TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to amend the Fiscal Year 2008 purchase authority with Azteca Landscape, Contract Nos. 28892 and 29207, and Midori Gardens, Contract Nos. 28893 and 29208, in the amounts of $175,461.57 for Azteca Landscape, and $373,080.82 for Midori Gardens, for unforeseen park and street median landscape services accrued during Fiscal Year 2008. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is responsible for the landscaping and irrigation of 3,262 acres, comprising 152 parks, 233 acres of undeveloped area, and 196 acres of street medians. PRM uses two landscape contractors, Azteca Landscape (Azteca) and Midori Gardens (Midori), to fulfill this responsibility. The task for both PRM contract inspectors and the landscape contractors is to ensure that these lands are maintained and improved in an aesthetically pleasing and functional manner within the limited budget.
Early in Fiscal Year 2008, PRM performed a general assessment of the irrigation systems and plant life conditions on both street medians and parklands. The assessment revealed major and multiple breaks in the irrigation system hidden under sidewalks, curbs, and large tree roots; a multitude of inoperable controllers and valves; and rampant vandalism. In some areas the systems were over 50 years old. The inoperability of these irrigation systems resulted in huge amounts of water loss, dying plants, and unacceptable aesthetic conditions.
In response, PRM worked with both contractors to aggressively address the needed repairs and to replace the lost plant materials. As these irrigation systems have come on-line, the related areas have started to show significant improvement and once again have become an asset for the community.
These services have caused PRM to exceed the landscape contract limits, requiring contract amendments in order to pay outstanding invoices. Therefore, it is requested that the Cit...
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