The City Council on Dec. 17 authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Hellas Construction Inc. to improve Joe Machado Field. The maximum cost of the project is $60,000, according to the staff report by Community Services Manager David Hart.
Background
In June 2016, the council awarded a contract to Hellas Construction, Inc., to design and build an artificial turf field at Joe Machado Field, according to Hart’s report.
“The new field at JMF was completed mid-2017 and cost approximately $1,275,000. The field was funded through a donation of $500,000 from Anheuser-Busch with the remainder financed through Hellas over an eight year term. In Fiscal Year 2023-24, the City made its last payment on the field to Hellas,” Hart wrote.
“JMF is currently the only ball field in Avalon. In addition to hosting all Avalon Schools softball, football and soccer practices and home games, the field is utilized by more than 10 entities producing more than 30 events each year including Old Man Rugby, NFL Play 60, Catalina Bison Invitation LaCrosse Tournament, and others,” Hart wrote.
“Since installation of the turf field, there have been no interruptions to scheduled games and/or events due to field maintenance or unsafe conditions,” Hart wrote.
“Overall maintenance ot the field is nominal; however, due to its high level of use, the need currently exists to replenish the infill over the surface of the field. In addition, the turf at thigh side areas—batter box, catcher box, pitching mound/alley and bases 1,2, and 3—needs to be replaced,” Hart wrote.
According to his report, the Municipal Code allows the city to hire a service without bidding when only once source provides the needed product or service.
“In this case, Hellas is the manufacturer and sole source provider of all the turf components at JMF—including the EcoTerm Infill needed to replenish the field,” Hart wrote.
