HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2011 1019 CC REG ITEM 10O ITEM 10.0.
Citjt council Meeting
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ACTION:—
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jeremy Laurentowski, Landscape and Parks Manager L
DATE: October 12, 2011 (CC Meeting of October 19, 2011)
SUBJECT: Consider Purchase of a Turf Aerator and Tractor; and Resolution
Amending the Fiscal Year 2011/12 Budget
BACKGROUND
Arroyo Vista Community Park (AVCP) was originally established in 1993 and was
expanded in 2003 to include the east end of the park and the area currently referred to
as the Peppertree Pavilion. In 2010, it became apparent that the park was in need of a
major restoration as the soil had become overly compacted, restricting root growth and
inhibiting the movement of water, air and vital nutrients.
On January 14, 2011 the City contracted with Guise and Associates, a turf consultant,
to assess the condition of the sport fields at Arroyo Vista Community Park. The
consultant confirmed the compaction problems associated with the park and provided
the City with a turf restoration program for immediate implementation, and a long term
turf maintenance plan that included a fertilization and aeration schedule.
On April 20, 2011 the City Council approved the restoration of approximately forty-four
(44) acres of turf at Arroyo Vista Community Park and Guise's recommendations as
follows:
1. Apply deep tine vertidrain aeration
2. Apply 8" solid tine shatter core aeration
3. Apply 15-0-15 fertilizer to stimulate Bermuda turf and Evade herbicide for
removal of Poa annua grass (1-time)
4. Apply Revolver 20-20-20 herbicide removal of cool season turf
5. Top-dress fields with '/4" sand
6. Apply two (2) additional fertilizations during the initial six (6) month restoration
7. Re-seed bare areas
The turf restoration program at Arroyo Vista Community Park was implemented on May
1, 2011 and was successfully completed on August 15, 2011 at a total cost of $122,104.
The City Council approved Resolution 2011-3017 on April 20, 2011 in the amount of
$130,000 for this work.
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October 12, 2011
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DISCUSSION
On February 14, 2011, staff received the restoration recommendations and long term
maintenance plan for the turf areas at Arroyo Vista Community Park. The long term turf
maintenance program provided by Guise and Associates is summarized below:
General:
1. General agronomic recommendations for the maintenance of the turf areas at
Arroyo Vista Community Park will include mowing the fields at least once per
week, and soil testing for fertility requirements twice per year, in the spring and
late summer. In addition, the application of slow release fertilizers with low
nitrogen rates (1-2 Lbs.) shall be applied at 60-day intervals. Aeration will be
required with equipment that will vary the depth of tine penetration and scheduled
quarterly, with a deep tine application scheduled once annually.
Mechanical Soil Aeration:
1. Mechanical soil aeration is a key component in providing and restoring turf grass-
playing surfaces.
2. A minimum of four (4) times per year aeration practices are needed and
approximately eight (8) times per year in high wear and high use areas.
3. One deep tine aeration practice shall be performed across the site in April.
Repeat aeration practices in June, August, October and January (at a minimum).
Multiple passes may be required during each aeration practice in order to
adequately de-compact the soil.
Soil Fertility:
1. March 1, apply monopotassium-phosphate (MKP) fertilizer (0-51-33) at a rate of
300 lbs per acre.
2. March 15, apply sulfur-coated urea fertilizer (36-0-0) at a rate of 150 lbs per acre.
3. Repeat sulfur-coated urea application rate at about eight (8) week intervals
throughout the summer growing season.
4. April 1, apply Iron Plus fertilizer (with micros) at a rate of 100 lbs per acre.
Repeat Iron Plus fertilizer application every other month throughout the first year
at a rate of 50 lbs per acre.
5. April 15, apply triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizer (0-45-0) at a rate of 250
pounds per acre.
6. May 1, apply potassium chloride (muriate of potash, MOP) fertilizer (0-0-60) at a
rate of 200 lbs per acre. Repeat this application/rate about in July and again in
September.
