Defiance council approves contract to finish parks and riverfront master plan

Mayor McCann on Tuesday evening called for council approval of a final-phase contract to complete the city’s Parks and Riverfront Master Plan. The council voted to adopt the ordinance authorizing the contract and declaring an emergency; five members voted yes and one voted no.

The master plan’s Phase 3 — which council approved funding to move forward — will refine earlier renderings, produce a partner and implementation framework, and supply cost estimates and funding strategies that the city can use to apply for grants, Mayor McCann said. “This is going to be a plan that can be successfully implemented through capital projects, programmatic strategies, and operations,” McCann said during the presentation.

The project team has completed phases 1 and 2, city staff told council, including inventorying park assets, public outreach events, steering‑committee interviews and two community surveys. City planner Micky Morneke, who participated in the work, and parks director Mr. Saragon were present to answer council questions during the presentation.

The consultant will prepare drawings and itemized cost estimates for the top park and riverfront concepts identified in prior outreach, McCann said. Those cost estimates will let the city pursue grants and other funding. “From those cost estimates, then you’ll be able to look for grants or the projects,” McCann said. City staff also highlighted specific objectives discussed during outreach: river access for non‑motorized craft, improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between parks, restroom upgrades, and targeted improvements to existing park sites rather than creating many new parks.

Survey results and outreach shaped the priorities council heard: the first online survey generated 543 responses, and a later community survey returned roughly 599 responses, city staff said. Respondents ranked improving existing parks, pedestrian and bicycle trails, restroom upgrades, canoe and kayak launches, and park connectivity among top priorities. Staff also reported that about 30 percent of respondents already use local rivers for nonmotorized boating and that roughly 62 percent said safer pedestrian routes would make them visit parks more often.

The consultant will present public renderings and host an open house on March 19 from 6 to 8 p.m., the city announced; a joint meeting with the Parks Commission and Planning Commission is planned for early April, and the consultant will return to the April 8 council meeting for a late presentation. If council’s action stands, Phase 3 work will begin in May 2025 with a draft review anticipated in mid‑June and final recommendations to council and the planning commission expected in July 2025.

Council members asked about how the consultant will present costs. Brett, a resident who spoke during the Q&A, asked whether the consultant will separate cost estimates by objective and location — for example, sidewalks vs. improvements at Buckman Park. City staff replied the consultant will list elements with drawings and corresponding cost estimates so council can prioritize and pursue grants.

The ordinance was adopted after a motion to adopt passed in a recorded vote: Mister Hancock — yes; Mister Oreske — yes; Mister Mas — no; Missus Kretch — yes; Mister Engel — yes; Mister Corbett — yes. With the vote count announced, the mayor declared the ordinance adopted.

Council members and staff emphasized that the plan is intended to be implementable and to support grant applications; the presentation repeatedly framed Phase 3 as a tool for turning concepts into fundable projects. The presentation also referenced collaboration with local organizations including youth sports associations and the YMCA for programmatic partnerships.

Council next moved on after adopting the ordinance; the packet and presentation materials are available to council and the public, and staff said further public outreach is scheduled as noted above.