Agenda Item Wording:
title
Notice of Completion - Authorize the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Orchard Removal Project at the East Side Regional Park.
body
Deadline for Action: 3/3/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Katherine Woodhull-Fuget, Associate Engineer, Katherine.Woodhull-Fuget@visalia.city, (559) 713-4447
Eric Bons, Senior Civil Engineer, Eric.Bons@visalia.city, (559) 713-4350
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, Chris.Crawford@Visalia.city, (559) 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Director of Engineering and Building, Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.city, (559) 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Orchard Removal Project at the East Side Regional Park.
Background Discussion:
The East Side Orchard Removal Project consisted of removing 151 acres of walnut and pecan trees from the site of the future East Side Regional Park (ESRP). Forty of the 151 acres were cleared as part of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Flood Diversion Recharge Enhancement (FDRE) Initiative. The additional 111 acres were added as a change order and funded with city local funds from Groundwater Recharge (224), TIF (241), Recreational Facilities (211), and Storm Construction (221) funds.
The orchard removal was done by JFS Enterprises, Inc. The original construction contract amount was $285,000 for 38 acres. The final cost of the contract including change orders is $1,132,500 for a total of 151 acres of tree removal.
The following is a breakdown of the contract changes:
|
Errors & Omissions (E&O) |
$ - |
0% |
|
Utilities (UT) |
$ - |
0% |
|
Balance of Quantities (BQ) |
$ - |
0% |
|
Unforeseen (UN) |
$ - |
0% |
|
Change of Scope (CofS) |
$ 847,500.00 |
297% |
|
Total |
$ 847,500.00 |
297% |
All contract changes were City-initiated changes of scope. There were two change orders for a total of $847,500. Change Order 1, for $15,000, added two grant-funded acres adjacent to the initial 38 in order to maximize the use of the DWR grant which allowed for 40 acres. The procurement of JFS Enterprises, Inc for the clearing of the grant-funded acres presented an opportunity to clear the additional two acres of trees nearby. Change Order 2 added 111 acres of tree removal which was locally funded acres for $832,500 and was approved by City Council August 5, 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
The project was funded by the DWR FDRE Initiative and local funds from the Groundwater Recharge (224), TIF (241), Recreational Facilities (211), and Storm Construction (221) funds.
Below is a breakdown of the project budget:
|
Project Funding |
|
|
DWR FDRE Grant (Fund 001) |
$ 313,500.00 |
|
Groundwater Recharge (224) |
$ 132,600.00 |
|
TIF (241) |
$ 48,400.00 |
|
Recreational Facilities (211) |
$ 728,200.00 |
|
Storm Construction (221) |
$ 40,300.00 |
|
Total |
$ 1,263,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
JFS Enterprises, Inc Contract |
$ (1,132,500.00) |
|
Environmental costs & misc. |
$ (21,244.24) |
|
Staff Time (FY 23/24) |
$ (16,662.59) |
|
Estimated Staff Time (FY24/25 -25/26) |
$ (30,000.00) |
|
Total Expenditures |
$ (1,190,406.83) |
|
|
|
|
Project Balance |
$ 62,593.17 |
The grant agreement with DWR has a contract end date of June 30, 2026. While the land clearing has been completed, the groundwater monitoring and potential flood diversion obligations of the grant agreement will continue until the contract end date. Any budget remaining at the end of the contract term will be returned to the respective funds.
Prior Council Action:
August 5, 2024, City Council authorized a contract amendment for JFS Enterprises, Inc. for increased orchard clearing at the East Side Regional Park, the appropriation of additional funds, and a license agreement with Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.
November 20, 2023, City Council authorized acceptance of grant funding from the Department of Water Resources in the amount of $313,500, award to JFS Enterprises for land clearing services in the amount of $285,000, and appropriation of $346,350 for the entire project.
October 16, 2023, City Council adopted Resolution 2023-43 authorizing grant participation.
Alternatives: None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion for the Orchard Removal Project at the East Side Regional Park.
end
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: This project is covered by the East Side Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge Project Final Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2014121076)
Attachments:
Project Location Map.