Adopt a budget resolution transferring funds from services and supplies to capital assets within the General Services Department-Parks Division budget in the amount of $124,500 for the Prop 68 Grant funded playground structure at Esparto Community Park. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Pistochini)

Adopt a budget resolution transferring funds from services and supplies to capital assets within the General Services Department-Parks Division budget in the amount of $124,500 for the Prop 68 Grant funded playground structure at Esparto Community Park

On November 9, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution accepting grant funding in the amount of $317,600 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation for Prop 68 Per Capita Program and authorized the use of General Fund contingency in the amount of $14,400 for the match contribution required by the grant. These funds are for local rehabilitation projects and improvements at various parks throughout the County, including the new playground equipment at Esparto Community Park.

Since the last Board action, the department has seen cost inflation, additional information from the playground vendor that a certified Gametime contract is required in order to not void warranties, a procedural change in the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA) regarding bidding of labor and use of cooperative agreements, and additional procedural steps in the Public Contracting Code (PCC 10298.5) for competitive solicitation of labor for Public Projects. These significant changes have resulted in the increase cost of projects and the department's request of the Board today. 

This new playground equipment project at Esparto Community Park received significant public input and is a high priority for the community. Therefore, General Services has reviewed its budget to identify opportunities to fully fund this project by utilizing unanticipated savings in its minor maintenance and improvements budget.

The department conducted a market analysis of certified Gametime vendors and encouraged four (4) vendors, Recreation Project Services, Recreation Science, Community Playgrounds Inc., and G and G Builders to become pre-qualified with CUPCCAA. The only contractor who became pre-qualified after several weeks of opportunity was Community Playground, Inc. 

Today the department is requesting the Board to adopt a budget resolution transferring funds from services and supplies to capital assets within the General Services Department-Parks Division budget in the amount of $124,500 for the Prop 68 Grant funded playground structure at Esparto Community Park and amending the FY2023-24 equipment list to reflect the addition of the playground equipment for General Services to move this project forward. The contract for labor services is within the County's Purchasing Agent threshold for signature. No Board action is required for the contract with Community Playground, Inc. 

Estimated project completion for the playground is set for early summer 2024.

General Service Department, County Counsel and Department of Financial Services

The department reviewed its budget to identify savings within its budget to support this transfer.  A large part of the savings used minor maintenance and improvements that are intended to support efforts like this project that are smaller in scope.  This action is not and does not require additional overall appropriations to the parks budget.  It merely realigns existing appropriations within the parks budget.