Title
Adopt a Resolution to Accept the Letter of Intent to Donate and Authorize the City Manager to Expend the Donated Funds in the Amount of $5,000,000 to Aid in the Replacement of the Cary Drive/Haas Avenue Pedestrian Bridge
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability and Resiliency
• Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency
SUMMARY
This action adopts a resolution to accept a donation intended to fund the replacement of the Cary Drive/Haas Avenue pedestrian bridge and appropriates funds in the amount of the donation to the reconstruction of the bridge.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the Letter of Intent (Attachment B) and the donation totaling $5,000,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and to appropriate the funds.
BACKGROUND
The Cary Drive/Haas Avenue pedestrian bridge, located over San Leandro Creek, connected two neighborhoods for 60 years and provided a path of travel for pedestrians going to Bancroft Middle School, Memorial Park, the San Leandro Main Library, and many retail businesses. In 2023, a storm event toppled three large trees that fell onto the bridge causing damages that were beyond repair.
An anonymous donor reached out to the City and offered to contribute $5,000,000 towards the reconstruction of the bridge. Accepting this donation would allow the City to commit to rebuilding the bridge sooner than later. Without this donation the City would need to either use general funds or seek outside grants to cover the cost of the project.
The funds from the donation must be spent in accordance with the Letter of Intent (Attachment B).
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved these documents and agreements as to form.
Financial Impacts
Approval of this item will accept and appropriate a $5,000,000 donation from the Cary Drive/Haas Pedestrian Bridge Association for reconstruction of the bridge utilizing steel girders, concrete deck and tubular fencing similar to the previous structure (or similar alternative design) to facilitate timely reconstruction of the bridge. Eligible uses for the donated funds include design, permitting, construction, and project administration. Preliminary estimates for the project are within the $5,000,000 donation amount. Design of the project is expected to start in Fall 2024 and construction in 2026.
The Donor intends to disburse the donation according to the following payment schedule:
A. One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) upon City Council acceptance of the letter of intent.
B. Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) fifteen (15) days before the City is scheduled to advertise the construction contract for bid.
C. Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) fifteen (15) days prior to the date the San Leandro City Council is scheduled to consider award of a contract to construct the Project.
Funds will be deposited into the 701-3803 Revenue Account and expended as follows:
• Cary Drive/Haas Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Donation, Account 210-38-904
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution to accept the letter of intent to donate
Attachment B: Letter of Intent to Donate
Attachment C: Presentation
PREPARED BY: Sheila Marquises, Director, Public Works Department