Council authorizes engineering fees for grant‑funded pickleball courts; staff discuss drainage and donated materials

The Woodland Hills City Council voted to approve engineering fees for a grant‑funded pickleball court project during the June 9, 2026 meeting.

Staff explained the engineering scope includes site‑plan and structural work for two side‑by‑side courts, slab specification (post‑tension concrete), drainage mitigation and sprinkler relocation; those engineering costs are an eligible portion of the city’s grant match. Council members and staff noted that some resident volunteers plan to supply excavation equipment and in‑kind labor for grading and sprinkler adjustments, which can be counted toward the city match.

One council member said a company connected to a council member’s business, California Sport Surfaces, might provide court surface materials at low cost or donation; staff said owner‑provided material could be written into specs as "owner‑provided, contractor‑installed" and count toward the in‑kind match.

Timing and process: Staff said engineering work will begin after contracts are executed; realistic construction start is likely in the fall once design, bidding and contractor selection are complete. The grant requires the funds to be spent within roughly two years. Staff also discussed the potential need for site rendering, relocation of volleyball equipment, and coordination around Woodland Hills Days event timing.

Vote and next steps: The council moved and seconded the engineering fee approval and recorded an all‑in‑favor voice vote. Staff will finalize the engineering agreement and begin design work, then distribute plans for public review prior to bidding.

Quote (from the meeting): “Most of what they’re going to do is the site and what we’ll call structural ... and then the site plan. The sprinkler relocation is part of our match as well,” Ted said.

Provenance: Engineering scope discussion begins at SEG 1136 and the motion to approve appears at SEG 2532–SEG 2541.