DATE: October 12, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AWARDING CONTRACT NO. 2021-08 TO LARISON CONTRACTING CORP. IN THE AMOUNT OF $531,995 FOR THE SAN DIEGO BAY NATIVE OYSTER LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT, CHULA VISTA, CA, AS AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD IN THE FY 2022 EQUIPMENT OUTLAY AND OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS APPROPRIATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff recommends that the San Diego Unified Port District (District) Board of Port Commissioners (Board) approve the plans and specifications and authorize the award of an Equipment Outlay and Other Capital Projects construction contract to Larison Contracting Corp. in the amount of $531,995 for the installation of reef ball elements for the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project, Chula Vista, CA. The San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Restoration Project is the first of its kind in the Bay. Creating a living shoreline that utilizes native oyster reef ball elements to provide multiple ecosystem benefits while increasing the resiliency of the adjacent coastal salt marsh against projected climate change impacts. Ecosystem benefits also include providing habitat value, improved water quality, restoring natural estuarine habitat, and protecting shorelines from erosion, the flooding effects of storms, and sea level rise. This grant funded project involves the installation of 360 oyster reef balls within six treatment areas in south San Diego Bay along the eastern portion of the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve's northern shoreline.
The three phases of the living shoreline project, including fabrication, installation, and long-term monitoring of the living shoreline, are funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program through an award to the California Coastal Conservancy, with the District as a sub awardee, in the amount of $890,000 (BPC Resolution No. 2021-0183) and from Port Restricted Funds in the amount of $49,900.
On August 30, 2021 the District received four bids ranging from $531,995 to $934,400. The lowest responsive and responsible bid was submitted by Larison Contracting Corp. in the amount of $531,995. Award to this bidder is recommended.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution approving plans and specifications and awarding Contract No. 2021-08 to Larison Contracting Corp. in the amount of $531,995 for the installation of the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project, as authorized by the Board in the FY 2022 Equipment Outlay and Other Capital Projects appropriation.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program through an award to the California Coastal Conservancy in the amount of $890,000 (BPC Resolution No. 2021-0183) and from Port Restricted Funds in the amount of $49,900.
This project is included in the FY 2022 Other Capital and Equipment Outlay Appropriation budget. An amount of $904,900 has been allocated in the FY 2022 Equipment Outlay and Other Capital Projects appropriation for fabrication, design, and installation of the reef ball elements as well as long-term monitoring.
Approval of this agenda will authorize the expenditure of $531,995 of the approved amount for installation of the reef ball elements from the Equipment Outlay and Other Capital Projects appropriation.
Compass Strategic Goals:
This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
DISCUSSION:
On May 11, 2021, the Board approved Resolution 2021-0183 authorizing an agreement with the California Coastal Conservancy to accept $890,000 in grant funding for the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project. The San Diego Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project is the first of its kind in the Bay. Creation of a living shoreline that utilizes native oyster reef components will provide multiple ecosystem benefits while also increasing the resiliency of the adjacent coastal salt marsh against projected climate change impacts. Ecosystem benefits also include providing habitat value, improved water quality, restoring natural estuarine habitat, and protecting shorelines from erosion, flooding effects of storms, and sea level rise. This grant funded project consists of three phases which include the fabrication, installation, and long-term monitoring of 360 concrete oyster reef balls within six treatment areas in south San Diego Bay along the eastern portion of the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve's northern shoreline.
This contract work will include the installation of 360 concrete oyster reef balls along the eastern portion of the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve’s northern shoreline.
The Contract Documents including plans CV-2021-02 and specifications 2021-08 were issued for advertisement on July 30, 2021. On August 30, 2021, the District received four bids ranging from $$531,995 to $934,400. The bid amounts are as shown in the table below:
Based on a review of the bids, the lowest responsive and responsible bid was determined to be submitted by Larison Contracting Corp. in the amount of $531,995. The engineer’s construction cost estimate was $630,000.
Upon Board authorization, construction is expected to commence in November 2021 and be completed in January 2022.
Staff recommends that the Board approve the plans and specifications and award Contract No. 2021-08 to Larison Contracting Corp., in the amount of $531,995 for the installation of the reef ball elements of the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed and approved this agenda and resolution, as presented, as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
The proposed Board actions to enter into an agreement with the California Coastal Conservancy to accept grant funds for the construction and monitoring of a native oyster living shoreline pilot project was adequately covered in the Exemption prepared by the District on December 8, 2020. The proposed Board action is not a separate “project’ for CEQA purposes but is a subsequent discretionary approval related to a previously approved project. (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(c); Van de Kamps Coalition v. Board of Trustees of Los Angeles Comm. College Dist. (2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 1036.) The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2). No further action under CEQA is required.
In addition, the proposed Board action complies with Section 87 of the Port Act, which allows for the establishment and maintenance of tidal and submerged lands for open space, ecological preservation, and habitat restoration. The Port Act was enacted by the California Legislature and is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine. Consequently, the proposed Board action is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine.
Finally, the project was covered in the CDP No. 2021-03 approved by the District on March 9, 2021. The proposed Board actions are consistent with the project in that CDP. No additional action under the California Coastal Act is required at this time.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program:
No direct DEI impact.
PREPARED BY:
Devon Beach
Senior Engineer, Engineering-Construction
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Location Map - Specification 2021-08 San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline
Attachment B: Bid Tabulation - Specification 2021-08 San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline