Council weighs portable LED screens for Carter Park; asks staff for vendor references, insurance and logistics

Parks and Recreation staff recommended purchasing up to eight portable LED poster panels to form a weather-rated screen for Carter Park, presenting the technology as an option to support daytime World Cup watch parties, movie nights, and community events.

Staff said the modular units (about two feet by six feet each) can be joined to create a screen roughly 16 feet wide, are rated IP65 for dust and rain, store in padded flight cases and would cost roughly $25,000-$30,000 for the recommended set. The staff recommendation proposed using Parks & Rec savings and exploring sponsorships and rentals to recover cost.

Councilmembers welcomed the idea but raised operational concerns and requested additional information: lead time from vendors, warranty details, insurance options, vendor customer references, storage and transport logistics, staffing plans for setup and event supervision, and a written parking and security plan. Council also requested confirmation of substantial completion for the park (staff said the outstanding stair-lighting issue is being fixed and notice of completion expected in mid-May).

No purchase authorization was given at the meeting. Parks staff said they will gather the requested vendor references, warranty and insurance details, and sample demonstrations where possible, and return with a full operational plan and fee schedule. Council asked staff to prioritize written plans for storage, staffing, liability and event logistics before any acquisition.