HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12; City Council; 05; Increase to City Manager or Designee’s Authority to Approve Change Orders for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project and Appropriate Additional FundingCA Review TL
Meeting Date: May 12, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Steven Stewart, Municipal Projects Manager
steven.stewart@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2938
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
kyle.lancaster@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2941
Subject: Increase to City Manager or Designee’s Authority to Approve Change
Orders for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project
and Appropriate Additional Funding
District: 1
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution authorizing an increase to the City Manager or designee’s change order
approval authority and appropriation of additional funding for the Monroe Street Pool
Renovation and Replacement Project.
Executive Summary
Carlsbad voters approved Measure J in November 2022, which authorized the city to spend up
to $24 million in city funds, adjusted annually based on the regional construction cost index, to
renovate and replace the aging Monroe Street Pool facility.
The City Council then awarded the construction contract for the Monroe Street Pool
Renovation and Replacement Project to Edwards Construction Group, Inc. on Jan. 14, 2025, in
an amount not to exceed $14,126,653. The City Council also authorized the City Manager to
approve construction change orders associated with the pool replacement of up to $1,695,198,
for a total potential construction contract cost of $15,821,851, well below the voter-approved
spending cap of $24 million.
During construction, which began in March 2025, the contractor uncovered unexpected and
substantial termite and wood rot damage to the roof structure of the pool’s administrative
building, which required a complete replacement of the structure. Much of the project’s
contingency funds went into this and similar unforeseen and unanticipated construction costs.
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As such, to complete the project by the target date of late summer/early fall 2026, staff are
requesting that the City Council authorize an additional appropriation of $800,000 to the
project budget and increase the City Manager’s authority to approve construction change
orders in an amount not to exceed an additional $800,000 for a total change order authority of
$2,495,198.
Staff do not anticipate any new issues given the status of the construction. However, if an issue
arises, this money can be used to cover costs so the opening date of the pool will remain on
schedule.
Explanation & Analysis
Background
In 2022, the city found that given its age and use, the Monroe Street Pool, at 3401 Monroe St.,
needed significant renovation and expansion. Because the remodeling work would cost more
than $1 million in general city funds to complete, the proposed work and associated costs
needed to first be approved by Carlsbad voters. In November 2022, voters approved Measure J,
which authorized the city to spend up to $24 million in city funds, adjusted annually based on
the regional construction cost index, to replace and expand the aging pool.
Following an exhaustive construction bidding process, the City Council awarded the contract for
the project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4724, to Edwards Construction Group,
Inc. in an amount not to exceed $14,126,653 on Jan. 14, 2025. A total of $1,695,198 in
additional contingency was included in the budget to cover construction change orders, for a
total potential project cost of $15,821,851, well below the $24 million cap imposed by voters.
Because the total construction cost was less than the appropriated amount, the City Manager
returned $1,402,074 in excess appropriations from the project budget back to the General
Capital Construction, Infrastructure Replacement and Park-In-Lieu Fees Northwest Quadrant
funding sources.
Requested additional funds
Construction work for the Monroe Street Pool facility started on March 31, 2025, with an
anticipated completion date in summer 2026. During the course of construction, however,
previously unforeseen conditions were encountered, resulting in unanticipated costs and work
delays. The most significant cost impact was due to substantial termite and wood rot damage
found in the roof structure of the pool’s administrative building, which needed to be
completely replaced. Another cost arose when the existing water service to the site was found
to be insufficient to support the new pool, showers and restrooms, which required the
unplanned replacement of that infrastructure. Yet another unanticipated cost was due to
asbestos-containing irrigation pipes which required abatement.
To complete the project by the late summer/early fall target date, staff are requesting that the
City Council authorize an additional appropriation of $800,000. Staff are also requesting that
the City Council authorize an increase in the City Manager’s authority to approve construction
change orders for the project up to an additional $800,000 for a total change order authority of
$2,495,198 to fund the unanticipated additional costs and maintain the established project
schedule.
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Staff do not anticipate any new issues arising given the status of the project. However, if an
issue arises, this money can be used so the opening date of the pool will remain on schedule.
Fiscal Analysis
When the contract was awarded, the City Manager returned excess appropriations in the
amount of $1,402,074 to the General Capital Construction, Infrastructure Replacement, and
Park-In-Lieu Fees Northwest Quadrant funding sources, which funded the project. There are
sufficient funds available in these funding sources for the additional appropriation requested.
