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Council to schedule workshop on Riverside Park after public design, cost questions; some members seek scope reductions
Summary
Council members asked for a workshop to review Riverside Park design and cost estimates after consultants' award and a council member’s request to consider removing lower‑priority elements (example: fishing pier) or substitute permeable pathways to reduce project cost; city manager recommended a workshop to consider phasing and alternates.
Council members asked staff to schedule a workshop to review the Riverside Park design, cost estimates and potential scope adjustments after staff reported the consolidated park estimate exceeded the available $3.8 million budget.
Council member Kravitz noted the design had received a design award but said public input had shown mixed preferences and that the project was only about 60% complete; he suggested examining elements that garnered the fewest resident votes (he cited a fishing pier among the least‑favored items) and considering less‑expensive, permeable trail surfaces rather than continuous concrete sidewalks to save money and improve drainage and user comfort for joggers. Kravitz provided a high‑level list of potential savings for council discussion and asked staff to present alternatives.
City Manager Carlos Bahia told the council staff was recommending a workshop to review phasing, procurement strategies (items the city could buy directly rather than through the general contractor) and prioritization, noting the total current estimate for both park sections approaches $5.7 million while the city budgeted $3.8 million.
After discussion, council instructed the city manager to schedule a Riverside Park workshop; earlier attempts to suspend the rules to hear an impromptu briefing failed but council later approved the formal motion to hold the workshop. Staff said options could include phasing the project or substituting lower‑cost materials to preserve the park’s most popular features while lowering cost and potential environmental impacts.
Action/directions: Council authorized the city manager to set a workshop date and asked that staff present cost comparisons, potential phasing and procurement options at that workshop.
