Parks committee approves playground donation, pool filter replacement and equipment purchases; holds JBS engineering amendment

The Green Bay Parks Committee on March 12 approved a series of purchases and donations to support parks operations and city events and indefinitely held one engineering contract amendment pending funding questions.

Playground donation: The committee approved acceptance of playground equipment donated by BCI Burke valued at $69,553 that will be installed at Lake Memorial Park in time for the city’s draft event and remain at that location through the 2025 season. The Parks Director said the equipment would be placed at Lake Memorial Park "prior to the draft, so that they could use this equipment for the draft events" and that because some pieces require footings, the city intends to keep them through the summer. Committee members asked whether Burke branding would appear on the equipment; the Parks Director said she would confirm branding details before the council meeting. A motion to accept the donation was made by Alder Kressley and seconded by Alder Wery and passed by voice vote.

Pool filter replacement: The committee approved hiring Caraco Aquatic Resources to replace filters at Joannes Aquatic Center for $180,500. The Parks Director said the filters were losing sand and that only one vendor submitted a quote through the purchasing department. "Only one vendor submitted a quote. It was Caraco Aquatic Resources for a total cost of $180,500," the director said; she added the quoted cost is well under the budgeted amount and that Caraco currently performs pool maintenance and supplies chemicals for city pools. The motion to approve the Caraco contract was made by Alder Rehring and seconded by Alder DeLee and passed by voice vote.

Grant for native plantings: The committee accepted a $500 grant from Green Bay Wild Ones to convert turf on the hills around new sculptures at Arlin Park to native pollinator plantings. The Parks Director said the Green Bay Conservation Corps will handle the plantings and that the grant will cover materials; labor will be provided by conservation corps members. Alder Galle moved the acceptance and Alder Presley seconded; the motion passed.

Vehicle and equipment purchases: The committee approved several fleet and equipment purchases using previously bonded funds: a 2006-replacement Super Duty F-250 from Ewald Automotive Group for $55,003.74; two 2025 model pickup trucks (GMC Sierra, two-wheel drive reg cab) from Ewald for a combined $73,810; and a 2025 Vermeer brush chipper from Vermeer, Wisconsin for $103,208.90 to replace a 2015 chipper nearing end of life. Motions to approve these purchases were made and seconded by alderpersons during the meeting and each passed by voice vote.

BRAFE USA Inc. amendment held: The committee considered but held amendment No. 3 to an engineering contract with BRAFE USA Inc. for the JBS project, a $75,000 amendment for design work. The Parks Director said construction funding for the project — including a barn component discussed separately — has not been approved and that Finance Committee had recommended using ARPA but requested more information about Willow’s long-term commitment to using the barn. Because funding for the barn was unresolved, staff recommended holding the amendment until both design hiring and funding could be considered together. Alder DeLee moved to hold the item, Alder Wery seconded, and the motion to hold passed by voice vote.

Several approved purchases were noted as covered by previously bonded funds or within budget; where only one vendor quote was received, staff said the purchasing department handled the solicitation process. All approved items will be forwarded as committee recommendations to the Common Council or processed per purchasing procedures.

Votes at a glance: playground donation (BCI Burke), accepted; Caraco pool filters, approved; Green Bay Wild Ones grant $500, accepted; Super Duty F-250 $55,003.74, approved; two GMC Sierra trucks $73,810, approved; Vermeer brush chipper $103,208.90, approved; BRAFE USA Inc. amendment No. 3 for JBS project, held.