        Contingency.......................................................................... $  34,600

                        Total Construction Funds Required................................... $558,080

 

Funds in the amount of $560,000 are available in account C370590.589000, “Mausoleum Office Addition.”

 

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council:

1.                  Authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a construction contract for Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum Office Addition with AWI Builders, Inc., the best bidder, in the amount of $523,480 and approve a contingency amount of $34,600; 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

                        Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer

                        Gil Borboa, Utilities Manager

                        Mike Steen, Cemetery Superintendent

                        Jean Higbee, Utilities Business Supervisor

                        Lauren Friedman AIA, City Architect

                                    Sam Aslanian AIA, Architecture Associate