In next couple of months, the Grand Terrace Dog Park which overlooks the Cities of Grand Terrace and Colton on Vista Grande, will be completed. At the past council meetings, TKE Engineering, Inc. had submitted a proposal to perform additional on-call inspections and construction management services for the Grand Terrace Dog Park along with a speed survey. G. Harold Duffey, City Manager stated that the request for these services was made at his direction. One of the chief concerns at the Dog Park is ADA Accessibility and the modification of the park so the slope is correct, making sure the trees can breathe and placing the curb base at the front. Because of this concern and possible other, it is necessary to have someone on-call when the contractor is performing the more detailed tasks to avoid any possible problems that may arise. Both Councilmembers Hussey and Wilson don’t see the need to add additional costs to the current dog park budget, and feel that the City Engineer can perform these tasks as part of his overall responsibilities to the City.
After hearing the Councilmembers concerns, Duffey said “With the significant cost of the dog park and based on his experience, the inspection service is a good investment to have especially with the location and design of the dog park. The City can have significant impacts if things are not done correctly.” Jeffery McConnell, resident of Grand Terrace retorted, “ The contractor and designer hired to perform the work at the dog park should be responsible for their work and if they don’t do it right, the contractor and designer should be held liable.” Upon further discussion with the Mayor and Councilmember Henderson, Henderson proceeded to call for the question and the measure failed with a vote of 2-2. Ayes were Darcy McNaboe and Kenneth J. Henderson and the Nays were Councilmembers Hussey and Wilson. Absent was Sylvia Robles. This vote did not affect the completion time for the construction of the park; only the inspection process and construction management.