Subject/Recommendation: |
Authorize award and execution of a Purchase Order to T.F. HARPER & ASSOCIATES, LP, Austin, Texas, selected through the BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative, in an amount not to exceed $49,895.00 for the construction of Steeplechase Dog Park Phase I. ~ Kerry Urbanowicz, Director of Parks and Recreation |
Other Information: |
As approved in the 2017-18 Budget, this park project was to develop plans and build a dog park. Staff created a dog park committee to determine minimum features and amenities, establish dog park rules, work with a contractor to develop plans and present these plans to city council for approval. The dog park committee included Jerry Hendrix (Chief of Staff), Kerry Urbanowicz (Director of PARD), Keshav Gnawali (City Engineer), Kathy Roecker (Stormwater Admin), Briana Brecher (Animal Control Officer) and Michele Jones (Retired Lufkin Animal Shelter Assistant Director and Kyle PARD Admin Assistant).
After visiting the dog parks in New Braunfels, Austin, Kyle and Buda, the committee met weekly to develop a plan. The desired dog park plan with the adequate features and amenities, has a construction cost estimate over $150,000. These include shade-covered benches and benches throughout the park, pervious walking trails within the park, trees and plants, dog washing station, trash cans, pet waste stations and pervious-paved parking. The committee met with T.F. Harper & Associates to develop a construction plan. They have built dog parks throughout Texas for many cities and counties.
The committee worked to create several phases to fit these plans into the current budget of $50,000. The dog park would be operational if the fences, water faucets and transition zones were built in Phase 1. This would require city staff to put in the water lines, install landscaping, signage and prepare parking on an unpaved area. The committee is recommending that an additional $50,000 be approved in the 2018-19 budget to construct Phase 2 features and amenities. Additional funding for other park features will come from donations, grants and partnerships from the public. Staff recommends approval. |