HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem C Staff Report - Gladstone Park Ball FieldITEM C
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: DON PENMAN, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
FROM: JOE JACOBS, DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND FAMILY SERVICES
DATE: NOVEMBER 27, 2017
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING GLADSTONE PARK BALL FIELD
SUMMARY:
The Mayor requested that a Special Meeting be called to address some issues related to the Gladstone
Park ball field. Therefore, Staff compiled this report summarizing the history and options the City
Council may want to consider. The City has taken several actions over the years to address the concerns
raised regarding foul balls. The proposed action requests that the City Council discuss the item and
provide any necessary direction to Staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1) Discuss and provide direction to Staff as necessary.
DISCUSSION:
The City has taken several actions over the years to address the concerns raised regarding foul balls at
Gladstone Park. In 2006, the City’s Recreation and Family Services Department conducted a foul ball
study. The City held several community meetings with follow-up communication and in 2007 installed
fencing alongside the first base side at a cost of $26,000. In 2009, the City also planted five (5) Canary
Island Pine trees to deflect any potential foul balls from traveling beyond the park perimeter into the
adjacent residences.
On January 6, 2014, the City held a Public Hearing and approved the FY2014-15 CDBG program,
which included a $193,800 allocation to the Gladstone Park Backstop and Fencing Project (Project). The
Project was then approved by the City Council in the FY2014-15 CIP budget. The Project would have
included the installation of a new backstop, fencing and netting up to (42) feet in height along first base
and third base sides of the baseball diamond.
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
11/27/2017
Special Meeting
Discussion and Direction Regarding Gladstone Park Ball Field
November 27, 2017
Page 2
On April 20, 2016, a bid opening was held for the Project. The City received one bid from Ace Fencing
Company, in the amount of $274,836. The City Council rejected the bid for the following reasons: 1)
CDBG guidelines require minimum of (3) bidders; and 2) the Bidder did not attach the signed
addendums to the bid packet and execute CDBG documents, therefore the sole bidder was deemed to be
non-responsive.
The budget for the Project, minus architectural fees and miscellaneous drawings was $176,754. The
engineered estimate of $279,694 exceeded the budget and would have resulted in an approximate
$103,000 shortfall.
Due to rejecting the bid, on February 6, 2017, the City Council approved the cancellation of CDBG
funds for the Project, and approved the reprogramming of the funds into two FY2017-2018 CDBG
Public Improvement Projects, Sidewalk and ADA Improvements Project and Azusa Public Library
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant Restroom Retrofit and Improvements Project.
Another issue, with the bid exceeding $155,000, as mandated by the State, it would have triggered
various accessibility upgrades to the park, including restrooms, which would have added an additional
$500,000 to the project.
Staff has researched some additional options for the City Council to consider, if desired:
•Temporary moving the Recreation and Family Services Department’s Winterball games to
Memorial Park after November 30th. The season concludes on December 21st. This would be a
temporary solution, as other programing throughout the year will need to take place at Memorial
Park and baseball would therefore return to Gladstone Park.
The City obtained a quote from Judge Netting Barrier Specialists for two additional options the City
Council may want to consider:
•To provide and install poles adjacent to existing right field fence and net to additional heights
ranging from $22,600 (60 l/f at 50’ tall) to $42,800 (240 l/f at 50’ tall). The price would depend
on the length of the fence desired.
•To install a higher sixty (60) foot fence would range from $33,100 (60 l/f at 60’ tall) to $52,700
(240 l/f at 60’ tall). Again, the cost would depend on the length of the fence.
•To install a canopy over home plate (50) by (40) the cost would be $24,300.
•All options mentioned, would also need to include a California Sampled Engineering cost of
$1,900.
•All options would reduce the amount of foul balls; however, the potential for foul balls would
still remain.
The City Council should consider the cost and visual/play elements of each of the proposed
improvement options to the park. Funding through Proposition A, the Safe, Clean, Neighborhood Parks
and Beaches Measure, which was approved by Los Angeles County voters in November of 2016, is
anticipated to be available in July of 2018. These funds could fund some improvements to the park.
Discussion and Direction Regarding Gladstone Park Ball Field
November 27, 2017
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Louie F. Lacasella Joe Jacobs
Senior Management Analyst Director of Recreation and Family Services
Reviewed and Approved:
Don Penman
Interim City Manager
Attachments:
1) City Council Agenda Item – May 16, 2016
2) City Council Agenda Item – February 6, 2017
3)Press Release – May 19, 2016
4)Letter to Community – March 9, 2017
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4