Shorty Combs Park work advances; $85,349.99 remains and contractor completed tree removal

Parks & Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy told the board that Shorty Combs Park continues to progress: City Council authorized $200,000 for the project in November 2021; recorded expenditures include $107,292.80 in 2022 and $7,357.21 in 2023, leaving $85,349.99 on the books.

Kennedy said a purchase order with A.M. Landshaper (executed March 25, 2024) was used to remove remaining dead trees and complete site prep; the A.M. crew removed all dead trees and began placing sod as of the April 4, 2024 project status note. The packet lists A.M. Landshaper work at $57,936.06 and staff-estimated costs for remaining in-house work totaling $8,930.

The nut graf: staff expect to finish remaining tasks this spring but noted delays tied to reclaimed-water availability, which has held up irrigation repairs needed to complete landscaping. If the planned work is completed as described, the packet projects a remaining $19,023.93 from the initial transfer that could be returned to the Park Reserve Fund after necessary expenditure transfers into the 2024 Parks Expenditure-Improvements account.

Kennedy outlined upcoming staff tasks including removing old ball field posts, leveling former restroom areas, clearing debris piles and completing irrigation repairs where possible. The board reviewed a line-item breakdown of staff costs (top soil, grass seed, irrigation border material, rock engraving, privacy slats) and a reconciled funds table indicating transfers required to align past expenditures with 2024 budget accounts.

Next steps: finish contractor work (A.M. Landshaper), complete staff tasks as irrigation allows, and process account transfers or return unused funds to the reserve as appropriate.