To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Breyana Brandt, Parks & Recreation Director; Julie Lucido, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Ali Koenig, Management Analyst II; James Connaughton, Associate Civil Engineer
TITLE:
Title
Alston Park Restroom Project and Opportunity to Enhance Trail Improvements
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution (1) authorizing the Public Works Director to approve additional change orders up to $56,000 (for a total change order and project services amount up to $158,678.34) on the Alston Park Restroom Project, for a total project amount not to exceed $590,461.75; and (2) determining that the actions authorized by this resolution are exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The recommended action would increase the change order authorization for the Alston Park Restroom Project by $56,000, for a total project amount up to $590,461.75. This increase would allow the City of Napa to enhance trail improvements that are part of the existing project scope at the entrance of the park. The existing project scope includes rough grading and drainage improvements at the pathway connection from the main parking lot leading up to the main park area, and installation of a 2-inch thick layer of clean ½-inch gravel that is smooth rolled and compacted.
This recommended action would result in the installation of 1 ½ inches of decomposed granite (DG) over top the previously approved gravel to provide additional durability in trail improvements. Benefits include a smooth and stable surface given DGs fine, sandy texture and ability to compact, minimizing unevenness and loose footing often associated with gravel paths. Additionally, DG is environmentally-friendly and permeable allowing water to filter through the surface, and will be specified to match the colors of the existing natural aesthetic of the park.
These proposed trail enhancements would be funded by the Alston Park Trust Fund, which was created by the estate of Frances E. Dawson and is managed by the Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF). The intent of the endowment is an emphasis on the maintenance of trails and culverts, as well as the installation and maintenance of benches throughout Alston Park. The City of Napa receives a grant distribution annually to make improvements at the park. As described in previous fundings requests to NVCF, the City has prepared the account to create capacity to perform a large-scale drainage and trail improvement project in the park. Given that this account receives annual contributions from NVCF, this account will continue to remain available for future maintenance and improvements to park drainage, trails, culverts and benches throughout Alston Park.
The area where this work will be performed experiences poor drainage as well as erosion from the heavy foot traffic at the main park entrance given high attendance by the community. Park attendance is expected to increase following the restroom project completion. These comprehensive entry trail improvements will be completed by the contractor constructing the Alston Park Restroom Project. These proposed enhancements provide long-term benefits to the park and will be timely ahead of the upcoming winter months.
This recommended action will not extend the project schedule. The overall project is anticipated to be completed by October 2025. Project updates will continue to be provided to the community.
Project Background
The Alston Park Restroom Project is replacing the existing temporary portable restrooms at Alston Park with a permanent public restroom connected to utility services. The location of the new restroom is at the southern entrance of Alston Park (Council authorized Capital Improvement Program project #PK18PR02). The project is prioritized for health and safety as the existing temporary restroom facilities are not deemed adequate for the increasingly heavy public use. Alston Park is the second most visited park out of 54 City parks with almost 100,000 visits annually. Permanent restrooms that are connected to water and sewer will ensure that there are adequate facilities and capacity for all Alston Park public uses.
The project scope also includes ADA access to the restroom area, parking lot repaving, and natural trail improvements leading up to the larger area of the park. The new permanent public restroom will be a concrete restroom with two separate single-user, fully accessible flush restrooms that can withstand elements and is vandal resistant. Funding for the public restroom related improvements will be provided by the previously authorized budget allocation for CIP project #PK18PR02. Funding for the nature trail improvements will be provided by the City’s existing Alston Park Trust Fund, which can be utilized for trail, drainage and bench improvements.
Staff publicly bid the Project during the month of December 2024. On January 22, 2025, eight (8) formal bids for construction were received. The City Council awarded the construction contract to Dutch Contracting, Inc. on February 18, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Upon approval of this resolution, the maximum change order amount would increase by $56,000. There are sufficient funds within the Alston Park Trust fund for the proposed change order work.
CEQA:
City staff recommend that the City Council determine that the Recommended Actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structure).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
NOTIFICATION:
None.