Council pauses on tennis‑court renovation contract, asks staff for clearer cost breakdown

City staff presented a recommendation to award a construction contract for tennis‑court and adjacent site improvements to the apparent low bidder, Fidelity Builders, for a base bid plus allowances and a not‑to‑exceed total of $783,506.25 (including a 10% contingency). Staff said the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) has committed to pay 50% of the construction cost under the lease terms, but that the city’s current capital balance, after previously appropriated amounts and consultant invoices, would require an additional appropriation of roughly $210,800 from general‑fund reserves to complete the project.

The city manager noted the bid bonds and the contractor’s 90‑day bid‑validity period and said the construction schedule would be approximately six months. Council members asked for a clearer financial summary that reconciles: (a) the construction contract and contingency, (b) consultant and construction‑management costs already incurred (the staff report listed a construction‑management contract and prior consultant invoices), and (c) the RHCA cost‑share and what line items the association will cover.

Council did not approve the contract on Tuesday. Instead members asked staff for a clear chart showing each cost element and which party (city or RHCA) is responsible for each item, and to confirm whether the RHCA’s 50% contribution applies to consultant and construction‑management fees as well as the contractor bid. Staff asked for time to assemble the reconciliation and return at the next meeting; several council members said they wanted to be present for the final vote.

Formal action: Council tabled consideration of awarding the construction contract and asked staff to return with a detailed, itemized budget and confirmation of RHCA’s agreed cost responsibilities. No contract was awarded.