Board approves HR Green design supplement for Longview Farm Park parking-lot project

The Town and Country Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Sept. 29 to approve an ordinance authorizing Supplement No. 1 to the professional services agreement with HR Green Inc. for additional engineering design services tied to the Longview Farm Park parking-lot resurfacing project. Mayor Mary called for the motion and the roll call recorded unanimous support.

Alderman Harvey pressed staff on a line-item labeled “internal QAQC,” asking, “Are we paying for their internal QAQC? I mean, normally, that’s like a cost of doing business.” City staff responded that the line refers to quality-control work on the deliverables HR Green will provide to the city, not HR Green’s internal business operations.

Harvey also raised concerns about proposed electric-vehicle charging stations, saying the chargers would remove four parking spaces from a small lot and asking whether that loss was justified. Staff said they are only investigating feasibility and will not proceed if the reduction in parking proves unacceptable.

Officials said the current design fee under this year’s budget will pay for the immediate work; staff noted that construction funding will be requested in next year’s budget and that the design will include cost estimates for water-quality features such as bioswales. One staff speaker described an estimated additional water-quality cost of “about $50,000 or less,” and said final construction estimates will arrive with HR Green’s design.

The ordinance passed by voice and roll call and, as read into the record, the bill will be recorded as "work as number 4 6 5 3." The board directed staff to return with final design documents and a construction estimate for the board’s October retreat.