Funding for Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project
Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4724
Total appropriation to date $20,164,977
Total expenditures and encumbrances to date -$19,568,673
Total available balance $596,304
Public art and outreach, special inspections and testing,
furnishings and staff oversight time (estimated) -$421,313
Unanticipated project costs -$975,000
Total remaining project costs -$1,396,313
Remaining balance -$800,009
Additional appropriation needed (rounded) $800,000
General Capital Construction Fund (53%) -$424,000
Infrastructure Replacement Fund (34%) -$272,000
Park-in-lieu fees – Northwest Quadrant (13%) -$104,000
Because certain projects costing over $1 million in general city funds require voter approval, the
City Council put a measure on the ballot for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and
Replacement Project in November 2022, which was approved. Measure J authorized the city to
spend up to $24 million, adjusted annually based on the regional construction cost index, which
tracks inflation specifically for the construction industry. These annual adjustments would
ultimately authorize a project cost of up to $26,861,883 (as of January 2026).
The project’s construction cost, including the additional $800,000 in appropriations, is currently
significantly less than the amount authorized by Measure J.
Next Steps
With the City Council’s approval, staff will appropriate additional funding in the total amount of
$800,000 to the project budget, and the funding will be used as needed to substantially
complete the project in late summer/early fall 2026.
With the City Council’s approval of the City Manager or designee’s increased contract change
order authority of up to an additional $800,000, staff will continue to process construction
change orders for unanticipated costs and for progressing on the established project schedule.
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Any funding remaining upon completion of the project will be returned to the respective
funding sources.
Environmental Evaluation
On July 19, 1977, the City Council certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR-380) for the
Monroe Street Pool, at the time identified as the “community swimming pool.” The project is
within the scope of the prior environmental document and no further environmental
documentation is required per California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15162.
The conditional use permit, CUP-158, and the certified environmental impact report, EIR-380,
for the Community Swim Complex allowed for larger pool(s), building(s) and parking lots than
what was originally constructed. All applicable mitigation measures contained in the prior
environmental document have either been satisfied previously and/or were made conditions of
approval of the project’s approved conditional use permit. There have not been substantial
changes to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken and there have been no
new significant environmental effects that would modify or change any mitigation measures.
The pool operates in conjunction with the existing school facility, and the proposed changes do
not result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in the severity of previously
identified impacts because the site and neighborhood context have not changed. Projects
constructed by the school district since the pool was constructed have not impacted pool
operations. The changes to the pool will have no impact to the adjacent school facilities. The
mitigation measures to reduce impacts remain in place and are adequate to maintain the same
level of significance studied in the previous EIR, therefore, none of the situations in Section
15162 (a) exist and no additional environmental review is necessary. The certified
environmental impact report and mitigation measures are on file for review at the Planning
Division.
The City Planner determined on Feb. 7, 2023, that design Concept 3 was consistent with the
approved conditional use permit for the Community Swim Complex (the former name of the
Monroe Street Pool), as shown in Exhibit 2.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Location map
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Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-089 .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE’S CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL AUTHORITY AND APPROPRIATION
OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE MONROE STREET POOL RENOVATION
AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT
WHEREAS, on Jan. 14, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-003, awarding a
construction contract to Edwards Construction Group, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $14,126,653
for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program
Project No. 4724, or Project; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2025-003 authorized the City Manager or designee to approve
construction change orders for the Project in an amount not to exceed $1,695,198; and
WHEREAS, at the time of contract award, the City Manager returned excess appropriations in
the amount of $1,402,074 from the Project budget back to the respective funding sources; and
WHEREAS, construction of the Project commenced on March 31, 2025, and is progressing
towards a completion date in late summer 2026; and
WHEREAS, an additional appropriation in the amount of $800,000 to be funded with $272,000
from the Infrastructure Replacement Fund, $424,000 from the General Capital Construction Fund, and
$104,000 from the northwest quadrant Park-In-Lieu Fees is needed to complete construction of the
Project due to unanticipated project costs and for progression on the established project schedule; and
WHEREAS, certain projects over $1 million of general city funds require voter approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Council put a measure on the ballot for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation
and Replacement Project in November 2022, which was approved; and
WHEREAS, Measure J authorized the city to spend up to $24 million, adjusted annually based
on the regional construction cost index, which tracks inflation specifically for the construction industry,
for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the $24 million adjusted annually per the regional construction cost index is now up
to $26,861,883 as of January 2026; and
WHEREAS, the total anticipated Project cost of $20,964,977, which includes the requested
$800,000 additional appropriation, is well below the authorized amount of $26,861,883; and
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WHEREAS, staff are requesting that the City Council authorize an increase in the City Manager
or designee’s authority to approve change orders for the Project by $800,000 for a total change order
authority of $2,495,198; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the city to
appropriate additional funding and authorize an increase in the City Manager’s authority to approve
construction change orders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.On July 19, 1977, the City Council certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR-380)
for the Monroe Street Pool, at the time identified as the “community swimming pool.”
