Title
Staff Report for a Resolution for Approval to Make Landscape Structures, Inc. the Sole Source Supplier for City Parks Playground Equipment
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution to make Landscape Structures, Inc. the sole source supplier for playground equipment proposed for future renovations and/or new City park projects.
BACKGROUND
The existing playground equipment located throughout the City's 17 parks is represented by a variety of structure manufacturers. As parks have been independently developed over several decades, and then renovated as different funding sources are found, there historically has been no thought to product continuity. Having a variety of manufactured equipment to maintain has given Public Works staff experience in equipment durability, ease of repair, as well as availability and cost of replacement parts.
Analysis
As City parks have been developed over the past several decades, different playground equipment manufacturers have been utilized for park construction projects. The variety in equipment systems has allowed staff to assess and compare durability, ability to obtain replacement parts (cost, as well as wait time), overall warranty parameters and customer service. Staff's opinion obtained through hours of work on the various equipment systems is that play structures manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. are best for maintenance purposes.
The following parks currently have Landscape Structures, Inc. playground equipment installed: Toyon (Landscape Structures, Inc. is a partner with KaBoom!, who did the renovation build in 2010); Stenzel; Cherry Grove; Memorial; Grover Cleveland; Washington Manor; Bonaire; and Floresta. Landscape Structures, Inc. was formed in 1971 and is based in Minnesota, with local parts and service provided by their certified vendor in Santa Rosa. Landscape Structures, Inc. employs approximately 300 people who manuf...
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