7. January, May and November Apply 15-0-15 fertilizer.
8. Top-dress the fields with sand annually to 1/4 inch depth as required for drainage.
The majority of this work is included in the scope of services provided by the City's
contract landscape maintenance company, such as fertilization and mowing. However,
aeration, top dressing the fields, and over-seeding is an additional cost not covered in
the standard landscape maintenance specifications for landscape maintenance
services. Staff has obtained cost estimates to complete these items and has
determined that the total annual cost of the maintenance items that are not included in 261
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October 12, 2011
Page 3
the landscape maintenance budget or contract specifications for Arroyo Vista
Community Park is one hundred thirty-six thousand six hundred dollars ($136,600). A
summary of these costs follows:
Annual Turf Maintenance Cost Summary (44 acres):
1. Shatter-tine aeration four (4) times annually $55,900
2. Verti-drain aeration one (1) time annually $12,000
3. Top-dress with sand to 1/4 inch depth $46,700
4. Over-seeding with hybrid Bermuda seed $22,000
Total $136,600
It should be noted that top-dressing the fields with sand and over-seeding with hybrid
Bermuda seed is dependent on use and maintenance practices. Staff has confirmed
with Guise and Associates that these maintenance items would be minimal provided on-
going aeration practices are implemented.
Staff recommends implementing the above mentioned long term turf maintenance
program for Arroyo Vista Community Park and purchasing the required aeration
equipment for use by City staff to minimize the cost. The total cost to hire a contractor
for the aeration practices at AVCP is approximately $67,900 annually. Staff has
obtained cost estimates for a new aerator and used tractor and has determined that the
total cost to purchase this equipment is $32,600. The used tractor staff has located is a
2004 John Deere 4720 Series with approximately 1,100 engine hours for a cost of
$16,701. The aerator is a 75" tow behind AerWay aerator at a cost of $12,935. A 2011
John Deere 4720 Series would coast approximately $33,000 and would total $52,825
with the same aerator.
Staff has estimated that the life expectancy of this equipment is in excess of twenty (20)
years and recommends the purchase of a used tractor. According to John Deere
Tractors, the City can expect over 6,000 hours of use with the 4720 series tractor before
requiring a major engine overhaul, provided the equipment is properly maintained. This
is typical of diesel engines as 10,000 hours of use is not uncommon. Staff has also
contacted AerWay and has discovered that the original aerator built in 1984 is still in
operation today. Staff had a demonstration of this equipment performed at Arroyo Vista
Community Park on September 21, 2011. According to the manufacturer, the 75"
aerator has the ability to aerate approximately 3.65 acres per hour. Based on this
information, it would take approximately twelve (12) hours of staff time to complete the
aeration of forty-four (44) acres of turf at AVCP, or a total of sixty (60) hours of staff time
to complete all five (5) aerations during a one (1) year maintenance program. The high
speed of operation and simplicity of the equipment were the main advantages of this
equipment, as compared to traditional hydraulic aerators such as those used during the
turf renovation program at AVCP during the spring of 2011. As a comparison, it took
over three and a half weeks to complete the two (2) scheduled aerations. The AerWay
aerator can complete the same work in approximately twenty-four (24) hours.
Staff anticipates utilizing this equipment and implementing a similar turf maintenance
program at all City parks where sport activities are held, such as Campus Canyon Park,
Peach Hill Park, Miller Park, and Mammoth Highlands Park. Staff also anticipates
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utilizing this equipment at a minimum of two (2) times annually at the remaining City
parks to maximize water penetration, increase the health of the turf and ultimately
reduce irrigation water use. Currently the City parks are split between three (3)
maintenance staff. Each staff member would perform the required aeration at their
assigned parks on a rotated schedule.
