CC MEETING: May 7, 2013
DATE: April 30, 2013
TO: Leonard Martin, City Manager
FROM: Beth Bormann, Assistant City Manager & Scott Whitaker, Parks & Recreation Director
Title
Consider Approval For Purchase Of Better Billy Bunker System To Renovate All Bunkers On The Creek Course From TDI In An Amount Not To Exceed $371,000.00.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, the Indian Creek Golf Club has suffered flooding to large portions of the golf course. One of the hardest hit areas has been the bunkers on the Creek Course. These bunkers have continued to deteriorate and become a quality of play issue and maintenance drain. Both city staff and Eagle management agree, because of the customer impact and speed of play, improvements must be made for the long-term benefit and sustainability of this community asset.
This past year Eagle has implemented several complete bunker renovation projects at key courses within their portfolio. They have also worked with staff and piloted two different methods at Indian Creek. While no method will be totally fool proof in a flooding environment, we all believe the method we are jointly recommending is the best for our golf course. Staff has engaged our agronomist consultant and completed extensive research and evaluated the methods at our course and other golf clubs. We are in unanimous agreement that the Better Billy Bunker is the best business decision. Staff has seen these bunkers perform after a heavy rain and have been extremely impressed.
There are a variety of bunker solutions available and we have been monitoring and benchmarking solution for several years. Eagle and staff feel this product is the best business solution and best value for Indian Creek Golf Course.
An RFP was sent out through Purchasing and five bids were received. Two bids did not submit the certification to install this product so they were not considered. Of the three that were further reviewed, one contractor had significantly more experience. TDI has completed Cowboys Club and Westridge Golf Course this past year. The other two did not appear to have installed more than a couple bunkers at a golf course. TDI has finished their projects on time and under budget without any issues from the golfers during construction, which we believe to be a positive customer service factor.
Better Billy Bunkers uses pea gravel and polymer that, once in place, adds improved drainage of water and better surface for the sand to stay in place and be easily raked back into position. This product also comes with a 10 year limited warranty.
If approved, the project would begin around the first of June and take no more than 90 days to complete, including all new sand in every Creek Course bunker. This would have minimal to no impact on golfers while the bunkers were under renovation.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The funding of this project is unique. Eagle will contribute $224,000.00 towards the complete bunker renovation and the City will fund the remaining $147,000.00 from our golf capital funds. These are proceeds from the golf course after the annual debt payment has been made.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
The impact of not making these improvements will continue to affect playability and maintenance costs.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff and Eagle recommend using the Better Billy Bunker system to renovate all the bunkers on the Creek Course. We also recommend TDI as the company to do the work with a not to exceed amount of $371,000.00.