PURPOSE

Staff requests City Council approval of an Agreement for Architectural Services (Agreement) between the City of Burbank and Charles Walton Associates AIA, Inc. (CWA) to provide professional architectural design, specialty consultants, and engineering services for the redesign of the Robert R. Ovrom Park Project.

BACKGROUND

On May 2, 2006, the Council directed staff to proceed with the re-design of the Robert R. Ovrom Park Project, and more specifically, the Neighborhood Recreation Center and required on-site surface parking.  The Park and Art in Public Places program would essentially remain the same.

The decision to re-design the Neighborhood Recreation Center was based on two conditions that rendered the previously approved OPP-1 Project financially infeasible: 1) the projected $16.0M total project cost compared to the previously approved $9.2M budget, and 2) the Burbank Unified School District�s decision to relocate its Community Day School operations to the former Miller Elementary School facility.

At the May 2, 2006 Council meeting, staff presented four alternative programs to the Council, who concurred with staff�s recommendation to proceed with Program Option C.  Program Option C includes the following primary components:

• A total projected project cost of $7.6M to $8.0M

• A single story Neighborhood Recreation Center comprised of approximately 5,800 to 6,800 s.f.

• On-site surface parking for approximately 20 vehicles

• A one-acre Park as previously designed, accepted, and approved

• Art in Public Places program (final design to be completed and approved)

• Off-site improvements that include new curb, gutters, and sidewalks

• Partial alley vacation

ANALYSIS

Architect Selection Process.          In an effort to expedite the re-design effort, the selection process to secure an architectural/engineering design team was accelerated with the support of the Project�s Oversight Committee and Council.  The recommendation to select CWA was based on the following:

• CWA was a short-listed A/E candidate when the initial Request for Proposal process for the original Ovrom Park Project was performed;

• CWA has a proven track record as a team member that designs high quality public facilities that are functionally and aesthetically commensurate with client needs.  CWA�s last design project for the City of Burbank was the Buena Vista Branch Library and Lincoln Park Project; and

• CWA has the in-house expertise, design team capability[1], and responsiveness required to meet the City�s need for this important project.

Charles Walton Associates AIA, Inc.           CWA, established in 1946, is based in Glendale, California and is a 15 person firm that specializes in working with governmental, institutional, educational, and non-profit organizations. CWA�s capabilities include programming, planning, design, and construction administration on a wide range of public and private facilities. 

Agreement for Architectural Services.  The Agreement between the City and CWA is provided in Attachment A.  The Agreement is specifically tailored to the scope of services required for this Project and to CWA as a provider of professional architectural services.  The Agreement increases the City�s authority and sole judgment over the quality level and/or acceptability of all architectural services.  In addition to the accountability for designing a facility that meets specified construction budget constraints, CWA has specific responsibility for relevant costs to make the City whole as a direct consequence of potential architectural design errors and/or omissions.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Based on staff�s ability to quickly secure a new architectural/engineering team for this re-design effort and since the required programming for the new Neighborhood Recreation Center was previously and substantially identified[2], the following schedule milestones are anticipated.

         Complete Programming, Re-Design & Submit               July 2006 - March 2007

         Public Agency Final Approvals                                         April 2007 � June 2007

         Project Bidding Phase                                                           June � August 2007

         City Council Approval                                                                        August 2007

         Contract Award & Mobilization                           August 2007 � September 2007

         Construction Period                                      September 2007 - September 2008

         Final Occupancy                                                                              October 2008

With the support of the Oversight Committee and an expedited decision-making process, staff remains confident that these milestone dates can be achieved. 

FISCAL IMPACT

A lump sum fee of $385,000 was negotiated for the project services detailed within the Agreement.  The cost for architectural/engineering services represents approximately 12.8% of the estimated $3,000,000 construction cost.  Sufficient funds have been appropriated in Account #370.CP01A.70005.0000.13504.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Council approval of the Agreement between the City of Burbank and Charles Walton Associates AIA, Inc. (CWA) to provide professional architectural design, specialty consultants, and engineering services for the redesign of the Robert R. Ovrom Park Project.

Attachment A �Agreement for Architectural Services with Charles Walton Associates AIA, Inc.

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