10-25-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT 1 TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council FROM: Bryce Shearen, CPRE, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Director DATE: October 25, 2023 RE: Park Entrance Sign Installation ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The City Council is asked to consider one of the three options identified for the installation of the new park entrance signs. BACKGROUND: The City Council authorized the purchase and installation of new park entrance signs for each of our public parks in March of 2022. The cost for the actual signage was $23,120 and a total of $33,250 was budgeted for the purchase and installation of these signs. Staff is also recommending that we include pollinator-friendly plants and native grasses around each of the new signs to enhance the appearance and promote a more welcoming entrance to each of our parks. Most of Little Canada’s existing park signage does not include plantings or landscaping around the signs. The signs were delivered on August 3, 2022 and the initial plan was to utilize our parks maintenance staff to install each of these signs over the next year. Unfortunately only one of the new park signs has been installed at Rondeau Park due to other priorities and staff capacity. At this time, there are nine additional signs that still need to be replaced with new signage and landscaping. In an effort to move this project forward, staff reached out to multiple local landscaping companies to remove the existing signs, install the new signs, and install plantings and landscaping around eight of the signs. A total of two quotes were received: • Albrecht Companies - $36,846 • Johnson’s Lawn & Landscape, LLC - $39,600 After receiving the quotes staff looked at utilizing the Minnesota Institution Community Work Crew (ICWC) as an additional option, but they were not available this fall. Staff also explored utilizing employees from other departments, but many individuals have planned time off and potential dates were not able to be accommodated. Staff also looked at not adding the landscaping and just installing the signs without, it was estimated that the materials for the plants, grasses, mulch, dirt, and edging would be approximately $1,200-$1,500 per sign (one sign on the east side of Gervais Mill Park needs some additional site clearing and sod). Staff reached out to Albrecht Companies, and they indicated they would be willing to do a time and materials with a not to exceed $36,846, so there is a chance it could cost less than the quoted amount. They also indicated that if weather allows they could complete the project this year.