Agenda Item Wording:
title
Notice of completion - Request authorization to file the notice of completion for the Valley Strong Ballpark Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project.
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Prepared by:
Bryce Nagel, Assistant Engineer, (559) 713-4197, bryce.nagel@visalia.gov
Rebecca Keenan, Senior Civil Engineer, (559) 713-4541, rebecca.kennan@visalia.gov
Christopher Crawford, City Engineer, (559) 713-4331, chris.crawford@visalia.gov
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Director, (559) 713-4495, jason.huckleberry@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Valley Strong Ballpark Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project.
Summary:
The Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project replaced approximately 290 lineal feet of existing, 12-foot-tall outfield fence. The project attached new 12-foot-tall fence panels to new steel posts; reconstructed approximately 41 lineal feet of an existing iron-framed gate and fence; and reconstructed the north face of the existing red storage barn that makes up a portion of the outfield fence line, all located at Valley Strong Ballpark. This project also included installation of athletic padding on the fence and the removal and replacement of the existing batter’s eye structure. The improvements were constructed to comply with Minor League Baseball/Major League (MiLB/MLB) requirements. The construction contract was awarded to Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc. in the amount of $915,000 with the final project cost totaling $916,990.12.
Background Discussion:
On February 25, 2025, the City of Visalia Purchasing Division issued RFB 24-25-42 to obtain bids for the construction of the Valley Strong Ballpark Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project. On March 25, 2025, the City received no bid packages in response to this solicitation. As allowed by the City’s purchasing policy, the City requested bids from two potential bidders for the project as RFB 24-25-42A. On April 22, 2025, the City received two bids in response to this second solicitation. Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc., submitted a total bid amount of $915,000, and Seals Construction Inc. submitted a total bid amount of $1,290,000. Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc., was determined to be the lowest bidder by comparing the “total bid amount” of each bidder. The low bid was 27% under the engineer’s estimate of $1,250,000.
The Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project replaced approximately 290 lineal feet of existing, 12-foot-tall outfield fence. The project attached new 12-foot-tall fence panels to new steel posts; reconstructed approximately 41 lineal feet of an existing iron-framed gate and fence; and reconstructed the north face of the existing red storage barn that makes up a portion of the outfield fence line, all located at Valley Strong Ballpark. The project also included the removal & replacement of the existing batter’s eye structure. The new outfield fence was constructed of wood sheathing, attached to galvanized pipe posts that are set in 7-foot-deep footings. The side of the fence that is facing the play field is covered with 3-inch-thick padding, in compliance with MiLB/MLB requirements. The fence is supported by 2”x6” wood wind girts, which provide the lateral support to resist wind loads and impacts. The backside metal paneling was installed to dissuade climbing or tampering with the fence. A small storm drain system was incorporated to provide drainage to the area just south of the existing outfield entry gate. This gate is the main access point for field maintenance, and the dirt area becomes muddy during rain events. The new storm drain system will direct the water away from the entrance gate and provide better operations.
The project was issued with one bid item, “total bid amount”, for all work included in RFB 24-25-42A to meet Minor/Major League Baseball requirements. The RFB also included three (3) deductive alternatives to provide potential cost saving items to be implemented, depending on the bids received. The following are the three (3) deductive alternatives:
1. Deductive - Metal Paneling at Back of Batter’s Eye (east side)
2. Deductive - Metal Paneling at Back of Fencing System (exterior side)
3. Deductive - Storm Drain System
Upon staff review of the bids with the owners of the Visalia Rawhide team, First Pitch Entertainment (FPE), the project team recommended awarding the total bid amount of $915,000. The City Council awarded this contract to Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc. at the May 5, 2025 meeting in the amount of $915,000.
There were two (2) construction change orders processed for the project, resulting in a total construction cost of $916,990.12. The total construction change orders amounted to $1,990.12 (0.22%). The following is a breakdown of the construction change orders.
|
Errors & Omissions (E & O) |
$ 0 |
0.00% |
|
Utilities (UT) |
$ 0 |
0.00% |
|
Balance of Quantities (BQ) |
$ 0 |
0.00% |
|
Unforeseen Conditions (UN) |
$ 33,490.12 |
3.66% |
|
Owner Directed Change in Scope (CoS) |
($31,500.00) |
-3.44% |
|
TOTAL: |
$1,990.12 |
0.22% |
Owner Directed Change in Scope (CoS):
The change in scope directed by the City incorporated deductive alternate no. 1 in the amount of -$31,500.00 as a change order. Applying deductive alternative no. 1 eliminated the metal paneling from the back of the batter’s eye. Since the batter’s eye will be subject to impacts from flying baseballs, eliminating the back metal paneling will simplify any needed replacement and/or repair any dented front panels.
As directed by Council, staff was able to develop a maintenance agreement with FPE to address any issues related to nesting birds, debris and any other unsightly issues that may arise from leaving the rear paneling off of the batter’s eye. In the agreement FPE has agreed to maintain the batter’s eye and keep it clean of any nests.
