Council awards Volatin Park improvements using ARPA funds; members press for safety measures

City staff presented bids for the Volatin Park improvement project—a package of a new skate park, dugout reconstruction, parking resurfacing and playground equipment—saying the ARPA grant provides $1,665,400 and staff recommended awarding the combined low bid plus GameTime playground quote with a 10% contingency and identified supplemental parks funds to cover expected overages.

The low responsive construction bid and the GameTime quote together totaled about $1,640,213.51 according to staff; with a 10% contingency staff presented a project budget near $1,842,348.86 and recommended using $138,834.86 from parks funding to complete the package if needed. Staff noted the playground equipment was being acquired through a cooperative procurement and that GameTime is a competitively priced national vendor under the cooperative agreement.

Council members raised public‑safety concerns about persistent drug activity and late‑night traffic at Volatin Park. One councilmember asked whether the city could install gates or sturdier concrete barriers because citizens had been moving temporary barricades; staff said jersey‑style concrete barricades could be placed and that the police chief was preparing recommendations. Staff also said it had identified potential funding sources outside the ARPA grant to address park safety measures.

Council discussed contingency mechanics at length after one member asked whether GameTime could access the global contingency. Staff explained contingency funds are for approved change orders and are administered by staff; GameTime would not have direct access to the global contingency—the city would approve change orders and draw from the project contingency as needed. Council members asked for clarity about how much of the contingency would be reserved for the playground purchase and how change orders would be handled; staff said the 10% contingency reflects total project volume and allows staff to manage approved change orders administratively.

A councilmember moved to approve the staff recommendation including the 10% contingency and the use of identified supplemental parks funds; the motion was seconded and passed by show of hands. Staff will proceed with contract award and purchase as presented and coordinate with the police and parks staff on safety measures and implementation plans.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents with the low bidder and GameTime, set up project oversight and use contingency funds for approved change orders; council directed staff to return with recommended safety measures and associated funding options.