HomeMy WebLinkAboutTurf Maintenance at the Sports Facilities INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
CITY OF PALM DESERT
TO: City Council and City Manager
FROM: Richard J. Folkers, ACM/Public Works Director
SUBJECT: TURF MAINTENANCE AT THE SPORTS FACILITIES
DATE: May 13, 1999
RECOMMENDATION:
(1) Enter into a contract with Enviable Greens on a sole source basis to perform
turf maintenance for the following facilities as listed below:
(A) Perform turf maintenance on the entire soccer park, as described
below, in the amount of $24,150.00
(B) Perform an aeration program at the Civic Center Park, as described
below, in the amount of $6,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
We have had sports facilities for several years that are maintained by the City.
With the recent completion of the soccer fields on Hovley Lane East and the
increased play on the Civic Center Park ballfields, however, it is time to assess our
methods by which we maintain these facilities.
Sports facilities require a different type of care to keep a healthy, playable turf
surface. We are now facing the following conditions in the fields:
a) The soccer fields cannot be renovated for overseeding due to the
soccer season falling between September and December.
b) The high school fields cannot be renovated due to the restrictions of
using reclaimed water during the day.
c) Grass fields used for sports activities tend to become very hard due to
constant use and abuse, which tends to restrict growth.
d) The turf must be cut at a lower height to facilitate play and reduce
injuries. Lower turf height requires additional care to keep a healthy
appearance.
Page 2
May 13, 1999
SUBJECT: TURF MAINTENANCE AT SPORTS FACILITIES
Staff has investigated options for facilitating a healthy, year round stand of grass
on all of the City's facilities. There is a local company that specializes in this type
of turf maintenance by the name of Enviable Greens in Palm Desert who specialize
in golf course greens and sports facilities. In discussing a viable process to ensure
a healthy growth, they recommended a plan to stimulate the growth, as well as
additional steps at the end of summer, to ensure a live playing surface during the
soccer season in the fall. This work would include performing deep soil aeration,
application of a mixture of a high nitrate fertilizer, and a top dress at a total cost of
$24,150, which includes materials, labor and tax. Funds are available for this
work in the Park Account No. 1 10-4610-453-3371 .
It should be noted that the Civic Center Park has a very poor soil base and there are
specific areas that have a very poor soil base and always has difficulty growing
healthy turf. Unfortunately, there is a conflict for maximum aeration because of the
relatively shallow irrigation system. It was recommended that an aeration program
be performed that would provide soil stimulation but not to a depth that would
harm the irrigation lines. Enviable Greens would complete the project at $200 per
acre for the thirty acres for a total of $6,000. Funds are available for this work in
the Civic Center Park Account No. 1 10-461 1 -453-3320.
Staff recommends that the City Council enter into a contract with Enviable Greens
on a sole source basis to perform the turf maintenance for the soccer park and
Civic Center Park as described above.
i
RICH RD J. F KERS, P.E. REVIEWED AND CONCUR
CITY MANAGER
/7
RJ F/m s (,G_'
REVIEWED AND CONCUR
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
APPLICANT: CITY COUNCIL A TION:
ENVIABLE GREENS a?PROVED ✓✓ DENIED
P. O. Box 721 `'OE IVED• OTHER
Palm Desert, CA 92261 ;. TIATE I _I
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