After a successful one-month trial period, Sebastian will transfer the landscaping upkeep and maintenance of Riverview Park and Veterans Memorial from City staff to Ameron Services, a Sebastian company, at a cost of $156,450 per year. The areas are part of the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) District.
During the Jan. 13 City Council/CRA meeting, City Manager Joe Griffin described the CRA District, and especially the Riverview Park area, as the “Centerpiece of Sebastian.” As such, he stated, the area should project the best possible image, in order to “uphold the tenets of a CRA,” foremost being to promote business development and rejuvenate the District.
City staff put out a bid request for the work because, Griffin explained, “for too long, landscape standards in the CRA have been compromised by additions to park areas in other parts of the City,” putting stress on the Public Works Department to adequately meet the CRA requirements and balance the citywide work load.
The only other bidder, Conlon Landscaping of Sebastian, came in at $161,754.
Concerned about the price tag, Vice-Mayor Jerome Adams asked Griffin whether it would be cheaper to somehow accomplish the work with City staff.
“We ran those numbers,” Griffin replied, “and we felt that it would be more. Ameron is a No. 1, professional company that we can hold accountable. We have more control with a contract.”
Councilmember Andrea Coy called Ameron “an excellent choice. We have a long-time history with them. We started with their pest-control service. They have proven themselves and have an excellent reputation.”
Ameron will service Riverview Park and the Veterans Memorial sites and provide turf, ornamental and bed services “including but not limited to” lawn and rough mowing, trash and debris removal, spring cleaning, fall cutback, fertilization, tree and all other trimming, leaf removal, edging, aeration, weeding, pesticide application, mulching and irrigation system services.
In the absence of Jim Hill, City Council, convened as the Community Redevelopment Agency, voted 4-0 to award the contract to Ameron.
