HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-2022_Open Session_Item 21_Perez, Roy_RedactedA COMPLETE LANDSCAPE SERVICE
score uc.rmaea . oat. »ras
June 1, 2022
To all City Council members and Mayor,
I am writing to you as a concerned resident and a business owner RP Landscape & Irrigation here in the
City of San Bernardino for 33 years. You are about to vote on item 21 for park maintenance
agreement throughout the city.
We are currently maintaining all city parks, we were the contractor who took over in July 2014 when the
city went through bankruptcy. As you know the parks were in much need at that time. We were able to
turn them around on a strict budget and much more work is still needed.
In the past 8 years we have maintained all city parks. There were no capital improvements during 8 years
of service. We have requested to correct many of the deficiencies but because of budget restraints we
were not able to upgrade.
We worked with what the budget was giving to us no more and no less and we were able to get them
green again. The sprinkler system is very antiquated and much of it needs to be updated. The rodents were
also out of control but in some of the parks we have been able to eradicate them, but other parks have
been a challenge. Bait stations are needed to be place but because of liability and public use it was never
done.
Yes there is much room for improvements and with this new contract city staffing is recommended to
spend $2.2 million dollars on over seeding when the money can be spent on improving the irrigation
systems in all the parks, for example like Blair Park there are two pumps that have not worked for 8 years
that's why it's all dry on the north side and also at Nunez Park on west side is all dead because the pumps
are out and Irrigation system has been abandoned. There are too many to list, but every park needs
irrigation improvements. Nicolson park was taken over by homeless population and was vandalize
electrical wires stolen through out the park including irrigation wires.
The $2.2 million would be great to get these systems operational with smart controllers and with water
conservation systems. A smart sprinkler controller allows you to adjust watering schedules from a
Laptop or app on your phone and also acts as remote controller. A smart controller works daily
with the weather station, if temperature drops so does the controller to save water.
Parris Hill park has the same problems: the pumps not working, and a sprinkler timer broken and to over
seed them would be a waste when the Irrigation system needs much needed upgrades and $2.2 million
would fix it all and more. Plus, it would conserve water and save money. The City water department
would love it too.
We have been working as a local contractor since 4995 with the city and as local vendor, we take pride in
thework we do here in the city, and we employ over 40 employees 95 % are residents of San Bernardino.
I find it hard how staffing is chosen a Van Nuys company to maintain City Parks and spending $3.4
million a year when a local company is half the price $1.8 million with over seeding.
As you know we are in a drought and to over seed will increase more water usage when the money can be
used to improve the irrigation systems to a smart system, install new drinking fountains, exercise
equipment and trash cans made out of concrete install them throughout the parks this is what missing and
what I saw worked was having security company working throughout the night keeping the parks secured
and with the capital improvements do not get vandalize.
I also want to mention Secombe Lake we were hauligg 12 to 14 truckloads daily from the homeless
population with their tents, picking up trash was beyond the scope of work in the contract at no additional
charge to the city. We would send additional crews of 18 men to help pick up trash because we were
local, we were able to do that. This was done daily at. Secombe Lake but because of the homeless
population, there was trash everywhere but we picked it up with only one complaint from us that disposal
fees were getting tremendously expensive, are contract price did not include picking up homeless trash.
My employees have had knives pulled out on them and they have been threatened with violence, but they
would continue to pick up the trash. We sent an email to the city asking if we could dispose Secombe
Lake trash at the city yard, and we would not charge an extra service fee we worked with the city to do
this.
To go with an outside company would not be in the best interest of the city and residents and to spend
$3 A million on over seeding would be a waste of money and over -priced when it could be used for other
capital park improvements. Plus, the seed they are recommend is the winter rye when it should be
Perennial Rye goes seed a much darker green color grass.
I highly recommend going with alternative and the best company with 8 years' experience in the
park maintenance here in the City of San Bernardino (please see are references) and has the best
interest for the residents and the City and it would be more cost effective. I believe local vendors
have the advantage to handle this contract and plus the revenue that we would spend with other
local vendors and suppliers they would benefit too. Plus, we're almost half the price $1.8 with over
seeding and without over seeding $1.6. With are true price we would increase staffing level to
provide a more excellent guaranteed service.
I highly recommended using funds to do capital improvements drinking fountains, trash cans receptacles,
exercises equipment, full time security service and making the parks more attractive with irrigation
upgrades that will save water and have the grass greener.
If city members have any questions, I will be more gladly to answer any questions or to meet with you
Thank you Kindly.
Respectfully,
Q',i �
Roy Perez
iRPRP L d & Irrigation
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