Title
Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with Rauhorn Electric, Inc. for the Veterans Memorial Park Skatepark Lighting Project ($269,955.00) (ITB 4707)
Memorandum
Attached for review and action is a resolution to approve a construction contract with Rauhorn Electric, Inc. in the amount of $269,955.00 for the Veterans Memorial Park Skatepark Lighting Project.
Project Description: The Ann Arbor Skatepark is a world-class facility located in Veterans Memorial Park and is part of the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation system <http://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/play/Pages/Skatepark.aspx>. It was opened in 2014 and is a very popular park amenity that is highly used year-round. The Skatepark is open during regular park hours of 6:00am to 10:00pm but it does not currently have site lighting, like the adjacent ball fields which are lit, and this limits the Skatepark’s evening use.
The Skatepark Advisory Commission recommended that lighting be added to the Skatepark in order to extend its use into the evening to allow skateboarding to safely occur year-round during regular park hours. The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark have fundraised to contribute to the installation of the lighting.
The Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan identifies providing exceptional user experience as a goal, as this project would extend the usable hours of the Skatepark into the evening for this very popular and heavily-used amenity. This project also supports the PROS plan goal of providing a safe park system by providing adequate lighting to allow skating to occur safely and deter unwanted activity.
The project meets the sustainability goals of promoting active living and learning as skateboarding is an active recreational sport, as well as a social one. This project also supports the goal of having a safe community by minimizing the risk of skating accidents due to insufficient light. Additionally, the intent is to find a sustainable lighting solution that conserves energy and perhaps even utilizes renewable forms of energy.
Skateparks can be challenging to light properly because skating is a fast, multi-directional sport and Skatepark features such as ramps, stairs, ledges, and bowls cast shadows. Therefore, a professional lighting consultant was engaged to develop a design lighting system that would ensure adequate light levels to be able to quickly see contour changes of curved bowl features, reduce glare and shadows, and maximize visibility for safe use. The consultant also utilized sustainable lighting principles to minimize energy consumption and reduce light pollution to comply with the dark skies initiative. The result of the consultant’s work was a set of contract documents used for bidding.
The contract documents for the project were bid through the City’s Procurement Unit following standard procedures. Two options were bid to allow for purchasing flexibility, both of which provide adequate lighting but through different approaches:
• Both options provide adequate lighting for the users of the skatepark.
• The base bid called for the skatepark to be lit with a full sports lighting system.
• The alternate bid called for the skatepark to be lit with an area lighting system, similar in style to what would be found lighting a parking lot or roadway.
The Invitation to Bid No. 4707 was advertised on the City’s website and on MITN. On January 26, 2022, the City received one (1) bid from Rauhorn Electric, Inc. in the amount of $335,622.00 for the full sports lighting system and $269,655.00 for the area lighting system. These bid amounts were both approximately 22% above the construction cost estimates for the project.
Due to the price difference between the two bid options, staff recommends that the area lighting alternate bid be accepted for a total contract value of $269,655.00, and that Rauhorn Electric, Inc. be awarded the construction contract for the Veterans Memorial Park Skatepark Lighting project. A 10% construction contingency ($26,965.00) is requested to cover potential contract change orders to be approved by the City Administrator. It is requested that a $296,620.00 contract and contingency amount be approved for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding is available for this contract in the approved FY2022 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvement Millage budget. Additionally, Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark have currently fundraised a $20,000 contribution for this project. Other partners have expressed interest in contributing and any additional funds received will offset the contributions from the City.
Rauhorn Electric, Inc. submitted all required Non-Discrimination, Prevailing Wage, Living Wage, and Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms and complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
The Parks Advisory Commission recommended approval of this contract at their March 15, 2022 meeting.
Staff
Prepared by: Hillary Hanzel, Landscape Architect IV
Reviewed by: Josh Landefeld, Interim Parks & Recreation Services Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Skatepark is a world class facility that would greatly benefit from being lit during park hours;
Whereas, The Skatepark Advisory Commission recommended that lighting be added to the Skatepark to allow skateboarding to safely occur year-round during regular park hours;
Whereas, The project supports the Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan goals of providing exceptional user experience and a safe park system;
Whereas, The project meets the sustainability goals of promoting active living and learning and having a safe community;
Whereas, Funding for the Veterans Memorial Park Skatepark Lighting Project is available in the approved FY2022 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage budget;
Whereas, The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark have currently raised $20,000 in funds to contribute to the installation of the lighting;
Whereas, Additional funding partners are being engaged and any additional funds received will offset the Park contribution;
Whereas, The Parks Advisory Commission recommended approval of this contract at their March 15, 2022 meeting; and
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a construction contract with Rauhorn Electric, Inc. in the amount of $269,655.00 for the Veterans Memorial Park Skatepark Lighting Project (ITB 4707);
RESOLVED, That a contingency amount of $26,965.00 (10%) be established within the project budget and that the City Administrator be authorized to approve change orders to the construction contract with Rauhorn Electric, Inc. that do not to exceed the contingency amount, in order to satisfactorily complete this project;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the contract after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.