DATE: December 17, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Amendment to Scope of Work to the Department of Public Health for Building Improvements and Repairs Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve proposed amendment to the County of Fresno’s American Rescue Plan Act - State and Local Recovery Fund (ARPA-SLFRF) expenditure plan by amending the approved scope of work for Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project consisting of the four focus areas: restoring functionality of elevators, upgrades at Immunization Clinic Vaccine Refrigerated Room, American with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements, and Phase II reroof improvements with a budget of $2,800,000, to instead use ARPA-SLFRF to improve two focus areas: American with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements and Phase II reroof improvements with a proposed budget of up to $574,750.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will amend the County’s ARPA-SLFRF expenditure plan to accurately describe the scope of work to be funded under Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project with a reduced program budget of $574,750. Cost savings under Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project have been reassigned to address funding need in other ARPA-SLFRF Programs. This item pertains to a location in District 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the scope of work for Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project will continue to identify the restoration of elevator functionality (up to $2,116,000), upgrades at Immunization Clinic Vaccine Refrigerated Room (up to $109,250), American with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements (up to $155,000), and Phase II reroof improvements ($419,750) as deliverables of this Project. If your Board does not approve the recommended action, the existing description will not accurately reflect that the Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project will fund American with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements and Phase II reroof improvements with a budget of up to $574,750. This description would place the cost savings identified into non-allocation and non-identification making the funding unable to be utilized for other costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget Org 1033 - Disaster Claiming, Fund 0026, Subclass 91021. Any unbudgeted costs associated with the implementation of these projects that exceed the DPH allocation of SLFRF will be assessed by DPH and accounted for in future budgets.
DISCUSSION:
The Brix-Mercer Campus building was constructed in 1922 and is over 100 years old. On August 22, 2023, your Board approved DPH to use ARPA-SLFRF to fund critical and deferred building infrastructure improvements at DPH’s headquarters, Brix-Mercer Campus. The project is an enumerated Eligible Use of SLFRF under Category A, as it responds to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative impacts. The initial scope of work approved the following project deliverables:
1. Overhaul, replace, and make the upgrades necessary to maintain functionality and restore full use of the elevator cars, $2,116,000.
2. Upgrade Immunization Clinic Vaccine Refrigerated Room add new backup HVAC electrical connections to maintain continuity of operations, $109,250.
3. Complete required upgrades and improvements to public access areas, $155,000.
4. Complete Phase II of the Department of Public Health Brix-Mercer Complex Reroof Project, $419,750.
Since your Board’s approval, long lead times and challenges to bid, award, and contract the restoration functionality of elevators and planned upgrades at Immunization Clinic Vaccine Refrigerated Room, have been delayed which has impacted DPH’s ability to contract the work to meet the obligation requirements, as prescribe in the ARPA-SLFRF guidelines. During the first quarter of 2024, DPH informed the County Administrative Office (CAO) of their desire to release portions of funding provided under this project.
On May 21, 2024, your Board approved the reassignment of funding availability within the ARPA-SLFRF expenditure plan, which among several actions included DPH’s portion set aside for the restoration functionality of elevators at Brix-Mercer Campus, $2,116,000.
During the second quarter of 2024, DPH informed the CAO of its desires to release additional ARPA-SLFRF funding related to the planned upgrades at Immunization Clinic Vaccine Refrigerated Room, $109,250.
Approval of the recommended action memorialize DPH’s scope of work and actual budget for the Brix-Mercer Improvements and Repairs Project to use SLFRF under Category A, respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, by funding the following improvements:
1. Complete required upgrades and improvements to public access areas, $155,000.
DPH serves a diverse clientele. The main entrances to the BMC are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. This results in those who have certain disabilities from being able to freely access our facility to conduct business such as restaurant plan checks, birth or death certificate requests, immunization, and tuberculosis clinics. DPH is the only facility in the area that tests, treats, or takes tuberculosis patients, making this repair even more critical. These upgrades will allow for a mechanically operated door system to be installed at the main and rear entrances. Additional modifications not included in this request, but on the DPH’s radar include the installation of assistance bars in the restrooms and updated signage to include braille lettering. The dollars allocated are an estimate along with contingency of 15% to allow for potential changes or price increases.
2. Complete Phase II of the Department of Public Health Brix-Mercer Complex Reroof Project, $419,750.
The funds allocated to this project will allow the Department to fund necessary facility repairs at the BMC. During the winter seasons, the facility requires routine roofing crack or hole repairs to stop water leaks from entering the building. Portions of the roof are estimated to be over 25 years old and are in dire need of replacement. Replacement of the roof will address a capital investment need, will allow for the continued delivery of critical public services, and protect the facility from experiencing additional water damage during the wet seasons. The dollars allocated are an estimate along with contingency of 15% to allow for potential changes or price increases.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #25, May 21, 2024
BAI #47, August 9, 2022
BAI #3, February 1, 2022
CAO ANALYST:
George Uc