City staff updated council that design bids for park amenities — including a water feature, picnic shelters and tables — came in significantly over the originally awarded grant amount, and that staff are pursuing value engineering and a possible grant extension.

Staff said the city has about $250,000 remaining in a state parks grant but that bids for the engineered design exceeded available funds. The city administrator had asked AKS to revise plans to reduce costs and staff reported an email from the grant administrator indicating the state is willing to begin an extension process.

Council members and staff discussed options: re‑scoping work to prioritize lower‑maintenance features (for example choosing picnic shelters over a mechanically complex water feature), soliciting landscapers directly to price what can be accomplished for the grant amount, and coordinating with CPRD or other partners where projects overlap. Staff flagged maintenance concerns for a water feature (daily testing and maintenance burdens) and suggested alternatives such as a dry creek bed or simpler water element to reduce long‑term maintenance costs.

Staff will return with revised plans, updated cost estimates, and the status of the grant extension request. No formal council action was taken at the work session.