Parks board hears project updates; Jerry Ivy splash pad bid far exceeds estimate, commission postpones consideration

At the Salina Parks and Recreation Board meeting, staff provided project status updates on several capital and near‑term initiatives and the board approved a motion to present most 2024 goals as accomplished on the city’s mandatory annual reporting form.

Jerry Ivy Memorial Park: staff told the board the design estimate for the Jerry Ivy Memorial improvements was $1,100,000, while the single construction bid returned at $1,800,000. The city commission postponed consideration and directed staff to pursue value engineering with the bidder or rebid the project at a later time, staff said. Options include reducing scope to the three essential elements (memorial, splash pad, water wall) or rebidding outside the December timeframe that may have limited bidder response.

Mattsson Field: staff said contracting is in progress with the selected bidder; timeline and scheduling will depend on snowmelt and contract finalization.

Parker Park dog park: staff reported that a governing body consideration for a second dog park on the north end of Salina (near the animal shelter) is scheduled for the city commission in February.

Pessinger Family Stadium irrigation and seeding: staff reported crews are tying in the water supply for irrigation heads outside the foul lines and anticipate seeding once weather allows, in March or April.

Glenifer Hill Park: staff said the city commission will consider a request for proposals to potentially sell the parcel that formerly held the park; proceeds were discussed as a potential funding source for other projects such as Indian Rock playground equipment.

Indian Rock Park playground: staff said purchase and installation of playground equipment would be contingent on receipt of funds from any sale; staff would not initiate procurement until the city had funds in hand.

ADA transition plan and restroom remodels: staff reported progress on several ADA transition items (signage for accessible seating at ballparks, parking‑lot striping at Berkeley Family Recreational Area, and plumbing/partition work in multiple restrooms). The parks restroom remodel program is ongoing and staff cautioned the full ADA transition plan will take multiple years to complete.

Board action on goals: the board motioned and approved (voice vote) a recommendation to treat most 2024 goals as accomplished while carrying remaining ADA items and longer projects forward as goals for 2025. The board voted by voice to approve that motion; the motion passed.

Staff also announced the city manager intends to depart and that Deputy City Manager Jacob Wood will become interim city manager on Feb. 7; staff said the city manager’s last day is Feb. 7 and he is moving to another community.

No construction contracts were awarded by the Parks Board during the meeting; staff said city commission action is required for several of the projects under discussion.