Council delays Davis Street park acquisition work pending grant award

City staff recommended the Rheonale City Council postpone spending local funds on title reports and a record of survey for a proposed Davis Street park acquisition until after an expected state land-and-water conservation grant decision, and the council voted 3-0 to continue the item to February 2026.

The presentation explained the city could avoid committing local funds for title work — estimated by staff at roughly $3,000 for current title report fees and previously about $4,500 for surveying — until an official grant award decision is made, which staff said they anticipate in February 2026. Staff also told the council that if the city were to accept a grant, some grants may limit future uses of the land.

Councilmember O'Rourke, who said she initially requested the item be placed on the agenda, told colleagues she would prefer not to bill the school district for lot-line adjustments if grant funds could cover the cost. She said she would meet with the school superintendent at an upcoming meeting to discuss inclusion of an additional sliver of land near the ball field.

Staff noted that most of the facilities on or near the site likely need investment — for parking, dugouts, the field and accessibility — before additional amenities could be added. Staff also said some state grant scoring disadvantages can arise when a proposed site lies within a given distance of preexisting parks.

On a motion to continue the item until February 2026 or until the grant decision, the council voted 3-0 in favor.

No purchase, lot-line adjustment, or grant acceptance took place at the meeting; staff will report back after the grant award decision and after consultations with the school district.