Parks and Recreation committee approves donation spending, hears Rendiro Park update

The Parks and Recreation Committee at its June meeting approved a series of routine spending items and heard staff say Rendiro Park is on track to open before July 4.

Brock, a parks department staff member, told the committee the project’s asphalt paving begins the next day and said, “So we are on track for opening next week prior to July 4.” Committee members responded that the schedule and recent work look good.

The meeting’s main discussion focused on two donation requests. On item 26-0561 the committee approved moving forward with a donation to support Phase 3 of the skate park; the chair recorded the motion as made by Alder Dunbar and seconded by Alder Norell, and members voted in favor.

On item 26-0562 the committee considered a request to use funds from the zoo donation account to build bioactive vivariums for the education center. One committee member noted the recurring cost is about $250–$300 annually and that set-up and maintenance add roughly 40 hours of labor per year. To avoid returning for a small additional amount, the member suggested authorizing a $1,200 ceiling to cover contingencies. Brock agreed that a $1,200 authorization would provide a reasonable buffer and confirmed the requested work would outfit the entire education center.

A committee member moved to authorize up to $1,200 of zoo donation money for the vivariums; another member seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The chair said paperwork would be circulated for signatures.

The committee closed business with a motion to adjourn, which carried. No public comments were made during the meeting.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: approved (motion recorded as by Alder Norell; 2nd by Alder Bridal; unanimous)
- Item 26-0561 (skate park donation): approved (motion recorded as by Alder Dunbar; 2nd by Alder Norell; unanimous)
- Item 26-0562 (zoo donation for bioactive vivariums): authorized up to $1,200 from zoo donation fund (motion passed unanimously)

Next steps: Signed paperwork will be circulated for the approved donations and staff will continue work on Rendiro Park ahead of the planned July 4 opening.