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Castle Oaks landscaping contractor defends work, says anonymous prevailing‑wage complaint cost time and attention
Summary
The contractor that renovated and now maintains landscaping at Castle Oaks told the Ione City Council May 6 that the firm completed a lower‑cost renovation and disputed an anonymous state complaint alleging the work was public works subject to prevailing‑wage rules.
A contractor identified as Chris of Strong Urban Designs updated the Ione City Council on May 6 about landscaping and maintenance work at Castle Oaks and said the firm saved the city money by completing a lower‑cost renovation and continuing maintenance under contract.
Background and contract: Chris said the city’s landscape contract was signed in January 2021. A city design for renovation had been estimated at about $450,000; Strong Urban Designs said it offered a lower proposal and completed the renovation work for roughly $151,000, with a final contract value of about $162,000 after a change order to address unexpectedly intensive clearing and irrigation repairs. Chris said the maintenance contract annual charge was reduced from about $31,728 to $29,030 after the renovation and that the firm currently charges less than the inflationary index would indicate.
Prevailing‑wage complaint: In December 2024 the firm received notice of an anonymous complaint filed with the California Department of Industrial Relations alleging the renovation should have been treated as a public‑works project, which would trigger prevailing‑wage and apprenticeship requirements. Chris said Strong Urban Designs was not aware the project would be treated as public works when it took the job; the contractor said the work followed the contract approved by the city and that the firm believed it paid prevailing wages where applicable. The contractor said a public records request seeking the identity of the complainant had not yet returned a response.
Public comments and council response: Several residents and a past member of a landscape committee said they appreciated the contractor’s work on the entrance and landscaping but noted some peripheral areas still require attention. Council members said the contract and complaints had been reviewed previously and that staff would follow up if additional documentation or corrective action is required.
Ending: The contractor said he was proud of the work, reiterated the cost savings to the city and asked council to consider that the project had been managed under a maintenance contract rather than a public‑works procurement.
