Mound council approves plan and advertises bids for Lost Lake Commons phase 2 after debate over trees, seating and art walk

MOUND — The Mound City Council voted July 8 to receive final plans and order advertisement for bids for Lost Lake Commons Improvements project Phase 2, approving the measure while agreeing to hold off work on the park’s south-side trees to preserve options for an art walk concept.

The decision authorizes staff to advertise for bids for Phase 2 work, which city engineer Matt Bauman said now totals roughly $790,000 without alternates and about $861,000 with alternates. "We did have an error in our calculations last time," Bauman told the council, and he said the updated estimate tightens the electrical costs and incorporates council feedback.

The council’s action advances concrete paving of the plaza, seating, lighting and electrical work, perimeter landscaping (excluding a southeast portion), interpretive and wayfinding signage and several alternates (decking replacement, performance-area upgrades, chairs for the plaza and a concrete trail upgrade on the southeast side). Bauman said the city's long-term financial plan this year lists a budget of $884,000 for the project; he added the financial-plan number available if the work were built this year would be about $651,000 as presented on the estimate handout.

Why it matters: Phase 2 includes core public amenities — plaza paving, seating and lighting — and the administration said approving plans and soliciting bids keeps the project on the city’s schedule while giving council and staff time to refine less-critical elements.

Discussion and outstanding issues: Councilmembers and resident commissioners pressed project designers on plant selections, seating types and accessibility. One councilmember relayed a written concern from a resident with a disability that the proposed Adirondack-style chairs would be difficult for some older adults and people with mobility impairments to use; councilmembers repeatedly said they wanted the design team to ensure universal access in the performance and seating areas and to propose alternatives rather than have the council pick furniture models.

Council members also asked staff about theft protection and serviceability for new lighting and outlets. Bauman said most outlets will be weatherproof covers on lighting poles or bollards and will be controllable by breakers; he also confirmed the bid package includes electrical conduit and power runs that could support future art installations.

Councilmembers raised deterioration at the existing gazebo (performance-area structure) and whether its foundation or columns should be addressed now or later; staff said the decking replacement was included as an alternate so it can be deferred to a later capital-improvement program (CIP) if desired.

Art walk proposal: During the meeting councilmember Jason Pew (member of the council) and others discussed a separate concept called "Phase 2½" — an art walk on the park’s east side highlighting Mount’s Tonka Toys history. Councilmember Pew described a Tonka-themed promenade and suggested working with the historical society and toy manufacturers on designs and possible partnerships. The council agreed to pause planting on the south side of the park so designers and the parks team would have flexibility to conceptualize a Tonka-focused art walk and seek partners and grant funding.

Formal action: A motion to receive plans and order advertisement for bids for Lost Lake Commons Improvements Phase 2 (resolution as stated in the meeting packet) passed by voice vote. Council instructed staff that the south-side trees shown in the current bid package would not be installed as part of this Phase 2 authorization; staff said the record will reflect that direction.

What’s next: Staff will advertise for bids for Phase 2 per the approved plans, continue coordination with parks staff and the design team on accessible seating and planting guidance, and work with the parks commission and historical society on the Phase 2½ art-walk concept. Councilmembers suggested pursuing grant opportunities for larger heritage fabrication work.

Ending: The council approved the Phase 2 advertising motion after discussion and will return later with bid results and any refined designs for remaining features.