TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and American With Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements in the Amount of $1,457,054.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements in the amount of $1,457,054.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements in the amount of $1,457,054.
• Pros: Converts an under-utilized softball field into a multi-use sports field, directly responding to current field shortages; adds ADA compliant infrastructure and grading improving park-wide accessibility; strengthens pedestrian access and circulation; enables flexible use for multiple sports.
• Cons: Eliminates a single sport amenity from park system; commits Park Impact Fee funds that could potentially be used for other Park specific priorities.
Option 2: Deny the Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements in the amount of $1,457,054.
• Pros: Maintains current field configuration for softball specific programming.
• Cons: Delays or prevents implementation of critical accessibility improvements; fails to address the growing demand for multi-use fields among youth and adult sports leagues; restricts the ability to serve a broader range of users and programming needs; halts progress on a project that has already received significant investment.
Background Information
The Dallas White Park Multi-Purpose Field Project (P24DWF) and Phased ADA Transition Project (GM20AT) involves the transformation of the existing softball field at Dallas White Park into a versatile, multi-purpose field with ADA compliant infrastructure to better serve the recreational needs of the community. The City secured Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) services to collaborate with the selected Engineering Firm to ensure cost-effective design, value engineering and adherence to best practices throughout the construction process. Key components of the project include the following:
Ø Proper grading and drainage.
Ø Installation of sod, irrigation, fencing, goals, backstops, light emitting diode (LED) lighting, electrical improvements, and related amenities.
Ø Accessibility compliance.
A Pre-Construction Work Assignment was awarded to Wharton-Smith, Inc. and an Engineering Work Assignment was awarded to DMK Associates, Inc. The Fourteenth Amendment supports construction services enhancing these amenities at Dallas White Park.
Upon evaluation of the project, the use of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) Continuing Services Contract has been identified as the most expedient path to complete this project. The CMaR contracting process includes the following two phases:
Ø Phase One: The Contractor is selected and issued a Work Assignment for the Pre-Construction Phase. During this portion of the project, the contractor evaluates the scope of work, obtains quotes from subcontractors, and develops the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).
Ø Phase Two: The Construction Phase follows the Pre-Construction Phase. During this phase, the contractor proceeds with the actual construction work based on the agreed GMP. The Fourteenth Amendment to the CMaR Contract No. 2023-17.001 represents the authorization and funding for this second phase of the project.
The Parks & Recreation Department, along with the City’s Project Manager provided a direct selection of Wharton-Smith, Inc., as the preferred CMaR to perform the construction services at Dallas White Park. Accordingly, staff requests City Commission approval of the Fourteenth Amendment to CMaR Contract No. 2023-17.001 with Wharton-Smith, Inc., in the amount of $1,457,054 to begin the second step of the CMaR process.
The Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Fourteenth Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 for Construction Services Contract Phase II by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Construction of the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on September 18, 2025, for signature subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Quality of Life.
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $487,828 is allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in Project No. P24DWF, account number 152-3036-572.63-00. Upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget an additional $1,100,000 is allocated in account number 152-3036-572.63-00 for this project, for available funding of $1,587,828.
Procurement
Phase II - Construction Services for the Dallas White Park Multi-Use Field and ADA Improvements Construction Manager at Risk Contract No. 2023-17.001 was procured pursuant Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section 2-406 Professional services selection under Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), F.S. § 287.055 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Wharton-Smith, Inc.
750 Monroe Road
Sanford, FL 32771
Attachments:
1. Fourteenth Amendment to Contract 2023-17.001
2. Contract 2023-17.001
3. Dallas White Park Site Plan
4. Florida Division of Corporations Document
Prepared by: Cheryl Greiner, Business Operations Manager
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks and Recreation Director