Tiburon council authorizes $94,598 in design contracts for former sanitation ponds and neighborhood parks

The Tiburon Town Council voted unanimously on Oct. 15 to authorize two professional-services agreements to advance conceptual designs for four park sites identified in the town's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan.

The council authorized the town manager to execute an agreement with RHAA for design services at the former Richardson Bay sanitation ponds site and Belvoir Mini Park for an amount not to exceed $49,728 and to execute an agreement with Carlisle Macy for design services at Cypress Hollow Park and Bel Air Play Area for an amount not to exceed $44,870. Together the design-phase contracts total $94,598 and are included in the town's FY 2025–26 budget.

David Eshoo, engineering manager in public works, told the council the contracts will produce final 30% conceptual designs. After the 30% phase the consultants will prepare scopes and fee proposals to advance plans to 100% construction documents; staff told council it expects to return after the holidays to request funding and authorization for final plans and contracting.

Eshoo summarized the procurement process: the town issued an RFP on July 17, held a non-mandatory preproposal site walk on Aug. 5, received eight proposals on Aug. 12, and interviewed shortlisted firms in mid-August. A review panel including town staff and members of the Parks, Open Space & Trails (POST) commission recommended RHAA for the sanitation ponds and Carlisle Macy for the other sites because of perceived strengths in community engagement, climate-forward planning, and cohesive team presentations. POST subcommittees negotiated fee adjustments to account for prior public-engagement work, and POST voted unanimously on Sept. 30 to recommend council approval.

Council members and scores of public commenters, including representatives of Parents for Parks & Rec and local residents, urged prompt movement from planning to construction. Public comments emphasized community desire for beach-volleyball courts at the sanitation-pond site, expanded play areas and accessible playgrounds, and timely completion so that families may benefit by next summer. Colin Crawford of Marin Villages recommended the council give design teams a realistic budget range and asked for a single conceptual design that reflects POST recommendations.

Council members praised extensive public outreach by POST and staff and said they expect robust community workshops through the POST subcommittees as the consultants develop the 30% plans. Eshoo estimated the 30% conceptual designs will take about four to five months, with an additional roughly three months thereafter to prepare final, biddable construction documents. Staff said public workshops, subcommittee meetings and POST review will accompany the design process.

The vote was unanimous. No appeals or conditions were recorded beyond the standard requirement that agreements be executed subject to town-attorney approval as to form.