Agreement. On January 22, 2025 the County sent a response rejecting Standard’s
Notice of Termination and reciting a number of breaches on the part of Standard. On
January 30, 2025, Standard sent another letter stating, inter alia, that its termination
notice was valid, that Standard will not manage Playland in 2025, and the County’s
breach claims were frivolous. Thereafter on February 4, 2025 the County sent a letter to
Standard’s attorneys escalating the dispute to arbitration pursuant to Section 43(ii) of
the Second Restated Agreement. In accordance with the Second Restated Agreement
the parties have selected arbitrators and have each submitted documents in support of
their claims. The arbitration hearing is scheduled to commence on August 12, 2025.
In order to open the iconic Playland Amusement Park for a portion of the 2025
operating season, the County will need to hire a company to inspect specific rides,
secure all necessary supplies and parts to operate the rides, repair and thereafter
maintain the rides. Standards abrupt departure leaves the County with little to no time
to properly carry out all of this work. Standard left little or no spare parts in inventory,
in some cases did not properly winterize rides and a number of rides were left
dis-assembled.
In order to protect County property and personnel and facilitate the return to operation
of the Playland Amusement Park as quickly as possible, the County is declaring an
emergency situation. As an emergency, this situation could not await competitive
bidding. The County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation has selected
Zamperla, Inc. to perform the necessary emergency work, which includes inspecting,
repairing, replacing and maintaining these specific rides and procuring necessary
supplies and parts. Zamperla is a worldwide company that was established in 1966
and which owns and operates rides throughout the world. The County owns 11 rides
that were manufactured by Zamperla and a number of other rides manufactured by a
company that is no longer in business. Zamperla has the not only the familiarity with
the rides and but has the expertise and ability to provide the parts and maintenance.
Based on the above, it’s in the best interest of the County to enter into an agreement
with Zamperla on an emergency basis as it is the most timely and fiscally efficient
solution and will safeguard the County’s property and secure the public safety of park
attendees and staff.”
Mr. Wishnie said, “I direct the Secretary to the Board of Acquisition & Contract to
include the memo from the Commissioner Parks, Recreation and Conservation as part
of the minutes of today’s meeting.”
Acquisition & Contract.
Minutes of the meeting 5/1/25 and the SEQR Review for agenda items.
R. Sculky
Mr. Wishnie moved to receive and file the foregoing minutes and SEQR review,
which were duly seconded and approved.