Contract comments
Comments Seabridge lawn maintenance contract concerns
April 15, 2024
Council:
Please excuse any comments that are incorrect. I was not notified the lawn maintenance agreement being committed to (for 5 years) is being signed until late last week. The Special Districts Manager position became vacant last week so no one is available who could have answered my questions.
As you know the Seabridge Board has taken great pride in the past to manicure our landscape. This is a win / win for the City drawing added tourist revenue.
Other users of this agreement, that choose not to water and only mow once a month, would cause an embarrassment if Seabridge were to follow their lead.
As you also know Seabridge homeowners are one of the highest taxed areas in the City, at a rate of over 2.5%, including CD Mello Roos assessments. It is my understanding Brightwater, the past contractor, did not bid and a replacement contract and the proposed bid chosen has increased service cost in excess of 20%.
1) It is my understanding that the city has to absorb any increase over 20% per year. If this is correct the City needs to review their portion of costs being absorbed as well as the nightmare for accounting, when billings are prepared. 2) Seabridge has private vendors in addition to your contract for lawncare services. This contract for $550,000 annually and has additional ramifications in excess of $100 thousand dollar commitments which in my opinion are excessive for just lawn maintenance in a 5 square mile area. 2) Please furnish the agreement stating our ability to alternate needs (as mowing less often during dormant periods) as well as our ability to maintain some services as the cleaning of the bathrooms.
3) Seabridge was pre billed CD4 taxes averaging $2,000 per household (which have been paid by residents for 2023) and the bids have not even been agreed to for the services, as water screens in the harbor. Is this consistent with Council wishes?
Arthur Bierman
Seabridge resident