Council committee advances Andre’s Park electrical work after AARP grant announced

Councilman Morrow moved to place a contract from G&B Electric to upgrade electrical service at Andre’s Memorial Park on the next council meeting agenda and amended that motion to request emergency placement so work can proceed sooner.

Director Burger described the project as a state‑bid, Sourcewell/Gordian contract to update wiring at the park by the farmers market, improve lighting for flags and seasonal displays, and support future site planning. Staff reported a quote of $131,374 and said they had trimmed roughly $25,000 from the proposal by adjusting the scope and pursuing in‑house civil work.

Council members asked whether the city needed to act immediately. Staff said the bid pricing is guaranteed through July and recommended voting in July to lock the price and allow work to begin in time for Veterans Day. Committee members voiced assent to placing the item on the next agenda as an emergency; the committee’s action in the transcript was a voice vote recorded as affirmative.

Director Burger also announced that the city has been awarded $15,000 from AARP to support improvements at Andre’s Memorial Park. Staff said the city will issue a media release about the grant, thanked volunteers for opening-day activities on June 6, and reminded the public that the farmers market opens July 9 at 4:00 p.m.

The committee closed Parks and Recreation after making the agenda referral. The next formal step is council consideration of the contract and any required readings; the committee flagged Veterans Day as a target for substantial completion if the city secures the pricing and approves the work.