City manager: restroom CIP bids nearly $700,000 over budget; Confluence selected for aquatics design

During the city manager's report, staff said bids for supplemental CIP restroom projects (Corby Grove, Eagles Field, Hockman Park, Hyde Park and Northeast Park) came in nearly $700,000 over earlier cost estimates. City staff had previously set aside roughly $310,000 to account for inflation and other increased costs, leaving an estimated shortfall of about $385,000 for the collection of projects.

The manager said a special session was scheduled the following afternoon to discuss options for handling the shortfall. Council directed staff to bring proposals on how to address the funding gap.

Separately, the firm Confluence was selected in April to design a shallow‑depth swimming pool at Hyde Park and a splash park at the Northside Complex near Krug Park. Staff and consultants met recently to develop design concepts that will be shared with the public this summer.

Council did not take a final action on funding at the meeting; staff will present options at the scheduled session.