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Council approves $446,530 Forest Parkway median landscaping after debate over cost and SPLOST funding
Summary
Council approved a $446,530 contract with Russell Landscape Group to renovate medians along Forest Parkway (State Route 331) funded by SPLOST; some council members questioned the cost compared with other capital projects and sought more documentation before the initial vote, leading to additional briefing before final approval.
The council authorized a $446,530 contract with Russell Landscape Group for landscape demolition, grading, plantings and one year of maintenance in medians along Forest Parkway (State Route 331), funded by SPLOST proceeds.
Public Works staff said four bids were received and Russell Landscape was the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. The scope includes removal of specified existing plantings, grading, installation of plant species selected for median conditions, and a one-year maintenance warranty. Staff noted the contract must also comply with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) standards for work within the state right-of-way.
Several council members questioned the cost relative to other SPLOST-funded projects, compared the proposal to a Linda Way sidewalk rehabilitation contract and asked whether in-house public-works crews could perform elements of the work. Staff said the solicitation included detailed plan documents and line-item bid tabulations; procurement had refined the bid package after prior solicitations produced higher prices, and the winning bid included demolition, site preparation, materials and maintenance.
The council debated whether to delay approval for more detail; the motion initially failed for lack of a second, but the item was brought back, seconded and approved. Council members requested staff provide the solicitation plans, the bid tabulation and line-item details electronically to council members for review. The contract includes a one-year maintenance period after installation, after which public-works assumed responsibility for upkeep.
