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La Plata council approves one-year renewal of Melwood landscaping contract
Summary
The La Plata Town Council voted unanimously June 17 to adopt Resolution 25-09, renewing a year-to-year landscaping and groundskeeping contract with Melwood Horticultural Training Center Inc.; staff said the proposed 1.2% rate increase for FY25 is below the consumer price index and council agreed to put the FY27 contract out to competitive bid.
The La Plata Town Council voted unanimously June 17 to adopt Resolution 25-09, authorizing Town Manager Chuck Stevens to renew a one‑year landscaping and groundskeeping contract with Melwood Horticultural Training Center Inc.
Town Manager Chuck Stevens told the council the renewal continues a long relationship dating to at least February 2009 and that the company proposed a 1.2% rate increase for fiscal 2025. "Their rate increases have never exceeded the consumer price index, and the attached proposal for your consideration this evening is an increase of only 1.2%, for FY '25, which is a full 1.7% under the consumer price index," Stevens said.
The renewal was presented as a routine, budget‑covered contract. Stevens told the council staff recommends a one‑year renewal this year and plans to advertise a competitive bid for the FY27 contract to ensure transparency and competitiveness after Melwood's long tenure.
Council members asked whether town hall landscaping had been bid separately; Stevens and staff said the town sent a separate solicitation for the town hall site but received no responsive proposals. Council and staff discussed differences in the scope of work for town hall landscaping versus other town facilities.
After the presentation the council moved the item to legislation and then voted to adopt the resolution. Town Clerk roll call recorded votes as follows: Councilman Guttenberg — Aye; Councilman McCormick — Aye; Councilman Sampson — Aye; Councilman Johnson — Aye; Mayor Mary James — Aye. The motion passed.
The council did not amend contract terms beyond the single‑year renewal and directed staff to run a competitive solicitation in advance of FY27.
