Ojai City Council directs staff to issue RFP for Sarasota Park playground reconstruction

Ojai City Council on June 2 directed city staff to draft and issue a request for proposals for planning and design of the Sarasota Park playground reconstruction, asking that the Parks & Recreation Commission review the solicitation during development and that consultants include implementation schedules and oversight during construction.

City staff told the council the city ran an online and mail survey to gather community input; primary survey requests included shade structures, climbing elements, equipment for a wider age range, removal of sand and minimizing hot surfaces. Staff recommended against including a water feature in the current phase because the excavation and plumbing costs could exceed the available project budget, but said planners could include options for a water element in design proposals so the city can evaluate future phases.

Staff said a $750,000 state grant is available to help fund the reconstruction and reported the grant's current non-extended deadline is June 30, 2027; staff noted an extension can be requested in the fall and indicated state parks staff had been responsive in prior conversations. Councilmembers and commissioners urged expeditious work to avoid losing the funding.

The council discussed procurement approaches and public-contract constraints: for projects under roughly $1 million the city's public contract code limits bundling design and construction in a single design-build contract, so staff recommended a qualifications-based solicitation for planning and design with options for oversight during construction and later procurement of installation contractors. Commissioners with previous playground experience recommended public engagement touchpoints to review options once proposals narrow to selected concepts.

Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to draft and execute the RFP and to have the Parks & Recreation Commission review the draft; roll-call votes were recorded as yes for all present.

Next steps: staff will draft the RFP consistent with council direction, work with the Parks & Recreation Commission on review, and proceed with solicitation and outreach to qualified landscape/planning firms. If proposals materially exceed grant amounts, council will decide whether to trim scope, seek additional funding, or phase the project.