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Local donor offers up to $300,000 for downtown carillon bell tower; city to negotiate MOU and procurement
Summary
Local resident Tom Olt offered to donate up to $300,000 to commission and install a carillon bell tower in South Central Park. Staff recommended authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the donor and initiating procurement through a specified vendor; no final agreement was executed at agenda review.
A Winter Haven resident, Tom Olt, approached city staff proposing to fund a permanent public artwork — a carillon bell tower — to be installed in South Central Park.
City staff presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the donor and the city that would limit the donor’s contribution to an amount not to exceed $300,000 unless both parties agree in writing to a larger sum. Staff said the funds would be placed in a restricted account and would cover fabrication, delivery, installation, permitting, foundation work, electrical service, a decorative fence and landscaping. The city would act as the procuring agency and planned to purchase the piece from the Verdon company pending final contract terms.
Staff said the largest bell would be inscribed to memorialize Olt’s parents and his recently deceased wife, and that the vendor quoted a seven-to-nine month delivery timeline after signing. Staff also cited potential cost volatility tied to federal tariffs and steel-price quote windows and asked the commission to authorize the city manager to finalize the MOU and proceed with purchase negotiations.
No binding contract or final vote was taken at agenda review; staff sought commission authorization to finalize agreements and proceed with procurement steps.
