[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085161,"mediaKeyId","2904119-7711c120fcfa8efd10ae34a26cf1ffbc","parentId",2904119,"title","Council gives staff direction to plan University Place 30th birthday bash with up to $246,500 budget","audioSeconds",6625,"startMs",4100000,"endMs",10725000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904119-7711c120fcfa8efd10ae34a26cf1ffbc&start=4100&end=10725","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904119-7711c120fcfa8efd10ae34a26cf1ffbc/thumbnail_4100000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085161/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-gives-staff-direction-to-plan-University-Place-30th-birthday-bash-with-up-to-246500-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085161-d6884b7492a974d98b29033ce702ca97/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545930&Signature=E3IdYfGiiUUpFSurwdg07ypXeb5v3gPtRu5QxnzQvom07yXLvWmzbKnxVKYIW0A22ZIWZo0faGDOYZpm8pKbxmIvTd3ldnvGugiRhtvDVJ3fdZomHxyeCsG1-F6xHmUaKDHDW3D5C4~l70nWb1qwOkquo-B-Jz5orKFTcQTCTjFW6nKCFdKh4hlswwAQoJ2ZZLNVIZkiaFKqopdYcLQu0SrSMGQx-gi8QQ0bgBEyf217XilA7UNUZP7lhxsW~5nqFiAHN~lIJyV1WpP1~xwhicbtZzW2SbnKkIgqB93BsJKqh5Bm8cJ9QRZs7EkmxwJklTwF4j9MSEp64i7IyllvNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University Place, WA","date","2025-04-09T04:37:04.91Z","article","City staff presented a detailed plan for a one-day 30th birthday celebration in University Place, and the council gave direction for staff to continue planning with a not-to-exceed budget in the mid-$200,000 range.

City Manager Matt Suggs and Events Director Marion Holloway laid out the proposal for a Saturday, Aug. 23 event at SERC Park from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Attractions described included a main music stage anchored by headline act Kalimba, a beer garden, a regional outdoor makers market (up to 50 booths), a skateboard “Skate Jam” competition, a kids’ stage, community booths and a hot-air balloon glow as a finale. The staff estimate split costs into attractions ($58,000), kids/teens programming ($49,000), back-of-house rentals and facilities ($109,000) and staff overtime ($21,000). Added enhancements for regular annual events (Movie in the Park and Oktoberfest) raised the initial estimate to roughly $215,000; during discussion council members and staff referenced a $246,500 maximum figure for the overall carry-forward request.

Suggs told council the event would be funded through the city’s carry-forward budget process if council authorized the expense; staff noted that some of the available funds are interest earned on federal grant money and that any final amendment would come back to the council in the formal budget process. Holloway said certain deposits and vendor commitments have already been made (staff cited roughly $6,300 in committed deposits for Movie in the Park) and that many contracts (bands, balloon operator, stage, shuttles) are being lined up now to meet booking timelines.

Council members asked about logistics and cost-control options. Staff described a two-route shuttle plan using Curtis High School and the city hall parking as remote lots, Uber/Lyft drop zones, an enhanced security plan with an on-site local security contractor and off-duty officers, and portable restroom counts. Holloway and Suggs estimated peak site attendance around 5,000 for the day and roughly 2,000 on-site at peak times. Staff also outlined sponsorship and volunteer opportunities; council members encouraged aggressive pursuit of sponsors but cautioned that sponsorship sales require staff time and contract details.

After extended discussion the council signaled consensus to proceed, asking staff to pursue sponsorships and volunteer roles where appropriate, to seek cost savings where practical, and to return the budget amendment through the city’s carry-forward process. The council gave staff a direction to proceed up to a maximum not-to-exceed budget of approximately $246,500 and asked staff to provide public-facing talking points about the event’s value and funding when the carry-forward is presented.

Why it matters

The event is intended to create a regionally attractive community celebration, support local small businesses and community groups, and mark the city’s 30th anniversary. It will require cross-departmental coordination for public safety, sanitation, parking and marketing.

