HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7645 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7645
11T�� September 29, 1992
opw 0To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Subject: SYCAMORE CREEK GOLF COURSE REOPENING DELAY
In 1986, $15 million dollars in General Obligation Bonds were approved for the redevelopment of the
Sycamore Creek Golf Course. On August 28, 1990 the City Council voted to approve a contract with Poe
Engineers, Inc. for site analysis, golf course routing plans and construction documents. This contract
authorized the development of plans and specifications and provided for construction observation for
the abandonment of the existing nine holes and construction of a new nine holes with double sets of tee
boxes (thus allowing the golfer to play the layout twice, from slightly different perspectives).
Prior to letting the contract, three public meetings were held to gain citizen input as to the type of
operation the citizens felt was needed for the Sycamore Creek Golf Course. The regulation length nine
hole golf course was chosen over two other options including a training center or an eighteen hole, par
three course.
Several additional tracts of land were acquired from individual landowner;, TU Electric Company and
the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. In total,seven additional parcels of
land were acquired after which final construction drawings were completed.
Public bidding on the project was advertised on January 9 and 16,1992 and bids were opened on February
6, 1992. M&C C-13256, awarded a contract to Randall and Blake Inc. for a low bid of$1,286,040 with a
contract time period of 210 calendar days (later extended to 228 days with change orders). The contract
time began on April 3, 1992.
From April through June, demolition of the existing site and construction of the major earthwork was
undertaken by the contractor. As the major earthwork neared completion, the irrigation system and
installation of cart trails began in June.
By late June, the City began to express concerns to the contractor about meeting the planting date in
August. At that time, the contractor provided assurances that they would complete the grassing within
the specified time period of August 15, 1992.
On July 20, 1992 the City formally sent correspondence expressing its concerns about the planting of the
grass as per specifications. After consulting with Dr. Milton Engelke of the Texas A&M Agricultural
Extension Service, on July 28, 1992 the contractor was granted a two week extension to complete the
grassing with a final deadline of September 4, 1992.
That deadline passed without the contractor grassing the golf course. Park and Recreation and Legal
Department staff met with the contractor, who proposed to provide a temporary grass cover of winter
ryegrass to hold the soil and to return next April to complete the project.
This proposal was reviewed by staff and the engineering consultant and a response was sent on
September 10,1992 to the contractor with the City's conditions to accept the contractor's proposal. These
include planting winter ryegrass across the entire golf course,sodding certain areas around sand traps,
grass bunkers,greens and slopes, and fertilization in both the fall and the spring. The contract time will
be stopped at such time when all construction/installation aspects of the plans and specifications are
completed and the stand of temporary grass is established and accepted. Park and Recreation staff will
assume beneficial occupancy throughout the winter to preform on-site improvements and maintenance.
Once spring grass sprigging begins, contract time will resume until such time that the contractor has
completed all sprigging operations and is in total compliance with contract documents.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7645
September 29, 1992
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2
Subject: SYCAMORE CREEK GOLF COURSE REOPENING DELAY
Prior to establishing the alternative work plan,Park and Recreation Department and Law Department staff
had concluded that the Contractor was in default with regards to the grassing schedule and that the City
had two options: 1)To default the contractor and make demand upon the bonding company to perform
in accordance with the performance bond, or 2)work with the contractor to complete the project.
It was considered that option #1 would require an inordinate amount of time to resolve, and that this
option would postpone the completion of the project even longer than the current delay. Option#2 was
considered the most viable solution to complete the project within next year's growing season.
As of September 23, 1992, the Contractor has used 174 days out of the 228 days of the contract time,
including change orders. A response has been received from the Contractor and they have agreed to the
City's conditions as outlined above in working toward completion of the course. Once the contract is
complete, Park and Recreation Department staff and the City Attorney will review and determine the
options for assessment of liquidated damages and lost revenue due the City, if any.
If the contractor exceeds the specified contract time the City will pursue any and all liquidated damages
of $420 per day, for construction beyond the amount of days allowed per the contract. In addition, the
City will pursue a negotiated amount of projected lost revenue for the facility for days the golf course
would have been open had the Contractor met the specified grassing deadline.
Due to the required grow-in period to establish a viable grass cover,the initially projected reopening date
of April or May, 1993 will be delayed. At this time, the projected reopening of Sycamore Creek Golf
Cours i estimated for August or September of 1993.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS