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Board approves $91,821 landscaping contract for Dewey Brown Plaza amid procurement questions
Summary
Avondale Estates approved a $91,821.38 contract with Yellowstone Landscape to install a planting plan at Dewey Brown Plaza; commissioners raised questions about purchasing plants through the contractor versus wholesale procurement, warranty terms, and whether the contract fits within the $400,000 project budget.
The Avondale Estates board on March 11 approved a contract with Yellowstone Landscape, Inc. to execute a planting plan at Dewey Brown Plaza, authorizing up to $91,821.38 (the contract price includes a 5% contingency above the contractor’s quote).
Staff explained the selection process: the city obtained proposals or quotes from multiple vendors, including Shades of Green (which prepared the planting plan) and Ground Tech (the hardscape contractor). Staff said the Yellowstone bid for installation was substantially lower than Shades of Green’s installation quote and that Yellowstone already provides landscaping and maintenance services for other city sites. The project’s capital appropriation for Dewey Brown Plaza was cited as $400,000 and staff said the planting contract fits within that overall budget.
Several commissioners questioned parts of the procurement approach. Commissioner Steman said she contacted a local wholesale nursery and asked whether the city could realize savings by buying plants directly (the city would not pay sales tax). Other commissioners and staff responded that using a single contractor reduces logistical complexity — delivery, acceptance, staging and warranty responsibility — and that the contractor would provide a limited one‑year warranty on plant material; staff also explained the contract includes a recommendation to have an initial water truck available during establishment and that Yellowstone will assist with maintenance coordination.
Public commenters and one board member also raised design concerns: a commissioner said the planting scheme alters a historic island feature of the plaza and expressed disappointment about the change to a historic landscape character. Board members approved the contract by voice vote (five in favor) and directed staff to clarify warranty language and watering responsibilities in the contract documentation.
