Title
Tree Planting Project at Depot Park (B)
This item is a request for approval of a tree planting project at Depot Park, to be paid from Tree Mitigation Funds, and authorization of a change order in an amount that requires City Commission approval.
Explanation
The CRA has been working closely with the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department to develop a strategy for leveraging tree mitigation funds at Depot Park. Tree mitigation funds are acquired through private development that occurs throughout the City of Gainesville. In August 2015, CRA staff worked closely with the current Depot Park Phase II construction team to develop a scope of work to upsize all of the trees to be installed at Depot Park. The current plans for Depot Park Phase II identify 247 trees, with an average caliper of 2”, to be installed on site. CRA staff requested a proposal from Oelrich Construction, Inc., the construction management firm for the Depot Park Phase II project, for upsizing all of the trees to be installed on site and for the addition of some trees that were omitted from the plans during negotiations of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction.
In September 2015, the CRA received the proposal from Oelrich Construction, Inc. which identifies 289 trees, significantly larger in size, to be installed on the Depot Park Phase II site. The CRA presented this proposal to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department for the amount of $734,693.36. The following is included in the scope of work outlined in the proposal (the full proposal is included as backup to this item):
- Upsizing 247 trees currently identified in the Depot Park Phase II plans
- Addition of 42 trees previously omitted from the Depot Park Phase II plans
- Upsizing the 42 additional trees to match the remaining 247 upsized trees
- Installation costs (transport, root ball prepping, mobilization and tree protection)
- Additional irrigation costs for larger tree specimens
- Disposal of contaminated soils from tree holes (on an as-needed basis)
- Mulch around tree base
- Tree bracing (on an as-needed basis)
- 1 year warranty with an option for 2 additional years (contingent on a 2-year tree maintenance agreement)
- Construction Management fee
- Bond fee
Section 30-254(b)(2), Gainesville Land Development Code, provides that Tree Mitigation Funds may be used for new tree plantings associated with public improvement projects or for the preservation of trees through the purchase of conservation lands, but not for tree maintenance or toward the installation of new trees that would already be required for a development. All of the work conducted within the scope identified in the proposal qualifies for use of Tree Mitigation Funds in accordance with the ordinance, and will be tracked and documented throughout project construction. Any unused funds would be reimbursed to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department. The Depot Park Phase II project is currently under construction with completion expected in Fall 2016. City Commission approval is required for this item in that the contract change order will exceed 10% of the total contract price.
Fiscal Note
The construction of Depot Park Phase II is fully funded. Funding for upsizing all of the trees currently identified in the plans, and for the addition of trees not identified in the current plan set, is available through the Tree Mitigation Funds obtained by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department through private development.
Recommendation
City Manager to City Commission: 1) Approve the proposal submitted by Oelrich Construction, Inc. for the amount of $734,693.36, to be paid from Tree Mitigation Funds; and (2) authorize the CRA Executive Director to execute the contract change order documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.