Board votes to enter executive session on Carrier Park bids as officials weigh bond anticipation note

At a meeting focused on the Carrier Park project, board members voted to enter an executive session to discuss potential construction contracts, the project schedule and options for a bond anticipation note to finance phase 3 work.

The discussion centered on how much the board might commit to a bond anticipation note while the project’s backers pursue grants and fundraising. Meeting speakers said the intent is to reduce the bond amount through fundraising and grants within about a two-year window; until then the board would guarantee financing and make interim payments on the note.

Meeting remarks noted two possible financing paths: a smaller, limited bond amount or a larger, all-inclusive bond. A speaker gave an illustrative example of a $2,025,000 bond anticipation note and said the interim payments would likely be “in the tens of thousands” per year if the board extended the note for a second year. Meeting materials and a bidding package for phase 3 were distributed to members, and the board asked staff to return with firm numbers to share with the project’s friends organization.

Board member Joe moved to go into executive session to discuss potential contracts and schedule; Bernard seconded the motion. The motion carried and the board entered executive session.

The clerk conducted a roll call after the motion: Supervisor Michael Enko was present. Counselor Alex, Fiorenza, Banyan, Lehi Hood and Rough the Shell were recorded present. Counselor Dooling was absent.

No formal spending decision on a bond amount was recorded in the public portion of the meeting; the board proceeded to discuss the items behind closed doors as allowed for contracting and schedule deliberations.