Council approves $461,140 contract for covered parking at new police facility

Police Chief Joe Campbell requested council approval to enter a contract with Hutchison Recreation and Design Inc. to design, fabricate and install two covered parking structures at the new police facility, with a not-to-exceed contract value of $461,140. Campbell said the covered structures will shelter most marked patrol units; the general contractor will provide the precast foundations and the vendor will place the structures.

"Our marked units will be able to fit under these two structures," Campbell said, adding that the covered parking is primarily to protect city assets from hail, ice and weather-related wear. Councilmembers asked whether personal vehicles of on-duty officers could be parked under the canopies during storms; Campbell said the city had not finalized that policy and that the primary purpose is to protect marked units.

A council member asked whether solar panels had been considered. Campbell said the idea was discussed for the main building and for canopies but was not pursued due to substantial upfront costs, diminishing incentives, and concerns about structural load and return on investment. The council voted unanimously to approve the contract.