ITEM TITLE:
Meals Hill Master Plan Huddle contract recommendation
SUBMITTED BY: Nicholas Farline, PRCS Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend the contract for Huddle AK for City Council Approval
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Summary:
• Huddle AK Meals Hill Master Plan contract to be recommended to City Council for approval in the amount of $287,924.00
• City of Valdez (COV) is acting in a pass through capacity for the funds from Great Land Trust (GTL) in order to manage the contract, scope and book the improvement to the asset Meals Hill property
• GTL received federal funds in the amount of $900,000 for the sole purpose of planning and enhancements on COV Meals Hill property
• COV and GTL have an agreement in place that GTL will reimburse COV for agreed upon services performed by contractors in accordance to GTL requirements in meeting their distribution of federal funds
Background:
• The City of Valdez was presented with the opportunity to take title to the Meals Hill property, comprising approximately 184 acres and located within the City Limits
• On October 3rd, 2017, the City Council of Valdez passed resolution 17-42, which stated the City Council’s support for the acquisition and permanent protection of the peals Hill Property, recognizing that permanent protection of the property would result in habitat, recreation, and tourism to the City of Valdez
• City of Valdez recorded on 11/4/2019 for the property
• Property contains excellent habitat for species injured by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) and its protection would contribute to Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOSTC) goals, including habitat protection and establishment of recreational properties
• Great Land Trust (GLT), an Alaskan non-profit organization that works throughout South Central Alaska to conserve lands and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of Alaskan communities, recognized the high-value habitat and recreational benefits associated with the property and pursued funding to purchase it for conservation
• Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Director Nicholas Farline posted a Request for Qualifications on 2/5/2020 for a Meals Hill Master Plan. City of Valdez (COV) received two bids, Huddle LLC and Corvus. PRCS Director reviewed these two submissions, scored each and with both scoring so closely an interview was scheduled on 4/2/2020 to better inform a selection. Both contractors were given a set of interview questions, instructions to be prepared for an online presentation, and be available for questions from the interview panel.
Interview Panel composition:
Nicholas Farline- City of Valdez Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director
Brian Carlson- City of Valdez Finance Director
Sheri Pierce- City of Valdez City Clerk
Roxanne Murphy- City of Valdez Assistant City Manager
Marcie Robertson- City of Valdez Parks Maintenance Supervisor
Pete Carter- City of Valdez Parks & Recreation Commission member
• After the interview PRCS Director solicited feedback on whom, based on the interview, each of the panel members would recommend. The feedback was in favor of Huddle 4-1 (Nicholas Farline did not vote).
• It was determined that Huddle had the right mix of trail development experience, along with their sub-consultants, the qualifications were better suited to a project such as Meals Hill. Their availability and ability to work within the stated timeframe was determined to be acceptable.
Recommendation:
• Approve contract with Huddle AK in the amount of $287,925 for a Master Meals Hill Master pan
• Scope of work includes that Huddle AK, will provide a Meals Hill Master Plan for COV that includes vision/project purpose, project priorities, strategies for implementation, and concept-level design (25% drawings) for the identified improvements. The plan will consider how Meals Hill fits within the existing P&R system in Valdez. It will provide guidance for new facility development that will be sustainable for the COV to build, operate, and maintain. Finally, the plan will ensure adherence to the conservation easement, local public access to parks and trails while considering how Meals Hill can enhance the Valdez visitor experience and diversify the local economy.
• Huddle AK will guide the final Meals Hill Master Plan through the formal adoption process, including review and recommendation by the project management team, presentations of the draft recommendations and final Meals Hill Plan to the staff, steering committee, public, and Council.
• Attachment- Professional Services Agreement
• Attachment- MealsHillSOW