Purpose
This Procedure details the specifics of the Design Phase as it relates to public Recreational Facilities managed by the Bureau of Engineering (BOE). This Procedure also identifies typical activities, issues, and deliverables required during the Design Phase to deliver 100% plans and specifications and the Ready to Advertise (RTA) Checklist.
References
Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction (Green Book) – Latest Edition
American Public Works Association – Standard Plans for Public Works Construction
Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP) Chapters 3.63 and 3.72
Responsibilities
Project Manager (PM): The PM is responsible, normally through the efforts of the Project Engineer, for the completion of the design documents within the schedule and to the satisfaction of the client. The PM is also responsible for insuring that quality assurance / quality control procedures are followed and that the project remains within the approved budget and is consistent with the concept presented in the Pre-Design Report.
Project Engineer (PE): The PE will be responsible for the preparation, coordination, updating, and revision of the design and construction documents. The PE is required to follow the procedures outlined in this Chapter to protect public health, safety, welfare, and to ensure successful completion of the project. These procedures facilitate the production of accurate, consistent, complete, and understandable final plans and specifications, to be used to initiate and complete the construction of a project. The PE is responsible for coordinating the design documents with all of the design disciplines that have contributed to the project.
Procedure
The Design Process
Recreational Facilities have become a significant part of present and future project delivery responsibilities for the BOE. The principal Client and partner in the completion of these projects is the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP). RAP maintains and operates more than 390 sites for recreational use.
The Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners (similar to our Board of Public Works), is the chief administrator of RAP. The General Manager of RAP is appointed by the Board of Recreation and Parks.
RAP establishes, operates, and maintains parks, swimming pools, public golf courses, recreation centers, museums, child care centers, youth camps, tennis courts, sports programs, and programs for senior citizens. It also supervises construction of new facilities and improvement of existing ones. RAP administers more than 15,600 acres of parkland, including Griffith Park. Griffith Park includes the Griffith Observatory with its Planetarium and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Funding Requirements for Recreational Facilities
Recreational facilities receive funding from a variety of sources; amongst these are the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), State Propositions 12 and 40, Quimby, County measures, and sometimes even private grants.
While most projects will receive a combination of funds, the majority of the funding is provided through Proposition K (Prop K).
Prop K was passed by the City of Los Angeles voters in 1996. The passage of Prop K created a 30-year citywide tax assessment which will generate $25,000,000 each year in funds for the improvement, construction, and maintenance of City parks and recreational facilities, and the acquisition of land for open space purposes.
Project Managers will need to be aware of the requirements, limitations, and timelines applicable to each of the funding sources affecting his or her project.
Things to look out for are:
Application deadlines;
Scope of work approved or acceptable by the funding source or grant;
Scheduled milestones and spending deadlines;
Reporting requirements;
Whether cash funds will be pre-deposited or on a reimbursement basis; and,
Retention and or project close-out requirements.
Typical Activities
Though the basic principles and methodology for designing recreational facilities don’t change from those described in Procedures 8.1 and 8.1.1; there are additional requirements for addressing these types of projects. Procedure 8.1.1, Design Development for Public Buildings, is most closely related to Recreational Facilities; however, the following activities must also be observed:
During the Pre-Design Phase, property acquisition and related tasks are performed by the RAP Real Estate Group.
The RAP Environmental Group has first right of refusal for providing services such as Environmental Impact Reports and CEQA clearances.
Design Phase input and oversight is provided by the City Council District Offices and the Park Advisory Boards (PAB). PABs are committees formed by volunteers and appointed by RAP with assistance from the Council District Offices. PAB recommendations are considered advisory only.
Mandatory oversight is provided by Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committees (VNOC) for Proposition K funded projects. Quorum vote approval by the committee members is necessary at a minimum of three meetings to finalize the design.
RAP requires the use of its own General Conditions as a part of the construction documents (City Attorney approval is also required).
Projects are advertised by the Board of Public Works during the Bid and Award Phase; however, the selection and award is done by the Board of Recreation and Parks.
The Board of Recreation and Parks must approve construction change orders and also provide for final project acceptance.
Typical Issues
Because of the variety of recreational facilities, it is important to understand the peculiarities of each project. Some typical issues include the following:
To improve your understanding of the daily operations and maintenance needs, request a meeting with the field and operations staff for their input during the pre-design or investigation phase.
Special expertise may be required to design exhibits, sports, or entertainment facilities.
A good rule of thumb, as with most facilities, is to design Recreational Facilities with ease of maintenance in mind.
For landscape architecture, the plant selection should not be of species so rare or exotic that they are difficult to maintain.
Building materials and accessories should be of heavy duty class and of vandal resistant design.
Deliverables
Refer to Procedure 8.1.1 “Deliverables.”
Design Plan Sheets
See Procedure 8.8 for additional information regarding plan set requirements.
RELATED PROCEDURES
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