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Scotts Valley council approves $443,854 authorization for Al Shugart Park design to Verde Designs
Summary
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2069 to award a design contract for Al Shugart Park to Verde Designs, authorizing a design fee of $403,504 plus a 10% contingency (total $443,854); staff said design will take about 9–10 months and the project aims to honor the donor's original dog-park intent.
The Scotts Valley City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2069 to award the Al Shugart Park design contract to Verde Designs and authorized the city manager to execute the contract, with a recommended authorization of $443,854 (a $403,504 design fee plus a 10% contingency).
Alison Pfeffercorn, the city's recreation manager, summarized the project's history: the roughly 7-acre site between the high school and Sultana Park was donated in 2008 along with a $100,000 donation intended to support a dog park. "This RFP was released with the intent to, honor that original vision. It is not the intent to change that, original design for or vision for the park," Pfeffercorn said. She told council staff received six proposals and recommended Verde Designs for award; the design work will include choices such as surfacing and will be presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission before returning to council.
Pfeffercorn provided the fiscal details in the city's five-year capital improvement plan: the Shugart Park build-out is budgeted at $500,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 with funding from the development impact fund; the Verde Designs contract design fee is $403,504 with a 10% contingency for a total recommended authorization of $443,854. The city staff estimated the design phase will take 6–10 months, with other staff commenters placing the likely design duration at roughly 9–10 months to account for environmental clearances.
Council members asked about surfacing options, whether design updates would remain true to Al Shugart's original intent, and whether optional contract items could push costs higher. Pfeffercorn said surfacing and other choices will be resolved during the design process and that Parks & Rec review will precede a final council decision on construction. Public comment at the meeting included residents who urged reconsideration of a dog park and suggested multipurpose amenities such as pickleball or tennis courts.
Council member Clark moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous roll call vote. Votes recorded on the motion were in the affirmative for Council member Jett, Council member Clark, Vice Mayor Lind and Mayor Tim.
What happens next: Verde Designs will begin the design-phase meetings with staff; Parks & Recreation will review the completed design before the city returns to council for construction authorization.
