Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-24-2008-4pORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 24, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. ¢ SUBJECT: Authorization for the Manager to Award Contracts to Expedite Repairs on the Cate Buildings at the Future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) District Park DEPARTMENT: Manager, Purchasing, ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, 245-2650 Memo: Status of Buildings at Future Twin David Stancil, 245-2590 Creeks Park & Strategy for Stabilization Tina Moon, 210-2595 PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the Manager to award contracts to expedite repairs on the Cate buildings at the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park, and to transfer needed additional funds from existing 2001 bond proceeds for this purpose. BACKGROUND: The County purchased the John Cate Farm in 2001 as part of the Twin Creeks District Park and Educational Campus. This portion of the site would be part of the future park, as per the adopted master plan, with athletic fields, play areas, rustic trails and a meadow. The property includes the former Cate farmstead--a 1927 house and seven outbuildings (the most prominent of which is a large dairy barn). The property has been land banked since acquisition pending future construction of the first phase of the park. However, the dramatic increases in materials and construction costs since 2001 have made construction of a first phase of the park impractical. During this span of time,. the buildings began to deteriorate. On February 19, 2008, the Board executed a contract with RB Engineering to prepare construction documents for the emergency stabilization of the large gambrel roof dairy barn. Construction documents have been completed and staff is ready to advertise the project to suitable contractors. However, the barn roof has recently deteriorated to the point where replacement (rather than repair) will now be needed. In addition to the need to stabilize and save the structure, the barn and farmstead buildings also have the potential to become a liability for persons wandering onto the park site upon completion of the new Morris Grove Elementary School to the north (signs noting that the site is closed have been posted). While the barn is the most pressing matter, the Cate House and other six outbuildings are also in need of some repair; and have the potential to become liability risks as well. In an effort to expedite these repairs and establish a visible presence on the site before the Morris Grove Elementary School opens, staff is requesting that the Board authorize the Manager to award contracts for repairs to the large dairy barn, the house (mainly the front porch), and surrounding outbuildings over the summer break. The scope of work is based on immediate needs with a focus on reducing (not eliminating) liability concerns. Staff will present proposals to renovate the large barn and prepare the house for caretaker or park facility use at a later date, perhaps in conjunction with park construction through future CIP's. Additional future repairs to the house and outbuildings, as well as regular maintenance needs, have also been identified and are included in the 2008-2018 CIP. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Emergency building stabilization funds were appropriated to the former farm buildings at future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) and New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm in February 2004, FY 2004-2005 and FY 2006-2007, with a total of $126,000 appropriated for the Twin Creeks buildings. To date, approximately $10,075 has been used for repairs at this property. The expected cost of the repairs to the barn (now including replacement of the roof) is approximately $157,500. To address securing the house and other outbuildings, an additional $78,000 would be needed. These funds would pay for repairs to the house porch and deteriorated sills and provide lockable doors and enclosures for the outbuildings. The total cost of all currently-needed stabilization and security repairs is estimated at $236,000. With approximately $116,000 remaining from previously appropriated funds, an additional $120,000 would be needed to accomplish this work. Since these buildings are envisioned to be part of the eventual park amenities, staff proposes to utilize up to $150,000 from the existing $1.67 million in 2001 Parks and Open Space Bond funds for Twin Creeks Park to accomplish this task. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Manager to approve contracts for emergency stabilization repairs on the Cate buildings at the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park to expedite this work during the summer months, and that up to $150,000 in funds be transferred from the existing 2001 Parks and Open Space bond to accomplish this work. 3 ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVAT[ON DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM To: David Stancil, Environment and Resource Conservation Director From: Tina Moon, Cultural Resources Specialist Date: May 25, 2008 Re: Status of Buildings at Future Twin Creeks Park & Strategy for Stabilization This memorandum and attached cost estimates outlines a strategy for immediate stabilization work at the former Cate Farm building complex, part of the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park. The first amount reflects additional costs to do the most minimal work to stabilize the large gambrel roof dairy barn. When the RB Engineering, Inc. first evaluated the large barn two years ago, the firm estimated that it would cost approximately $50,000-$75,000 to complete the most urgent repairs to save the barn. Damage to the roof has opened the interior to weather, accelerating deterioration. The roof will now have to be replaced rather than repaired, which combined with the increasing costs of materials has doubled the estimate to more that $150,000.. RB Engineering, Inc. is finishing construction documents and specifications for the barn work. The costs outlined in the following chart are based on the engineer's most recent estimates for a licensed contractor to complete these repairs, to save the barn from collapse. The house and smaller outbuildings are likewise in need of repair. All of the buildings should be structurally sound, weather proof (roof tin should be securely fastened) and, where possible, capable of being locked. In addition, the front porch floor on the Cate House needs to be repaired, a small section of sill in the back corner of the house near the bathroom needs to be replaced and the asphalt shingle roof is showing signs of deterioration. Standard maintenance is fundamental to the long-term care of county property; delaying this work will only add to the cost of the project as conditions deteriorate and construction materials become more expensive. Please note that these figures do not represent the full costs to renovate the large barn or to prepare the house for a caretaker. The scope of work is based on immediate needs to ensure the survival of the house and outbuildings for future use as part of Twin Creeks Park, and to address safety concerns for the future arrival of students at Morris Grove Elementary School. The following figures are based on estimates by local restoration specialists and RB Engineering. I would be happy to meet with a restoration specialist to confirm these estimates, and if appropriate, to arrange for the work to occur as soon as possible. It may be difficult to secure a restoration carpenter to complete these repairs this summer, if we do not make arrangements soon. Stabilization Strategy: Cate Farmstead at Twin Creeks Page 1 `"~ Existing Funding and Projected Costs for Building Stabilization at Cate Farmstead at Future Twin Creeks Park: REVENUES Appropriations to date $126,000 - (portion of appropriations in February 2004, FY 2004-05) Available Funds $115,925 EXPENDITURES Expenditures to date $10,075 - Building evaluations, construction drawings for repairs to large barn New Proposed Expenditures Immediate Stabilization Work Needed -Cost Estimates $157,500 - Barn (replace roof, replace two foundation walls & related framing, patch loft floor, replace missing lockable doors) Additional Stabilization/Security Work Needed -Cost Estimates $32,000 - Outbuildings (stabilize and secure with lockable doors) $46,000 - Cate House (repair front porch, install lockable doors, repair sill, replace roof) SUMMARY Total Funds for Immediate Stabilization and Additional Stabilization/Security $236,000 - Available Funds $115,925 - Shortfall (proposed from 2001 bond funds) $119,575 - (rounded to $120,000) Stabilization Strategy: Cate Farmstead at Twin Creeks Page 2