What’s next

Staff will continue contracting for bands, balloon operators and rentals, pursue sponsorships, finalize shuttle and security plans, and return to council with the formal carry-forward budget amendment and any recommended cost changes or sponsorship offsets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hybrid U.P. City Council Meeting, April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council signaled support for a one‑day 30th birthday celebration at SERC Park on Aug. 23, including a balloon glow, headline band Kalimba and a market; staff was directed to proceed with planning, seek sponsorships and return budget items through the carry-forward process with a $246,500 not-to-exceed figure.","taxTitle","University Place, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",51958,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085166,"University Place council awards $1.27 million contract for Grandview/30th roundabout",949,1667000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904119-7711c120fcfa8efd10ae34a26cf1ffbc&start=1667&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904119-7711c120fcfa8efd10ae34a26cf1ffbc/thumbnail_1667000.jpg","/articles/6085166/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/University-Place-council-awards-127-million-contract-for-Grandview30th-roundabout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085166-f086275bb153c3489e4fb3867bfeeb31/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545930&Signature=PBq-uyO8pc3Dpid1nHCnBqR5yHcHaYUtx24XRsIrgpFC20eDMKtsMso57H65FSZJkWYJYtov5FYQ5Hs7FfQCkvp~zI66tU-rkXyecIqbmX7yqUqexp3M7qUZ3rBEVARX1U5Eri42Pho3wwu3R0z42-T7VhQ96H6OspX97-DD0XVS77aaaHriEto96vLV6l72xw-irsgvtZDbdMhTfXELy62tYR7gM6xIFXItgkU1~5TDPekjmuSwROdZMaKFyf~p4frLm-McJ2k1~5sA7uXH3DjeJohmKUSL7q2dlhbW3UOKYzG9R5M-vz9IrVj~7mFYixWaKyA~C8qWvkESsHuqAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University Place City Council on April 7 authorized the city manager to award a $1,266,348.03 construction contract to RW Scott Construction for a roundabout at 30th Street West and Grandview Drive West.

Public Works Director Jack Eklund told the council the city received seven bids and that RW Scott submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid: $993,932 for Schedule A (roundabout and roadway work) and $272,416.03 for Schedule B (replacement of an aging water main). “For this project, we received 7 bids and RW Scott Construction submitted the lowest responsive responsible bid in the amount of $1,266,348.03,” Eklund said during his staff report.

The council adopted the award after discussion about funding, schedule and utility coordination. Eklund said most of Schedule A is funded through a Transportation Improvement Board grant “now totaling over $764,000,” and that the city secured an additional $100,000 from the board to cover bid prices that exceeded the original budget. He said Schedule B will be paid by Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities) because it replaces an asbestos-cement water main with ductile iron pipe to improve reliability.

Council members pressed staff on timing and coordination with utilities and nearby residents. Eklund said the contract prohibits work that would significantly affect traffic during the school year; substantial disruptive work will not begin until after school ends in June, and the work is expected to wrap up in October barring weather or street-lighting delays. The contract packages the road and utility work under one contract to reduce overlap; Eklund said Tacoma Water’s main work will likely start first with some overlap between schedules.

Council discussion noted the project grew from resident concerns about safety at the nearby 30th/Grandview area and that staff developed a solution by siting the roundabout at 30th and Grandview to achieve the needed traffic calming. Members praised the engineering team for securing additional grant funding and for a competitive bid process; Eklund told the council the seven bids were “all within around 10% of each other.”

Motion and vote

The motion to authorize the city manager to award the contract to RW Scott Construction for Schedule A ($993,932) and Schedule B ($272,416.03), and to execute necessary contract documents, passed unanimously. The clerk called the roll; all members present voted in favor.

Why it matters

The roundabout is meant to reduce speeds, improve sight lines and increase safety on a primary school route near Colgate Park and local schools. The city’s choice to replace an aging asbestos-cement water main as part of the package aims to reduce later disruptions and improve water system durability.

What’s next

Staff will finalize contract documents and coordinate pre-construction notifications for residents and schools; construction will be timed to minimize student-travel impacts and is expected to proceed through the summer into fall. RW Scott Construction is scheduled to begin work after school is out.","Council authorized the city manager to award a $1,266,348.03 contract to RW Scott Construction for a roundabout at 30th Street and Grandview Drive; the project is funded primarily by a Transportation Improvement Board grant, Tacoma Water contributions for pipe replacement and a roughly $230,000 city share.","actionData","errors"]

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Council gives staff direction to plan University Place 30th birthday bash with up to $246,500 budget

University Place council awards $1.27 million contract for Grandview/30th roundabout