After hearing a presentation from Kimley-Horn about services they could provide for an artificial turf project, last week the Alva Parks and Recreation Board rejected a proposed agreement to provide design build bid services for $70,000. At last week’s meeting, Mayor Kelly Parker suggested a less expensive option, but that wasn’t on the agenda.
Kimley-Horn is the architectural and engineering firm that is currently working on the Hatfield Park master plan for Alva. They also have worked with the city on designing the replacement of the swimming pool.
During a special meeting at noon on Wednesday, board members considered a proposal to hire Kimley-Horn as a consulting agency for the turf project. Present for the meeting were Chairman Shane Hansen and members Chad Fisher, Matt Tucker, Gregg Glass and Gail Swallow. Heath Shelite was absent, and Brandon Sherman arrived about three minutes into the meeting. Also present were Mayor Parker, City Business Manager Stephen Ford and Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nesseralla.
Ford explained that hiring Kimley-Horn as a consulting agency meant they would provide bid build services. This would include bid development, bid posting and bid evaluation. He said the cost would be on a basis of $250 per hour. Kimley-Horn estimated the cost at about $10,000, but it will depend on how many hours the city requires of them.
Parker explained that Kimley-Horn would help prepare the request for proposals, and Nesseralla said the specifications would be supplied by the city. Glass asked why the board couldn’t use the bids obtained by Nesseralla earlier, but she explained those were quotes not bids.
Parker said with this size project, they must have bids, not quotes. He said although Kimley-Horn won’t be drawing up designs, they will prepare the bid documents from information provided and make sure it is in the correct form. They will make sure the bid notice is sent to contractors, and when bids come in, they will help to evaluate them.
Hansen asked who would primarily work with Kimley-Horn, and Parker said that would be Nesseralla. He also suggested the board appoint a committee to work with her on the project.
Glass made a motion, seconded by Tucker, to enter into the consulting agreement with Kimley-Horn, and the motion carried.
Nesseralla then asked about forming a committee. Immediately, four board members volunteered. Parker said only three can serve so they won’t form a majority or quorum of the board. He suggested Nesseralla choose who will serve on the committee.
The artificial turf project will cover the infields of eight ball fields. This will provide an all-weather surface that won’t leave pooling water after rains. The estimated cost of the project is $1.4 million. The Alva Recreation Complex has received a large donation designated to be used for the turf. The remainder will be paid from their funds. Financial reports at their last meeting show a cash balance of $708,102.17 with $164,787.09 in pooled cash, $100,300 in a pooled cash ballfield account, and $443,015.08 for the swimming pool checking account. In addition the board has three certificates of deposit with a total of $955,116.66 in investments.
Other than the swimming pool account and the turf donation, the majority of the money in Parks and Recreation accounts comes from a one-half percent earmarked sales tax voted by citizens, and it cannot be used for general city business.
Reader Comments(0)