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Morgan Township approves contractor and purchase order to install donated playground; turf donor will fund surface
Summary
Trustees reviewed three bids for playground installation, debated whether bid details should be public, selected a certified installer and approved a purchase order for $42,952 to install donated equipment; turf installation will be paid by the donor and installed by a separate contractor.
Morgan Township Trustees on June 23 selected a vendor to install donated playground equipment, approved a purchase order for the installation and heard public questions about keeping bid details confidential.
The trustees voted unanimously to select Ventura (the equipment sales representative) as the contractor to finish installation work and later approved a purchase order for Panchura (listed in the meeting as both “Panchura” and “Pinchera”) for $42,952 to install the donated playground. Trustees voted “Yes” on both motions (Mister Cole: Yes; Mister Brucker: Yes; Mister Huff: Yes).
The decision followed a public discussion about three bids received for turf installation and site work. Township staff reported the three bids as: ForeverLawn of Cincinnati, $53,457 plus a $4,000 survey fee (total $57,457); Alpha Construction, $45,000 plus a survey not to exceed $4,000; and Panchura, $42,952 flat (the lowest bid). Township staff said Panchura/Pinchera is a certified playground installer and could schedule installation earlier if the site grading was prepared.
During audience comments resident Tammy Tumbleson asked why the playground-installation bids would be discussed in executive session. Trustees explained they had listed agenda item 5, “Matters required to be kept confidential,” as the potential legal basis for an executive session and said they wanted to confirm the statutory basis before moving forward. After discussion trustees and staff concluded the bidding period was closed and that no additional bids were expected, and that the trustees could proceed in public.
Staff and trustees described scheduling and grading considerations: ForeverLawn said it would perform grading and install the turf if its contractor is selected; Panchura said it could begin near the end of the month if the grading is complete. Trustees also said the donated turf cost will be paid by the playground donor, and the township’s purchase order covers installation of the donated playground equipment only.
The motion selecting Ventura as the installation contractor passed on a voice vote. Trustees later approved a purchase order to Panchura for $42,952 to install the donated playground equipment; the motion passed unanimously.
Trustees and staff discussed logistics that remain before installation: final grading and hauling fill to the north end of the site, installation of a recently delivered drinking fountain, sealing a curb opening to protect new curb, and eventual installation of a fence. Staff said curb work and turf installation will follow equipment installation.
Trustees did not take separate action about the turf vendor bids; staff noted donor funding would cover the turf vendor cost. No timeline was adopted in the meeting beyond staff comments about potential late‑month scheduling for the installer if the site is prepared.
The trustees closed the agenda item and moved to other business.
