Brookhaven City Council Approves First Parks Bond Project

BROOKHAVEN, GA -- The Brookhaven City Council has awarded the first contract under the $40 million parks bond, approved by voters in the November general election. The council unanimously approved a contract in the amount of $201,226 to Ed Castro Landscape Inc. for invasive plant removal throughout the Brookhaven parks system and greenspace properties.

The scope of work includes the removal of 25 non-native species including kudzu, English ivy, mimosa, privet bamboo and others. To ensure the safe application of herbicide to protect people and the precious understory of native plants, spraying will not take place until after a professional project manager has been selected. The work is expected to be complete by the end of the summer.

On Nov. 6, voters approved a referendum which dedicates $40 million to capital improvements in Brookhaven parks and facilities, identified in City Council master plans. The bonds were validated by DeKalb Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee in a hearing conducted Jan. 8.

City Manager Christian Sigman updated the Mayor and Council on two other developments regarding the parks bond. A competitive bid process to appoint a professional project manager to manage the rest of the parks projects was completed and evaluations are underway. Sigman advised a recommendation would be made at the Jan. 22 City Council meeting. Also at that meeting, Sigman said he expects to have recommendations for appointments to the Brookhaven Parks Bond Citizen Oversight Board. A total of 15 applications were received to fill the five-member committee.

In a related development, the Council unanimously approved a contract in the amount of $325,000 to Lose & Associates to complete the engineering and design documents from 60% to 100% for Brookhaven Park.

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