In an unexpected announcement during the Monday, January 10, Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Work Session, Community Manager Alina Cochran reported that she had received bids from three of six companies contacted for quotes on handling landscape maintenance for the Association -- a task that has up 'til now been handled by the in-house maintenance department.
The Board did not discuss of the proposals, but quickly approved the item for action on the January 26 Open Meeting agenda. But it was clear that the idea of outsourcing landscape maintenance has been on the table during frequent closed sessions held by the Board this year to discuss legal and personnel issues.
If a landscaping contract is awarded, the change would be in keeping with other decisions over the last few years that have moved day-to-day functions of the Association -- such as security and administration -- from in-house staffing to contracted service agreements.
In a telephone interview with The Times following the Work Session, SLLA President Randy Zielsdorf said the Board's consideration of an outsourced solution for maintenance has not been easy or unanimous.
“The appearance of our community is looking old and tired," he said, "and the one thing that would help spruce the place up is a plan to start improving the outward appearances and landscaping. So, at that point, do you build that expertise in-house or outsource?”
He explained that initial discussions of the future of maintenance began in the Fall of 2009, but had been put aside to give new management a chance to evaluate the community’s needs -- and the department’s abilities -- before making a recommendation.
Late in 2010, Zielsdorf said, discussion began again in earnest. Bids were solicited from six companies, he explained, and the Board interviewed the three responding bidders.
"I was very impressed with each of the three companies," Zielsdorf said. "They were very knowledgeable people -- far beyond what I was expecting."
Of those three, a preferred contractor -- apparently one from outside the county -- has been identified. Zielsdorf said the company has expressed interest in establishing a base of operations in the area, with a group of employees that would remain in Seven Lakes.
“It would be the same faces week after week,” he said.
Zielsdorf said the proposed contract includes a three-year fixed price and he anticipated, at worst case, the change from in-house to outsourcing would be revenue neutral.
He also said that, rather than completely eliminating the in-house maintenance department, he is in favor of maintaining a reduced staff for general repairs while outsourcing the landscaping work.
Responding to a question about existing maintenance equipment, Zielsdorf said he wants to take a wait-and-see approach with the proposed contract and that he will recommend doing nothing with the equipment for at least a year.
