Planned TeWinkle Park improvement hits snags

Deirdre Newman

The effort to enhance the softball fields at TeWinkle Park had some

bumps along the way as Mesa del Mar residents protested the removal

of 36 mature trees.

Ultimately, the trees were spared, but another bump has arisen.

The improvements might be delayed for a year, because public services

staff members recommend postponing those improvements for financial

reasons.

Tonight, city leaders will consider rejecting all bids for the

upgrade to the TeWinkle Park Athletic Complex -- which mainly

involves expanding the three softball fields -- because the low bid

came in 34% higher than the city’s estimate. If this low bidder is

awarded the contract, about $900,000 in additional funds would have

to be found within the city’s budget.

This is just one of four contracts the council will consider

approving Tuesday for the park. The others are for the skate park,

renovation of the lakes and rehabilitation of the irrigation mainline

system.

The high bid for the athletic-field upgrades reflects the

challenge of trying to construct projects during a boom in

construction.

“We, like both private and public entities, have seen in recent

months a major escalation in the cost of construction, most

particularly in the cost of construction materials and specifically

concrete and steel,” City Manager Allan Roeder said.

Staff members recommend the project be reconsidered for the

2005-06 capital-improvement program budget.

The low bid for the irrigation upgrade was 46% higher than the

city’s estimate, but because installation of the irrigation system is

critical to other projects at the park, staff members recommend

awarding the contract to the low bidder.

A bid for the skate park fared better, as the low bidder at this

point submitted a bid that was 21% lower than the city’s estimate and

staff members are recommending awarding a contract.

“I think we kind of breathed a sigh of relief when we got the bid

for the skate park,” Roeder said.

“I think it’s kind of ironic that the cost of the skate park is

about $936,000 but the overall deficit is $900,000, so basically

we’re putting the skate park before the athletic complex,” Councilman

Allan Mansoor said. “I understand the reasoning that the athletic

complex came in over what we had estimated, but nevertheless, the

skate park is being recommended to go in prior to upgrading the

athletic complex.”

The lakes renovation low bid came in 12% lower than the city’s

estimate. This project includes adding additional and more powerful

pumps, adding new biofilters and upgrading electrical systems. This

project has been of special concern to some residents, who are fans

of the nonmigrating geese and ducks and were worried about what would

happen to the waterfowl when the lakes are drained.

In April, city engineer Ernesto Munoz said the two large lakes

would be drained individually. But the city now plans to drain the

lakes at the same time, Roeder said, because of the limited time

frame it has to conduct the project and because the water circulation

system is connected to all the lakes and might not operate optimally

if the two lakes are drained separately.

The city will relocate the geese and some of the ducks during the

renovation and then bring them back to their new and improved home

after it is complete, Roeder said.

“This is something that’s delicate, and it’s different for us,”

Roeder said. “I think it’s been a good effort all the way around, and

we know that the onus is on us to really keep focus on this and make

sure it’s done properly.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers government. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.