Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Agreement with LandCare USA to restore the La Plaza Demonstration Garden
Date: November 28, 2023
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council approve by motion a standard services agreement with LandCare USA for restoring the Demonstration Garden Landscaping.
Background
The Demonstration Garden was originally constructed in 2009 as a water-efficient garden. It demonstrates different conservation techniques and earthwork methods. It is also home to California native plants as well as butterflies.
Analysis/Discussion
The City has solicited bids for the landscaping work from PJM and LandCare USA. Landcare USA was the apparent low bidder at $35,000 and PJM’s proposal came in at $42,770. City Staff has reviewed the quotes for landscape services and find them to be fair and reasonable and recommend approval.
Since installation in 2009, the landscapes have only received routine maintenance, including removal of dead plants. The irrigation system is no longer working effectively as emitters have popped off and plants have pinched the irrigation tubing. The proposed landscape remediation work will scrape off the mulch and repair the flexible irrigation tubing. Established and healthy plants will remain. The work will then include remediating the soil, installing new plants in the gaps, repairing irrigation piping, and adding mulch. The new plants being installed are from the original design (attached). The contractor will then work with the City Public Works staff to schedule the irrigation controller.
Financial Considerations
The City’s Fiscal Year 23/24 adopted budget includes $35,000 for remediation of street landscaping. The LandCare USA contract is equal to the budgeted amount and no appropriation of funds is being requested.
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.