At a regular meeting of the Park and Downtown Improvement Corporation, staff presented procurement results for a smart irrigation request for proposals (RFP) for multiple athletic fields and recommended rejecting the single response because required proposal forms were incomplete.

Glenn (parks staff) and Dora Trejo (parks project presenter) told the paddock board that PACE Turf Solutions was the sole bidder but failed to complete required documentation (the package noted manufacturers and other items that must be included). Staff recommended rejecting that bid and rebidding. Board members expressed concern that only one firm bid; staff said they had circulated 8–12 bid packets and advertised the RFP but local contractors are heavily booked. The board directed staff to reissue the RFP with options that allow phasing of the work (for example, prioritize game fields first and add practice fields later) and to tighten product specifications to improve comparability across proposals.

Board action: a motion to reject the sole irrigation bid as presented was made and seconded; the paddock voted in favor and staff will rebid the project with phasing and clarified product requirements. The board discussion specified a preference to prioritize the primary game field(s) and to aim for irrigation in place by next season, if procurement timelines permit.

Staff also presented quotes for 90% blockage windscreens for the pickleball and tennis courts from three vendors (USA Shades, Pioneer Athletics and Fence Screens) and noted that the windscreens are city-funded (not a paddock-funded request). The board discussed logos on windscreens and material choices.

Park improvements updates included new park signage with rules and emergency numbers; new community park signs installed with paddock board assistance; and a municipal swimming pool staff and program update: the pool is scheduled to open June 3; swim-lesson registration will be posted April 15; aquatic-staff hiring is underway with staff reporting about 26 positions being recruited, ten instructors for the Tiger Swim program and additional high-school lifeguard trainees.

Why it matters: improving irrigation and court windscreen infrastructure affects field quality, athlete safety and the city’s ability to host leagues and tournaments. The rebid with phasing aims to increase contractor participation and reduce the risk of months-long delays that would push improvements past the next playing season.

The paddock board voted to reject the bid, asked staff to rebid with phased options, and signaled willingness to prioritize game fields first so at least part of the system could be in service by the next season.