Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH VIZMEG LANDSCAPE, INC. FOR ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE BASEBALL FIELDS AT BARLOW FARM PARK; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: The four (4) baseball fields at Barlow Farm Park need safety related repairs/renovations due to years of excessive wear and failing infrastructure. These issues are now creating unsafe conditions and poor playability. Staff wishes to correct these initial safety improvements now in preparation for the spring 2020 season.
Body
Legislative History
17-149 - Authorized a two-year contract with Vizmeg Landscape; 10/3/2017
Purpose & Explanation
After numerous concerns regarding the safety and playability of the Barlow Farm Park baseball fields (acknowledging that spring 2019 was extremely excessive with rainfall), Staff has had discussions with multiple field consultants to determine a solution to correct the current adverse conditions. Following these discussions about the concerns that had consistently arisen at the Barlow Farm Park baseball fields during the beginning of the 2019 season, staff has documented several underlying issues of concern.
1. The initial construction of these fields provided for run off drainage through the infield dugout areas. This has caused many infield base line issues with safety and playability problems over the past15 years particularly during excessively wet seasons.
2. The original soils materials used to construct the infields has a very high silt content that allows the infields to “move” with rainfall and wind. Any sub surface drainage that was originally placed is no longer functioning.
In order to provide safe, functioning fields, the above items need to be corrected most expeditiously. There are additional improvements planned which are not safety related in nature and will be completed in the fall of 2020.
We are recommending a two-stage approach.
First Stage Repairs/Renovations
First to be addressed will be the infield areas for safety of play purposes. The fields would be lowered in elevation and regraded to achieve positive drainage around the dugout areas and away from the infields. This would include removal of existing materials under the fence lines and along all baselines. The outfield/infield interface would be stripped and re-seeded to receive the new grading. Lastly the fields would be laser graded for positive drainage and safe playability. The above items need to be completed this fall 2019
Second Stage Repairs/Renovations
This work includes integrating new infield mix material that alleviates the high silt concern and provides for proper water drainage and repelling capabilities. Infield sub-surface drainage system will be installed for increased infield drainage capacity. Infield baseline sod would be installed to aid with drainage direction flow and filtration. Finally, sub-surface fortification bricks would be installed at pitchers’ mounds and home plate area for improved wear tolerance and safety/playability. This work would take place at the end of the 2020 season and is budgeted in the Parks Budget for 2020.
Project quotes were received from Vizmeg Landscape and Golf Preservations (attached).
Staff wishes to proceed with the first stage safety of play repairs/renovations immediately utilizing the City’s current contract with Vizmeg Landscape.
Stage 1 cost-----------$52,400
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04:
to be competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks.
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
X Other
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
X Supplemental Appropriation Required ($52,400.00, to be included with Fourth Quarter Appropriations)
Appropriation Not Required.
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize amending the landscape contract with Vizmeg Landscape, 778 McCauley Rd. Stow OH 44224, to include the initial repairs/renovations of the four (4) Barlow Farm Park baseball fields in the amount not to exceed $52,400; and declaring an emergency.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Frank Comeriato, Assistant City Manager-Operations
Trent Wash, Assistant Director Public Works