HomeMy WebLinkAbout07- Economic Development Agency DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ItEouoT FOR COMMISSION/COUNCIL ACTION
FROM: KENNETH J.HENDERSON SUBJECT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING,
Executive Director EVALUATION,AND
TREATMENT--SUPERBLOCK
DATE: April 27, 1994
$moms'-of Previous Co ission/ oun it/Committee Action(s):
On November 2, 1993,the Community Development Commission approved a proposal to the State of California for
the design and construction of the State Consolidated Offices and CalTrans Building on the SUPERBLOCK
Recommended Motion(s):
(Community Development Commission)
MOTION: That the Community Development Commission authorize the Executive Director to draft and execute
a contract with Statistical Research,Incorporated for an amount not to exceed$450,512 for
archaeological testing,evaluation,and treatment for the construction of the State Consolidated Offices
and Caltrans Building on the SUPERBLOCK and allocate fonds for same,with the understanding that
such funds will be reimbursed by the State of California as a cost to this project. Further,that staff be
authorized to administer and execute change orders limited to the amount of the contingency
($45,000).
Administrator KENNETH J.HEN ERSON
Executive Director
Contact Person(s): Kenneth r Headm2a avid 7 Norman Phone: 5081
Project Area(s): Central City-North Ward(s): One (1)
Supporting Data Attached: Staff Repot:
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: NTE$495.512 Source: Bond Proceeds
Budget Authority: Requested
Comml lion/ o tnc l Note
DN:sprblkl.cdc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MEETING DATE: 05/02/1994
Agenda Item Number: 2
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING EVALUATION.
AND TREATMENT -- SIiPERBLOCK
This staff report seeks funding for archaeological testing, evaluation, and treatment on the
western two-thirds (2/3)of the Superblock site.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The development of the Superblock may create several possible environmental impacts. These
possible impacts have been identified through the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA)
initial study. As a result, it has been determined that buried cultural resources may be uncovered
during the construction of the State Consolidated Offices and Caltrans building on the western
two-thirds (2/3) of the Superblock.
Late last year, a cultural resources survey of the site was prepared. The survey identified
several possible sites of historical interest which will require mitigation before construction can
begin. With construction scheduled for mid-October of this year, it is necessary to immediately
begin the process of testing evaluating and mitigating any buried cultural historical resources
(artifacts) that may be found on the site.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-S
On April 6, 1994, staff advertised a request for qualifications/proposals for the evaluation and
treatment of historical archaeological resources. Advertisements were placed in THE SUN,
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES,THE L. A. WATTS TIMES, and other local minority
newspapers. In addition, staff contacted archaeologists who were recommended by the San
Bernardino County Museum.
On April 12, 1994 staff conducted a mandatory walk-through with six (6)firms interested in
responding to the requests for qualifications/proposals (RFQ/P). Of those six firms which
attended the walk-through,three (3)firm submitted responses. One of the three firms was
found to be nonresponsive due to the lack of required information.
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DN:sprblkl.cdc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MEETING DATE: 05/02/1994
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Agenda Item Number:
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT
Archaeological Testing Evaluation, and Treatment-- Superblock
April 27, 1994
Page 2
REVIEW OF PROPOSAI S
The initial study for the Superblock Environmental Impact Report (EIR)recommended specific
measures for the mitigation of cultural resources. One of those mitigation measures called for a
peer review team to be selected to review and validate the testing and evaluation design prior to
its implementation by the archaeological consultant. As part of their response to the RFQ/P,
consultants were asked to provide a summary of their proposed testing and evaluation design.
With the help of a qualified archaeological consultant to work as an extension of staff, EDA staff
formed a review committee for the purpose of reviewing the proposals,the research design, and
serving as a mediator to assist with any possible disagreements as to the significance of cultural
resources found. This review committee consists of:
Ms. Margie Akin,Ph.D.,Department of Anthropology, California State University, San
Bernardino;
Andrea Urbas,M.A., Curator of History, San Bernardino County Museum; and
Ms. Paula Sutton,M.S.,Archaeologist Caltrans District 08.
Two responsive proposals were submitted: Archaeological Consulting Services of Lytle Creek,
California and the other by Statistical Research,Incorporated(SRI)of Redlands, California.
The review committee, after fully reviewing the qualifications and testing and evaluation
methodologies, found Statistical Research, Incorporated clearly the more qualified firm of the
two, and the most qualified team to work on this project.
Statistical Research has an excellent reputation as a firm which can facilitate archaeology within
tight thneframes and under restrictive circumstances. They have worked on similar "ground
zero" urban archaeological projects, including the original town site of Tucson,Arizona which
became the site of the Pima County Public Works Center and the YMCA Parking Garage
Complex. This particular project in Pima County is very similar to the Superblock in that a
large downtown block in an historically sensitive area was tested and excavated within a six (6)
month period for the construction of a high-profile public project.
As a member of SRI's archaeological team, Greenwood and Associates has undertaken
archaeological investigations in support of the Los Angeles Metro Redline. Although the
construction site was the setting of the first Los Angeles China Town and yielded an
unprecedented quantity of artifacts, the construction contractors were never held up,delayed, or
impeded by the archaeologist.
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DNsprbikl.cdc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MEETING DATE: 05/02/199974
Agenda Item Number: /
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT ✓
Archaeological Testing Evaluation, and Treatment--Superblock
April 27, 1994
Page 2
These are but a few of the examples of SRI's ability to complete work in a timely fashion. SRI's
proposal exceeds the State mandated minority,women,and disabled veterans owned business
subcontracting requirements of fifteen percent(15%),five percent(5%), and three percent (3%)
respectively.
RECOMMENDATION
Cost proposals for this project were received in a range of$344,900 - $793,184. Staff has
negotiated a contract with Statistical Research,Incorporated for an amount not to exceed
$450,512. However, Statistical Research,Incorporated is working from historical records and
data which showed the possibility of existing subsurface historical resources. Some of the early
structures may or may not be found in their original condition. It is possible that structures and
artifacts not previously anticipated or exhibited in the historical record could also be found. As
the Agency would expect a change order for unforeseen conditions in any construction project,.
the Agency must be flexible to account for unforeseen historical/cultural resources that may
appear during testing and evaluation. Staff will take every opportunity to negotiate with the
archaeologist to work on representative sampling and limited field review while still retaining
and enhancing the integrity of the historical record. With this in mind, staff is asking for a
contingency in the amount of$45,000 (10%)in the event that unforeseen artifacts and conditions
which enhance the historical record are found. Staff also seeks authority to administer the
contingency budget as needed up to the amount of the contingency.
Staff recommends adoption of the form motion.
l.IC7
KENNETH J. H NDERSON,Executive Director
Development Department
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MEETING DATE: 05/02/1994
Agenda Item Number: 9