Unforeseen Conditions (UN):
The change in scope due to unforeseen conditions includes an array of items that were found during the project. This first included removing and rerouting existing conduits and fiber cables that were found during potholing that conflicted with the proposed batter’s eye footings, rerouting them outside of the footing areas. The second unforeseen circumstance was discovered while replacing the siding for the existing camera booth. Crews found that the framing for the camera booth was unsafe and did not meet current building code requirements. This led to a full redesign and a reframe of the camera booth. The third unforeseen condition was found during the drilling of the caisson footings for the batter’s eye, pockets of sand were discovered that were not included in the geotechnical report in the bid. This led to the contractor having to vacuum the sand out of the footings and use extra concrete. The last unforeseen condition during the project was during construction of the storm drain system phase. The contractor discovered the main irrigation lines to the outfield of Valley Strong Ballpark would conflict with the proposed drain inlet. To accommodate the irrigation line, the storm drain inlet needed to be relocated causing the gate slab to be extended. The total cost for unforeseen conditions is $33,490.12
Fiscal Impact:
This project has a current budget of $1,175,700 from the Baseball Fund which is subsidized by the General Fund. The total budget for completion of the Outfield Fence & Batter’s eye project included the contract amount awarded to Forcum/Mackey, contingency, and support costs such as professional design services and materials testing services. The budget is further broken down in Table 1 below. This is one of three projects covered under the agreement that was executed in 2024 between the City of Visalia and First Pitch Entertainment, LLC. That agreement covered projects related to upgrading the sports lighting to LED (recently completed); the Outfield Wall/Padding/Batter’s Eye (this project); and the Clubhouse/Batting Cage (approved by City Council on August 8, 2025). An overall budget update of these three projects is shown below in Table 2.
TABLE 1 - Project Budget Summary
|
Outfield Fence with Padding + Batter’s Eye (CP0641) |
|
|
|
|
Current Budget: |
|
|
Baseball Fund |
$1,175,700.00 |
|
Project Cost: |
|
|
Design |
Cost |
|
Consultant |
$ 142,000.00 |
|
Misc. pre-construction costs |
$ 3,051.10 |
|
Design Subtotal: |
$ 145,051.10 |
|
Construction |
|
|
Forcum/Mackey Original Cost |
$ 915,000.00 |
|
Change Orders |
$ 1,990.12 |
|
Construction Subtotal: |
$ 916,990.12 |
|
Construction Support |
|
|
Materials Testing, Special Inspections & Staking |
$ 14,657.70 |
|
Construction Support Subtotal |
$ 14,657.70 |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses |
$1,076,698.92 |
|
|
|
|
Surplus returned to Baseball Total Project |
$ 99,001.08 |
|
|
|
TABLE 2
Valley Strong Ballpark 3-Project Cost Summary
|
CP0642 - Lighting Final Cost Budget |
$ 845,200.00 |
|
"MiLB Lighting Upgrades LED upgrade 8 poles + Accent Lighting 4 poles FINAL COST" |
$ 845,200.00 |
|
Lighting Total: |
$ 845,200.00 |
|
Amount returned to Baseball Total |
$ 0.00 |
|
|
|
|
CP0641 - Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Final Budget |
$1,175,700.00 |
|
Bid Award Amount |
$ 915,000.00 |
|
Change Orders |
$ 1,990.12 |
|
Support Costs |
$ 159,708.80 |
|
Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Total: |
$1,076,698.92 |
|
Amount returned to Baseball Total |
$ 99,001.08 |
|
|
|
|
CP0758 - Clubhouse & Batting Cage Estimate Budget |
$5,976,052.00 |
|
Construction Cost |
$5,089,982.36 |
|
FF&Es |
$ 130,000.00 |
|
Construction Contingency (4.5%) |
$ 235,700.00 |
|
Support Costs |
$ 520,370.00 |
|
Clubhouse & Batting Cage Total: |
$5,976,052.00 |
|
Estimated amount to be returned to Baseball Total |
$0 |
|
|
|
|
Estimated Budget Total 3 Projects (per this update) |
$7,996,952 |
|
Estimated Total Project Costs |
$7,897,951 |
|
COV - FPE Contract Budget |
$7,656,698 |
|
Project Costs Over Contract (Overage split City/FPE) |
-$241,253 |
|
City Share |
$120,626.50 |
|
FPE Share |
$120,626.50 |
Prior Council Action:
August 8, 2025: City Council approved Construction Proposal for Phase 2, Task 2 - Clubhouse & Related Site work by the Design Builder, 4CGlobal Inc. dba 4 Creeks Build in the amount of $3,222,783.52 and appropriated $1,335,324 from the Baseball Fund and transferred funds in the amount of $298,700 from existing projects.
May 5, 2025: City Council awarded the Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement construction contract and authorized the City Manager to sign the agreement with Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc., and appropriated $1,223,800 from the Baseball Fund.
October 7, 2024: City Council voted to approve Contract Amendment No. 2 to Zeltmacher Structural Design Engineering Inc. for design services related to the outfield fence replacement project, and the Batter’s Eye, in the amount of $35,800 and to appropriate $855,600 from the baseball fund.
Other: NA
Alternatives: None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City to file a notice of completion for the Valley Strong Ballpark Outfield Fence & Batter’s Eye Replacement Project.
end
Environmental Assessment Status: None required.
CEQA Review: City of Visalia environmental document #2024-17, notice of exemption for the Recreation Ballpark fence replacement was filed at the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder’s office on May 9, 2024.
Deadline for Action: 1/20/2026
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Architect’s Substantial Completion Letter
3. Photos