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Even with earlier concerns, council picks park designer
by Rick DeClue · News · February 11, 2016


The West Branch City Council selected Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental last week to design, engineer and manage development for Phase 1 of the proposed city park complex in Pedersen Valley.


The vote was unanimous, with a couple of the council members saying they were also comfortable with other firms among the three finalists.

There was no comment on Council Member Tim Shields’ request at the Jan. 19 meeting for the council to consider expanding the interview process to include two other firms — HBK Engineering and IIW Engineers — that were eliminated in the second round of consideration by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

City Administrator Matt Muckler said there had been no request to put that issue on the council’s agenda prior to the vote to approve Fehr Graham.

Phase-1 includes substantial earth work for ball fields, related concessions and restrooms, parking and driveways, and storm water retention.

Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Russell said timing on the beginning of work will depend on negotiating an agreement with Fehr Graham to include the scope of work, estimated project costs, the best time for contracting the work and weather.

Russell also said new turf on ball fields should be allowed to sit for two growing seasons before beginning play.

There will be three new ball fields in the park, not four as initially conceived. Russell said the fourth field was eliminated from preliminary plans due to space considerations and to minimize development directly over a gas pipeline that passes under the site.