Council approves $96,840 for clear panels at Town Center Community Park soccer field after public questions about cost

The council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 20 clear polycarbonate panels from ePlastics for the Town Center Community Park sports complex and appropriated $96,840 from general fund reserves for the purchase.

The item description presented to council stated the panels are for soccer field improvements at the Town Center Community Park sports complex. The consent item was pulled for public comment; a resident who identified themself as Truth asked why staff had underestimated the purchase cost and said the item initially appeared to be below $50,000 but later required an additional $38,000. Truth asked whether staff had tested sightlines when the bleachers were installed and recommended that project cost estimates err on the high side.

No detailed staff explanation of the cost increase appears in the public transcript. The council moved, seconded and voted to approve the resolution; the clerk recorded the action as carrying unanimously with council present.

Why this matters: The appropriation uses general fund reserves and funds a public facility improvement used by park and sports users.

Details: The motion to approve the consent item passed without recorded dissent. The transcript does not include a staff response that reconciles the exact prior estimate and the supplemental appropriation amount; the commenter requested that staff “look into that for us and bring it back up.”