TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Robin Kampmann, City Engineer
SUBJECT:
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Award of Construction Contract for the Red Bluff River Park Rehabilitation Project, Splash Park
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
recommendation
1) Award the construction contract for the Red Bluff River Park Rehabilitation Project to SnL Group in the amount of $2,498,998.00; and
2) Approve a Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $410,000.00 for 71Grant Fund 71 River Park Grant Department; and
3) Give direction to staff if the efforts to secure additional grant funds fail to either:
a) Fund the remainder by looking at other public financing or private loan options to find the best loan terms for the City to fund the remaining $410,000 not covered by the grant, paid by the General Fund, or
b) Transfers funds from the General Fund to cover the additional costs and approve a $410,000 budgetary increase in transfers in 71 Grants Fund and transfers out in fund 10 General Fund
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SUMMARY:
The River Park Rehabilitation Splash Pad Project is located at the existing 5.8-acre Red Bluff River Park, adjacent to the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, California. The rehabilitation project will incorporate four new pickleball courts with associated seating and lighting, a new amphitheater, a new spray park with a splash pad, a new restroom/concession facility, a renovation of an existing playground surfacing, access, and a renovation of existing pathways, landscaping, parking, and lighting throughout the existing park. A majority of the project is funded by a $3 million grant through the Rural Recreation and Tourism Program funded by State Proposition 68.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On August 1, 2026, the City Council received information regarding the status of the River Park Splash Pad and Rehabilitation Project and provided direction to staff to bring the project back to the next council meeting for award with alternative funding options.
On February 17, 2026, City Council rejected all bids received for the Construction of the Red Bluff River Park Rehabilitation Project, Splash Park, and authorized staff to work with the Project Design Team to reduce the scope of this phase of the project to keep it within the available budget, while still achieving the design elements that were included within the grant application, and to re-advertise for construction proposals.
On September 2, 2025, City Council authorized and approved advertisement of RFP’s for the Construction River Park Rehabilitation Project and authorized staff to pre-purchase certain elements with long lead times.
On April 12, 2023, City Council authorized and approved the award of the contract for Landscape Architect and Engineering Design Services for the River Park Rehabilitation Project to Melton Design Group, Inc.
On February 7, 2023, the City Council approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Landscape Architect and Engineering Design Services for the Red Bluff River Park Rehabilitation Project and authorized staff to advertise the RFP.
DISCUSSION:
The River Park Rehabilitation Splash Pad Project will involve the rehabilitation of the existing 5.8-acre Red Bluff River Park located adjacent to the Sacramento River in Red Bluff California. The rehabilitation project will incorporate four new pickleball courts with associated seating and lighting, a new amphitheater, a new spray park with a splash pad, a new restroom/concession facility, a renovation of an existing playground surfacing, access, and a renovation of existing pathways, landscaping, parking, and lighting throughout the existing park.
The City of Red Bluff received a $3 million grant through the Rural Recreation and Tourism Program funded by State Proposition 68 for this project. Some of these funds have already been utilized for the design portion as provided, and attached, by Melton Design Group.
Staff received 3 bids for the proposed construction project:
|
PROJECT NAME: |
River Park Rehabilitation Splash Pad Project |
|
|
Company |
City |
Proposal Amount |
|
1 |
SnL Group, Inc. |
Redding |
$2,498,998.00 |
|
2 |
R&R Horn, Inc. |
Chico |
$2,534,965.05 |
|
3 |
Allen Gill Construction, Inc. |
Palo Cedro |
$3,173,374.00 |
The low bid for the project was received from SnL Group, Inc. at a cost of $2,498,998.00. Staff has reviewed SnL Group, Inc.’s bid submittal and have found it Responsive and Responsible.
The total amount of funding received for the project from the Rural Recreation and Tourism Program funded by State Proposition 68 grant is in the amount of $3,000,000. From the awarded $3,000,000 grant, $1,205,852 is already allocated for the design portion and pre-purchase elements such as the restroom structure and certain water-play elements. Combining the lowest bid with the already allocated funds provides an over-budget amount of $704,850.
To reduce the amount not covered by available grant funding, $200,000 of Storm Drain Impact Fees can be used for the installation of the State MS4-required stormwater trash collection devices and associated storm improvements. In addition, Soroptimist International of Red Bluff has graciously committed funding in the amount of $95,000 to the project to fund the Butterfly Shade Structure, the fabrication of the “Big Splash” entry sign, and Mosaic Tile Murals for the entry. Unfortunately, even with these allocations and donations, the project is still over budget by $410,000.
As discussed at the last council meeting, staff is actively applying for additional grant funds to cover the project budget shortfall, but grant funding is not a guarantee. The remaining project cost can either be funded from the General Fund reserves or through a loan, either private or public.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Council elects to fund the remaining project cost not covered by grant funding from the General Fund, a transfer of $410,000 from Fund 10 General Fund into Fund 71 Grants Fund will be necessary to complete the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. River Park Splash Pad Bid Proposals
2. Soroptimist International of Red Bluff Funding Commitment Letter