Board reviews parks mowing contract covering 32 parks with new payment safeguards

Parks staff told the board they are renewing the city's mowing contract and have restructured the scope and payment terms. The contract will cover 32 parks and calls for roughly 38 cuts per year (weekly during the growing season from April through November; biweekly or as needed from November through April).

Staff said one of the contract changes is a stronger performance condition: the city will not pay the contractor unless the work is performed as specified. The locations covered by the contract were adjusted from prior arrangements so some front-door areas of parks (for example portions of War Memorial) will be cut by contractors while other areas, such as the old golf course area at Heinemann, will remain in-house by city staff.

Parks staff said they could provide a detailed list of the parks and zones to the board; a neighborhood association offered to provide lawn-care assistance for a specific park and staff indicated they would explore a one-off contract for that service.

"There are 38 cuts per year for each park...This will cover 32 parks," parks staff said, adding that the city expects to realize contract changes that reduce payment when work is not accomplished.