The project is within the scope of the prior environmental document and no further
environmental documentation is required per California Environmental Quality Act
Guidelines Section 15162. The conditional use permit, CUP-158, and the certified
environmental impact report, EIR-380, for the Community Swim Complex allowed for
larger pool(s), building(s) and parking lots than what was originally constructed. All
applicable mitigation measures contained in the prior environmental document have
either been satisfied previously and/or were made conditions of approval of the
project’s approved conditional use permit. There have not been substantial changes to
the circumstances under which the project is undertaken and there have been no new
significant environmental effects that would modify or change any mitigation measures.
The pool operates in conjunction with the existing school facility, and the proposed
changes do not result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in the severity
of previously identified impacts because the site and neighborhood context have not
changed. Projects constructed by the school district since the pool was constructed
have not impacted pool operations. The changes to the pool will have no impact to the
adjacent school facilities. The mitigation measures to reduce impacts remain in place
and are adequate to maintain the same level of significance studied in the previous EIR,
therefore none of the situations in Section 15162 (a) exist and no additional
environmental review is necessary. The certified environmental impact report and
May 12, 2026 Item #5 Page 6 of 8
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mitigation measures are on file for review at the Planning Division. The City Planner
determined on Feb. 7, 2023, that design Concept 3 was consistent with the approved
conditional use permit for the Community Swim Complex (the former name of the
Monroe Street Pool).
3.That the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to appropriate a total additional
amount of $800,000, to be funded with $272,000 from the Infrastructure Replacement
Fund, $424,000 from the General Capital Construction Fund, and $104,000 from the
northwest quadrant Park-In-Lieu Fees to the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and
Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4724.
4. That the City Council authorizes an $800,000 increase in the City Manager or designee’s
authority to approve construction change orders for a total change order authority of
$2,495,198 for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project, Capital
Improvement Program Project No. 4724.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the 12th day of May, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
May 12, 2026 Item #5 Page 7 of 8
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LOCATION MAP
NOT TO SCALE
PROJECT NAME
MON ROESTREETPOOLREPLACEMENTP ROJECT
PLOTIFJJ BY: SCOTT £VANS PLOT DATE:2/6/19 PATH:D: \CITY FACILJ11£S\AUTOCAD MAPS\LOCA110N MAPS\COl,/MUN/TY SIii/,/ COMPl£X LOCA110N MAP -MONROE.DWG
Exhibit 2
EXHIBIT
2
May 12, 2026 Item #5 Page 8 of 8
MONROE STREET POOL RENOVATION AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Docusign Envelope ID: AC15F855-BA16-4B53-8897-11831A46C422
From:Alexandra Wallock
To:City Clerk
Subject:Monroe Street Pool
Date:Tuesday, May 12, 2026 1:28:01 PM
I am forwarding the email below to correct email address:
Dear Carlsbad City Council Representative,
I'm writing today to express my concern regarding the construction timeline for the Monroe
Street Pool. I am a mother of 2 water polo players. We have been driving to the William
Wagner Aquatic Center in Oceanside for practices for over a year now while Monroe has been
under construction. The roundtrip drive is over an hour and the practice times are very late,
due to the lack of pools available in North County.
My request is that we put any and all efforts available into the completion of the Monroe
Street pool as the community depends on this establishment for swim, dive and water polo
practices. In addition, the Freshman at Carlsbad High will only be able to take Aquatics P.E. if
the pool is completed before school resumes this Fall.
We are so excited for the finished product, and we are so grateful the council approved the
pool remodel for our community. Thank you for all you are doing for Carlsbad!
Alexandra Wallock
Carlsbad resident since 2010
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All Receive - Agenda Item #_____
For the Information of the:
CITY COUCNIL
Date: ___________ CA ____ CC____ CM ____ ACM ____ DCM (3) ____
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5/12/2026 x x x x x