Board discusses bond timing and whether package will include $600,000 for playgrounds

Board members discussed timing for a planned bond sale and the possibility of including funds for playground improvements at the Feb. 12 meeting.

A board member asked whether the bond sale process has completed and was told Stevens will return with bid results and a recommended bid; the board will have to approve a bond resolution before moving forward. Staff said the recommendation typically follows acceptance of the lowest responsible bid and that the board would see the resolution at a subsequent meeting, likely in April or May.

The board raised whether the borrowing package should include an additional $600,000 for playground equipment and related site work such as dirt work, drainage and concrete. A board member asked, "To approve a sale if we are borrowing 600,000 extra for playground," and staff replied that they have done preliminary equipment-cost checks (naming Davis Playgrounds) but would need to develop more detailed, phased cost estimates before putting that scope into the bond package.

Board members asked the staff to return with more detailed cost information for playground equipment and site work before a final decision on including any extra borrowing in the bond sale. No formal bond resolution or vote on borrowing for playgrounds was taken at the meeting.