Baldwin Park reports 10-day delay and $64,000 in change orders for Barnes Park project

Baldwin Park city staff delivered an update to the City Council Wednesday on the Barnes Park renovation project, saying the contractor has finished mobilization, the underground infiltration system and most of the electrical work and that the project is roughly halfway complete.

Romani, the staff presenter, told the council the contractor has completed mobilization and the underground infiltration system and that “most of the electrical work has been completed.” Over the next two months, Romani said the contractor will install a stone drain pipe system and fences around the soccer field, dog park and play courts.

The project schedule has slipped by about 10 days because of rain. Romani said the original estimated completion date was Nov. 7 of this year; the revised estimated completion date is Nov. 20, representing roughly a 10-day delay.

On budget, Romani reported the city has paid the contractor about $8,554,000, which he said is about 50% of the total project cost. He said the team has issued two construction change orders of about $32,000 each (a total of $64,000) and one change order to the design team. Romani described the two construction change orders as covering increased tree quantities and additional linear feet of underground water line; he characterized the two construction change orders together as using a small share of the project contingency.

Council members pressed for detail about the trees added in the change order. Romani said the change order adds 31 trees, each about 12-inch diameter or smaller, and he told the council those trees “will probably not provide shade” for several years. Council members asked staff to consider returning to the council later with options to buy larger, more mature trees if project contingency remains or if external grant funding can be used for larger specimens.

Romani also said a redesign of the futsal court is nearly finished and expected to be finalized within one to two weeks. Staff said the project uses a line-item bid schedule, which makes it easier to track costs for items such as trees, unlike lump-sum contracts used on other projects.

Council members asked staff to return with more detailed documentation — including the final planting list, photos and any grant options — before authorizing additional change orders or purchases.

The report was presented orally during the council’s staff reports and updates portion of the March 5 meeting.