Introduction

This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Black and Veatch in an amount not to exceed $875,000 to provide engineering and architectural services for the Seismic Retrofit of City Hall.

Background

Numerous buildings and other structures were damaged in the City as a result of the January 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Although the City Hall building did not sustain significant damage, the City commissioned a seismic evaluation of the structure. This evaluation provided the City and Federal Emergency Management Agency with cost-effective remediation measures to bring City Hall to the current code.

The scope of the seismic work includes structural engineering and associated upgrades, accessibility enhancements, historic preservation, hazardous material abatement, construction phasing, move planning, and cost estimating. The construction components of the structural upgrade for this type of building typically involve anchoring the floors and roof to the walls, providing additional floor stiffening, strengthening the existing steel column to beam welds and other measures.

The current estimated construction cost for the project is $5 million. These funds have been set aside by FEMA for this project. Construction is currently anticipated to start in spring 2007 and complete approximately 6-9 months later. It is anticipated that City Hall will remain open and accessible during the course of the project although individual work units may move within the building.

Discussion

On June 27, 2005, a Request for Qualifications was issued for design services and six responses were received. A selection committee consisting of staff from the Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Building and Safety Divisions reviewed the qualifications. Four firms were short-listed and invited to make individual presentations to the committee. Based on the qualifications and presentations, the selection committee recommended Black and Veatch.

Black and Veatch has successfully completed seismic retrofit design for three downtown parking structures in Santa Monica; namely, Parking Structures 5, 7, and 8. In addition, the firm has extensive experience in similar projects, including the Castaic Lake Filtration Plant Building, Inland Empire Utilities District Seismic Evaluation, County of Los Angeles Public Works Headquarters, and the City of Costa Mesa City Hall. City staff contacted the reference agencies. All respondents reported that the firm’s work was completed in a timely and cost-efficient manner while maintaining consistent quality.

Budget/Financial Impact

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided funds for various upgrade projects throughout the City as result of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. These projects are near completion with balances remaining. Authorization was received from FEMA to utilize the remaining balances for the seismic retrofit of City Hall.

The total cost of this professional services agreement is not to exceed $875,000. Funds in the amount of $875,000 are available in account E130748.555060.30000, “City Hall Seismic Retrofit.”

Recommendations

Staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Black and Veatch in an amount not to exceed $875,000 to provide engineering and architectural services for the Seismic Retrofit of City Hall.

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

Prepared by:

Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management

Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer

Don Patterson, Acting Assistant to the City Manager

Dave Britton, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer

Alex Parry, Architecture Associate