REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BLOOMINGTON RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 7, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Finding and Plans and Specifications for the Kessler Park Dream Field Project in the Bloomington Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of Bloomington Recreation and Park District:
1. Find that the Kessler Park Dream Field Project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15302(b), Class 2 (Replacement and Reconstruction).
2. Approve the Kessler Park Dream Field Project, as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the Kessler Park Dream Field Project.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to advertise the Kessler Park Dream Field Project for competitive bids.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated cost of this project is approximately $2.3 million. The Kessler Park Dream Field Project (Project) was initially funded through a $2.3 million allocation from the Fifth District’s Priorities Program budget and was approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (Board) on March 28, 2023 (Item No. 64). On July 25, 2023 (Item No. 70), the Board approved a decrease in funding from $2.3 million to $350,000 for the Project. Additional funding for this Project will be included in a future Board item when the construction contract is awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Bloomington Recreation and Park District (District) was established by an act of the Board on July 19, 1972. The District maintains two community parks (Ayala Park and Kessler Park), an equestrian arena, sports fields, and a community center that offers various recreational activities for the community of Bloomington.
Kessler Park is the home field of the Bloomington Little League. The park was originally constructed in 2006, and two additional fields were subsequently added in 2016. The Project consists of demolishing, replacing and upgrading the existing baseball field with synthetic turf, improved dugouts, new bleachers with shade, a scoring/announcing stand and a new electronic scoreboard for Ballfield No. 2. The overall design intent is to bring a “big league” theme and feel to a Little League facility, making it a “Dream Field.” The ballfield dimensions and proportions will remain consistent with the existing Little League layout and standards. With these improvements, Kessler Park will be able to host regional tournaments and events and provide for a more enhanced experience for recreational opportunities for the betterment of the Bloomington community through youth sports.
Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) staff reviewed the Project and determined that a categorical exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15302(b), Class 2 is appropriate. The Class 2 exemption allows for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. When the Board considers the environmental finding, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Projects' plans and
specifications and authorization to advertise for bids. To encourage finishing the Project ahead of schedule, the plans and specifications offer an incentive of extra compensation for early completion. Pursuant to Government Code section 53069.85, the plans and specifications provide for an additional $2,500 per calendar day available for each day the Project is completed earlier than the specified deadline, for a maximum of 14 days. The total extra compensation for early Project completion cannot exceed $35,000.
The Project aligns with the District and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable County by preserving and improving community park facilities that provide for the recreational opportunities and experiences for the community.
PROCUREMENT
Upon approval of this item, the Project will be advertised in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in July 2024 with a recommendation for award of the Project’s construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455)
on April 26, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on April 18, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 22, 2024.