Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $520,514 contract to rebuild downtown park spray ground
Summary
The council awarded contract 25B168 to California Waters to replace the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the downtown park spray ground after the original contractor defaulted; work is expected to take 90 working days and is funded from Measure J, Quimby and existing budget funds.
The Palm Springs City Council on June 25 approved construction contract 25B168 with California Waters for $520,514.75 to fully replace the downtown park spray ground system.
David McAfee, the city's director of public works, told the council the spray ground is presently nonfunctional and requires demolition and replacement of pumps, filters, chemical-feed and storage, electrical and plumbing systems, controls, and final commissioning. "The proposed contract allows 90 working days for project completion," McAfee said, adding the agreement includes liquidated damages for late completion.
The item matters to residents because the downtown spray ground is the only immediate water-play facility available in the city; council members described strong public demand for water features and noted older park features elsewhere had been removed. McAfee said the city obtained plans from Aquatic Studio Incorporated and solicited bids on May 5; the apparent low bidder was nonresponsive and California Waters's bid matched third-party cost estimates and current market conditions.
Council members pressed staff on prior project history and warranty terms. McAfee said the original contractor, Fastrack Construction Corporation, abandoned the larger park contract in 2022; the surety finished the bulk of the park work but the spray ground remains defective and requires this separate contract. Staff said funding is available from remaining Measure J and Quimby accounts and pledged to negotiate any longer warranties as part of contract talks. The contract includes a standard one-year materials and workmanship warranty; additional warranty periods would require negotiations and might change the contract amount.
The council voted to approve the contract; staff will issue a notice to proceed, monitor progress, and report on commissioning. Next steps include contractor mobilization, installation, and final health-department approvals prior to reopening the spray ground to the public.
