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2 <br />parking areas. Two types of turfgrids were specified. This alternate allowed <br />the contractor to make a distinction in the quality, and presumably price of <br />the. turfgrids they would propose to use. The apparent low bidder did not <br />provide a deduct alternate, however. <br />3. Metal bollards. The project includes wooden bollards. The designer added <br />these as an altemate since they may be more durable than wooden bollards <br />and can be painted to allow for different aesthetics in the park. The wooden <br />bollards are functionally acceptable however, so it would not be <br />recommended that this alternate be taken. This alternate would add $3,000. <br />4. Two level water fountain and water line. This alternate adds a second <br />water fountain to the park and is located in the general vicinity of the <br />playground. The other fountain is located in the general vicinity of the <br />shelter. Two level fountains are required for handicapped access. This <br />alternate adds $500. <br />5. Picnic Shelter planting includes approximately 40 shrubs in the general <br />vicinity of the picnic shelter. The shrubs were bid by the apparent low bidder <br />at $25 per unit, including labor to install and guarantee for one year. This <br />alternate adds $2,000. <br />If all of the alternates were taken, the apparent low bid for the project would be <br />$817,163. <br />To provide insight as to where the cost centers fall within this project, the following <br />information from the designer's cost estimation documents is offered: <br />- The majority of the project cost is clearing, grading, site utilities, erosion control <br />measures (estimated cost $310,000). <br />- Development of the playing field ($101,000, which includes $35,000 for irrigation of <br />this field only); <br />- Construction of the picnic shelter with grills, tables, etc. (est. $59,000); <br />- Construction of the lighted basketball court (est. $49,500); <br />- Development of park entrance and parking areas (est. $114,000, which includes <br />plantings, associated sidewalks, signage, etc); <br />- Development of playground area (est. $ 68,200, which includes as its primary <br />expense the rubberized play surface). <br />As referenced earlier, these numbers are derived from the designer's cost estimating <br />sheets. Obviously, the bids are higher than the cost estimates. While we have no <br />substantiated information from bidders as to why their bids are significantly higher than <br />the estimates, one may only speculate that the bids reflect factors such as the <br />continuing aggressive market in our area and price increases since the estimates were <br />provided. <br />The Board may wish to consider one of the following options: <br />1. Build the park as designed, taking all alternates, as specified and appropriate from <br />the 1997 Park Bond funds approximately $112,000 and from the County Capital <br />Reserve Fund Balance $50,000, needed to fund the project at that level; or <br />