TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Dale S. Sugerman, Ph.D., Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: June 20, 2017
Title
SERVICE AUTHORIZATION NO. 12-08 WITH CURRIE SOWARDS AGUILA ARCHITECTS, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE SKID MOUNTED LIFEGUARD TOWERS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve Service Authorization No.12-08 with Currie Sowards Aguila Architects, Incorporated for professional architectural services for the new skid mounted lifeguard towers (Project #17-093) in an amount not-to-exceed $24,500.00.
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Background:
The Agreement with Currie Sowards Aguila is valid through May 23, 2020. The City of Delray Beach Municipal Beach had approximately 2 million visitors during 2016 with the lifeguard staff rescuing over 100 bathers. The lifeguard towers are staffed seven days a week 8 hours a day. These towers provide a safe environment for our lifeguards from the elements, as well as provide a bird’s eye view of the terrain that they oversee. In order for Ocean Rescue staff to continue keeping bathers safe it is necessary to replace all eight towers.
Many of the towers are in various stages of disrepair and have become a safety hazard for Ocean Rescue personnel. Splitting wood, rusting hardware, salt damaged surfaces and a reoccurring issue with vandalism are just a few of the maintenance challenges; upkeep costs continue to escalate.
Eight skid mounted lifeguard towers are proposed in lieu of overhauling the eight that are fixed in place, supported on pilings. Each beach renourishment project adds significant width to the beach creating visibility problems for the lifeguards.
The skid mounted design will allow Ocean Rescue staff to monitor patrons from a reasonable distance not allowed by the current towers. The position of the new towers can be adjusted as needed; in addition all eight can be relocated further onshore prior to a storm event. Additionally skid mounted towers can be permitted for construction locally. The units are not permanently mounted so they are not subjected to the lengthy State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection permitting process.
The architect will review current code requirements, reuse and update an existing wood skid design, prepare and submit new construction documents for permitting and construction. The fee submitted by Currie Sowards Aguila, Inc. for this task is a not-to-exceed amount of $24,500.00.
This recommendation complies with the City Code of Ordinances, Section 36 and City Policies and Procedures.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Finance Department Review:
Finance recommends approval.
Funding Source:
Funding is available from account number 001-2911-519.31-30 (General Fund: Engineering/Architect). Funds will be transferred from the Manager's Contingency.
Timing of Request:
This is a time sensitive item. The towers are in various stages of disrepair and have become a safety hazard for Ocean Rescue personnel.