Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with Terra Firma Landscape to Improve the Landscape Plantings at Parks and Recreation Facilities ($53,248.50)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a $53,248.50 contract with Terra Firma Landscape to make improvements to the landscape plantings at Parks and Recreation Facilities.
The City of Ann Arbor, Parks and Recreation Services Unit, received a donation of $112,442 from the Henrietta Feldman Trust for plantings in Ann Arbor Parks. A portion of this funding is being used to design and plant beds around recreation facilities to beautify the entrances and make them more welcoming to visitors.
The recreation facilities being planted through this contract include Cobblestone Farm, Gallup Park Livery, Huron Hills Golf Course Club House, Leslie Park Golf Course entrance, and the Veterans Park Pool and Ice Arena entrance.
The project includes the purchase and installation of plant materials, soil amendments, mulch and edging according to designs that were prepared by InSite Design, a landscape architecture firm. The designs were developed with input from Facility Supervisor staff in 2012 and funded through the Feldman Trust donation. The installations will also be maintained by the contractor for two planting seasons, including watering, weeding, and replacing dead plants.
Staff recruited volunteers through the Adopt-a-Park and Give 365 programs to plant the designed landscapes at Bryant Community Center, Northside Community Center, the Ann Arbor Senior Center, Fuller Park and Buhr Park Pool and Ice Arena in the fall of 2012. Donated funding from the Feldman Trust was used to purchase the plants. The initial maintenance of these previously planted areas will be performed as part of the contract with Terra Firma Landscape to ensure their future success.
Bids were received from two contractors:
Terra Firma Landscape $53,248.50*
Crimboli Nursery, Inc. $103,695.00
*Lowest Responsible Bid
Staff is recommending awarding a contract to Terra Firma Landscape in the amount of $52,248.50 for landscape improvements at Parks and Recreation Facilities. A 10% construction contingency ($5,325.00) is included to cover potential contract change orders to be approved by the City Administrator. It is requested that a $58,573.50 contract and contingency amount be approved for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year. Funding is available in the approved FY2013 Parks Memorials and Contributions Fund.
The Park Advisory Commission recommended approval of this contract at their February 26th, 2013 meeting.
Terra Firma Landscape meets the living wage and prevailing wage requirements and received Human Rights approval on February 12, 2013.
Staff
Prepared by: Amy Kuras, Landscape Architect IV
Reviewed by: Colin Smith, Parks & Recreation Services Manager
Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, A donation of $112,442 from the Henrietta Feldman Trust was made to the City of Ann Arbor, Parks and Recreation Services to make improvements to the landscape in City Parks,
Whereas, The funding is being used to beautify landscaping at Parks and Recreation Facilities;
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission recommended approval of this contract at their February 26th, 2013 meeting;
Whereas, Competitive bids were received by Purchasing on January 31, 2013;
Whereas, Terra Firma Landscape submitted the lowest responsive bid; and
Whereas, Terra Firma Landscape received Human Rights approval on February 12 2013; and
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a contract with Terra Firma Landscape to make improvements to landscape plantings at Parks and Recreations Facilities in the amount of $53,248.50 and a construction contingency of $5,325.00 (10%) to cover potential contract change orders with all funds expendable for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution including the authority to approve change orders within the approved contingency.