District pays bulk of grandstand bill; board debates fixing drain and pursuing escrow amid legal dispute

Board members heard a financial update that the district paid a large partial invoice this week for the grandstands and press box project — roughly $861,000 — funded primarily from remaining 2023 bond proceeds and about $220,000 from capital reserve. A presenter said approximately $200,000 remains outstanding on that project.

Separately, the board discussed an ongoing escrow and drainage dispute that is preventing access to certain funds. Board members reported that a previously existing 2x2 drain on the site was covered during construction, that Crabtree (the prime contractor or subcontractor referenced in the discussion) declined to reinstall the drain, and that K&W engineers must precisely locate and mark the old drain so the district can determine responsibility for reinstallation.

Board members described continuing legal work with the district solicitor and said the district had submitted test results for the new underground system to a reviewer referred to in the transcript as "D"; the board is awaiting a final determination from that reviewer. Meanwhile, the maintenance building has experienced water intrusion; the full corrective option — excavating and rebuilding the parking lot with new stormwater infrastructure — carried an estimate discussed during the meeting of roughly $200,000 or more.

Some board members argued for obtaining local contractor quotes and proceeding to reinstall the drain now (and seek reimbursement later) to stop ongoing damage; others cautioned that compliance with stormwater regulations and proper design are required and that any work must be coordinated with engineering and legal advice. The meeting did not record a final directive to fund the drain or an escrow release; the dispute and the outstanding project balance remained unresolved at adjournment.