TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 26, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
ABC’S FOR ME PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
ABC’s For Me Preschool is a licensed and accredited program that leases from the City space within the Alexander Hughes Community Center. Per the lease agreement, the City is responsible for the care and maintenance of the facility and playground yard. The existing playground is aged and not in compliance with State regulations for preschool playground equipment. City staff worked with Great Western Recreation to develop a new playground design for the ABC’s for Me Preschool. ABC’s for Me Preschool staff have reviewed and approved the design, which is being presented for City Council consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Approve the playground design for ABC Preschool as submitted by Great Western Recreation;
B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with PlayCore, Inc. dba GameTime for ABC Preschool Playground equipment installation in the amount of $130,980.77, and authorize a ten percent contingency of $13,098; and
C. Appropriate $144,078.77 from the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve to fully fund the project.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The playground design submitted by Great Western Recreation is $130,980.77. This includes the equipment and installation. Staff proposes a project contingency of ten percent or $13,098 to address unforeseen additional costs associated with the project, bringing the total proposed cost of replacing the playground equipment at the ABC’s for Me Preschool to $144,078.77. Staff recommends appropriating that amount from the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve to fully fund this project. The current balance in the Equipment and Facility Revolving Reserve is $1,298,741. If approved, the appropriation of funding for this project will reduce the reserve balance to $1,154,662.
The City of Claremont is a member of OMNIA Partners. OMNIA Partners allows access to group purchasing contracts with leading national suppliers delivering volume discounts and streamlines the procurement process for thousands of products and services. Great Western Recreation is a participating supplier under the OMNIA Partners purchasing program.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this project is estimated at $3,655. These costs are for staff time allocated to the project and are included in the operating budgets of the Community Services and Recreation and Human Services Departments.
ANALYSIS
The current ABC’s For Me Preschool playground equipment features one structure with no engaging elements. The structure is not currently available for use due to several safety issues. It does not comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act standards, nor does it meet minimum standards for licensed preschools. The play yard has several other play features that are currently available for children to utilize, which will remain. Photos of the existing playground equipment are included as Attachment A.
The proposed playground equipment features an outdoor theme with bright, engaging opportunities for play. The play structure features two slides and climbing elements. There is a crawl-through log, flower pedestals, log balance beam, music feature, and shade over the play structure. It also features bright pour-in-place flooring. Photos of the proposed playground are included as Attachment B.
Great Western Recreation is an authorized dealer of GameTime play equipment sourced through PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc. Great Western Recreation is also a member of OMNIA Partners, which allows the City to purchase playground equipment at the guaranteed lowest competitively-bid price. Utilizing OMNIA Partners pricing, the City receives a discount on material and installation costs. Great Western Recreation has a proven track record in the industry.
Great Western Recreation anticipates completion of the project by spring 2025. Following award of the contract, Great Western Recreation will order the requested equipment, which is expected to take ten to twelve weeks to arrive. The demolition and installation of the equipment and base material is expected to take four to six weeks to complete. Staff will work with ABC’s for Me Preschool to minimize impact to participants.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, the 2024-26 Budget, and the Youth and Family Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan Cari Dillman
Community Services Director Community Services Manager
Attachments:
A - Current Playground Equipment
B - Proposed Playground Equipment