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Madera awards rebid for James Talbot Park; staff to use impact fees to close funding gap
Summary
After a rebid and scope revisions to reduce cost, council awarded a $1,858,228.50 construction contract to Taylor Backhoe Services for James Talbot Park. Staff said development impact fees would cover an estimated $303,388 shortfall; council approved the contract unanimously.
Parks Director Joe Abare presented the rebid results and recommended awarding the construction contract for James Talbot Park to Taylor Backhoe Services of Merced, the lowest responsive bidder.
Abare explained the project is funded primarily with a $1.9 million Proposition 68 grant with a performance period through June 30, 2028. After an initial set of bids exceeded the available grant balance, staff revised the scope (including changing poured playground surfacing to engineered wood chips, adding an entry ramp and revising court surfacing) and rebid the project. The lowest responsive bid was $1,858,228.50. With an anticipated 10% construction contingency and the current encumbrances, staff estimated a funding shortfall of about $303,388.29 and recommended using development impact fees (DIF) to cover the difference.
Staff reported due diligence on the recommended contractor after an advisory request from the Foundation for Fair Contracting; city staff and the city attorney found no evidence to disqualify the bidder. Abare outlined the park amenities (half basketball court, playgrounds, picnic areas, shade elements and other features) and emphasized staff’s focus on shade and safety.
Council approved the award and the related budget amendment to use DIF to cover the shortfall. Staff said any unused contingency funds would be returned to the DIF fund.
