City Council to Act on Contracts for a Diverse Array of Municipal Capital Improvement Projects

BY BILL KOENEKER

The Malibu City Council is poised to approve several contracts for capital improvements projects being built throughout the municipality at its meeting next week.
The council is set to authorize the city manager to execute a construction contract with the lowest bidder for the construction of a Paradise Cove stormwater treatment facility in an amount not to exceed $1,127,000.
The city has noticed the bidding and is expected to hear from qualified bidders in the next couple of weeks.
Funding for the project originally came from Prop 40 grants and about $342,000 from the city’s coffers.
Because of the problems in Sacramento, the grant funding was suspended but the staff has successfully obtained federal recovery money and state clean water revolving fund dollars.
Paradise Cove was the site for a temporary experimental prototype stormwater treatment facility that was removed a year ago.
“Based on the data collected, it is the belief of all the parties that a more permanent solution with a system properly designed and sized to accommodate the [creek] discharge flows will improve the coastal water quality,” wrote Richard Calvin, the city’s public works superintendent, in a memo to council members.
The current grants require the construction of the project to begin prior to Oct. 1, 2009, according to the staff report.
Another project that continues to move forward despite litigation is the award of a construction contract for Legacy Park.
The staff is recommending the council reject a bid protest submitted by American Landscaping, Inc and authorize the mayor to execute a construction contract with LH Engineering Company, Inc. in the amount of $6.3 million for the construction of the Civic Center park.
The city council approval of the improvements for the park, including a stormwater detention basin and other park improvements, has been challenged by the Santa Monica Baykeeper. Since there is no injunction against it, the city has proceeded with moving forward with everything but building the park, despite the litigation.
In a staff report, the public works director indicated it is hoped the work can begin after the Chili Cook Off event Labor Day weekend and be finished by September 2010.
The council is also scheduled to approve a services agreement with LPA, Inc for architectural design services for its newly acquired City Hall building.
The $64,000 contract calls for the design firm, which is currently designing the new Malibu Library, to utilize the space available for a city hall, while maintaining the community, theater and media facility functions.
City officials say the building has adequate space for city staff, council chambers, a senior center, space for community uses and can also be rented out as a state-of-the-art media facility.
Municipal officials have already decided to use LPA for the entire design process through final construction documents and bidding.
LPA’s website states it has designed 10 city halls, multiple performing arts centers and 10 community centers. LPA has over 140 LEED accredited professionals at the firm.
In other action, the council is expected to approve $54,600 for the upcoming year for what is unceremoniously called the “ghost shuttle,” because it goes nowhere except from the Westward Beach parking lot to the Point Dume headlands and carries very few passengers.
Nevertheless, an agreement the city entered into in 2000 with the California Coastal Commission and the state Department of Parks and Recreation requires the city to provide the shuttle service, though it has proven to be ineffective. The agreement was reached to end the litigation over access issues to the headlands.