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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 5A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director MEETING DATE: April 9, 2018 TOPIC: Consider Resolution 18-42 Approving Contract with Northland Recreation Inc. for Birch Park Playground Equipment VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting council consideration to approve a contract with Northland Recreation Inc. in the amount of $60,000 for the design and equipment of the Birch Park Playground Project. BACKGROUND The playground at Birch Park was installed in 1998 and is need of replacement. The Park Board and staff are recommending the Birch Park playground equipment be replaced as part of the 2018 Parks and Trails Capital Projects that will be fully presented at the May 7 work session for City Council consideration. This particular project is more complex than a typical playground equipment replacement project. Staff is recommending relocating the playground area adjacent to the park shelter. The existing large playground structure is located in the lowest area of the park. Placing engineered wood fiber (for safety surfacing and accessibility) in a low area may create occasionally soggy conditions and will degrade more rapidly. While installing the new playground equipment adjacent to the park shelter is a more suitable location for park layout, visibility, and drainage, the new location is more challenging due to the space constraints, elevation changes (ie. two-tiered playground), and existing trees. These factors create some design challenges that will require extra effort to ensure a successful project. Therefore, staff is recommending entering into a contract with Northland Recreation, Inc. to provide the design and equipment for the Birch Park Playground Project via the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA). Staff worked with Northland Recreation, Inc. during our most recent park improvement project at NorthPointe Park (playground equipment and park shelter). The NJPA is a public corporation serving as a municipal contracting agency for government and education agencies. NJPA serves member agencies under the legislative authority established and granted by Minnesota Statute 123A.21. This agreement fulfills the competitive solicitation and contract process required of governmental agencies. Recommended funding is from the Dedicated Parks Fund. The City collected $62,064 from the Saddle Club development that was designated for improvements at Birch Park.