Staff has projected that the cost of purchasing this equipment and performing the work
with in-house staff is approximately 4 times less costly over a twenty (20) year life
expectancy of the equipment, as compared to the cost of hiring a contractor to perform
the turf aeration in the City's parks. A summary follows:
SUMMARY: AERATION PERFORMED BY IN-HOUSE STAFF
Park Turf Acres Staff hours (annual) Staff$/ ear. Equip. $/park Total Cost/Year
Arroyo Vista 44.00 60.0 $ 6,760.00 $ 792.00 $ 7,552.00
Campus Canyon 4.50 8.0 $ 812.50 $ 81.00 $ 893.50
Peach Hill 7.00 10.0 $ 1,105.00 $ 126.00 $ 1,231.00
Miller Park 5.00 8.0 $ 845.00 $ 90.00 $ 935.00
Mammoth Park 4.50 8.0 $ 812.50 $ 81.00 $ 893.50
Other parks (10) 40.00 22.0 $ 4,030.00 $ 720.00 $ 4,750.00
Total 105.00 116.0 $ 14,365.00 $ 1,890.00 $ 16,255.00
Staff cost is based on $65/hour
The equipment cost per year is based on twenty (20) year life, 15% contingency for repairs and maint. and
assessed per turf acre:
$32,600/105 acres)/20 years X 15% = $18/acre per year
SUMMARY: AERATION PERFORMED BY CONTRACTOR 20-YEAR COST SUMMARY:
Park Turf Acres Total Cost/Year Contractor In-House staff
Arroyo Vista 44.00 $ 28,468.00 $ 569,360.00 $ 151,040.00
Campus Canyon 4.50 $ 2,911.50 $ 58,230.00 $ 17,870.00
Peach Hill 7.00 $ 4,529.00 $ 90,580.00 $ 24,620.00
Miller Park 5.00 $ 3,235.00 $ 64,700.00 $ 18,700.00
Mammoth Park 4.50 $ 2,911.50 $ 58,230.00 $ 17,870.00
Other parks (10) 40.00 $ 25,880.00 $ 517,600.00 $ 95,000.00
Total 105.00 $ 67,935.00 $ 1,358,700.00 $ 325,100.00
Contractor cost is based on $67,900 assessed per acre of turf:
($67,900/105 acres) = $647/acre per year
Based on this assessment, the cost of purchasing this equipment and performing the
work with in-house staff is approximately $16,255 per year, or $325,100 over twenty
(20) years. The cost of hiring a contractor to perform this work is approximately
$67,900 per year, or $1,358,700 over twenty (20) years.
Staff recommends the purchase of an aerator and tractor and continuing the long term
turf maintenance program outlined by Guise and Associates. Continued aeration not
only relieves soil compaction, it increases the penetration of water, minerals, air and
vital nutrients into the soil. In addition, aeration reduces many direct costs associated
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with turf maintenance, such as irrigation water use, over-seeding and top-dressing with
sand.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the aeration equipment and tractor was not included in the FY 2011/12
spending plan and a budget amendment of $32,600 is required to the Parks Division
(7800) for this equipment.
The City received a $15,000 donation from the American Youth Soccer Organization
(AYSO) to supplement the turf restoration program completed at Arroyo Vista
Community Park earlier this year. This donation will help offset the requested funding
for this equipment purchase.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (ROLL CALL VOTE)
1. Approve the purchase of an aerator and tractor for the Parks Division; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2011- amending the FY 2011/12 budget to
appropriate $32,600 from the General Fund (1000) to the Parks Division (7800).
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2011 -
2. John Deere 4720 Series Tractor and AerWay aerator
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RESOLUTION NO. 2011-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR
2011/12 BUDGET TO ALLOCATE $32,600 FROM THE
GENERAL FUND (1000) TO THE PARKS DIVISION (7800)
FOR THE PURCHASE OF A TURF AERATOR AND
TRACTOR
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2011, the City Council adopted the Operating and
Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2011/12;
WHEREAS, a staff report has been presented to said Council recommending the
need to purchase a turf aerator and tractor for various parks in the amount of $32,600;
and
WHEREAS, an additional appropriation of $32,600 is requested from the General
Fund (1000) to the Parks Division (7800) to fund the purchase of this equipment, and
WHEREAS, Exhibit "A" hereof describes said budget amendment and its
resultant impact to the budget line items.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. A budget amendment allocating $32,600 from the General Fund
(1000) for the purchase of a turf aerator and tractor more particularly described in
Exhibit "A" attached hereto is hereby approved.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19`h day of October, 2011.
Janice S. Parvin, Mayor
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ATTEST:
Maureen Benson, City Clerk
Attachment: Exhibit A— Budget Amendment
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EXHIBIT A
BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE
PURCHASE OF A TURF AERATOR AND TRACTOR
FOR USE IN VARIOUS CITY PARKS
FY 2011112
FUND ALLOCATION FROM:
FUND TITLE FUND ACCOUNT NUMBER AMOUNT
General Fund 1000-5500 $32,600
ITotal $32,600
DISTRIBUTION OF APPROPRIATION TO EXPENSE ACCOUNTS:
BUDGET NUMBER CURRENT BUDGET REVISION ADJUSTED BUDGET
2400-7800-0000-9504 $0 $32,600 $32,600
Total $0 $32,600 $32,600
Finance approval:
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ATTACHMENT 2
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JOHN DEERE 4720 SERIES TRACTOR (USED WITH 1,100 HOURS)
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AERWAY AERATOR (PURCHASED NEW)
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