Council hears update on Utica Park/Lightner Mine expansion; veterans group pledges $3,800 for flagpole light

City staff updated the City Council on the Utica Park Lightner Mine Expansion Project during the Jan. 21 regular agenda.

Steve (staff member) told the council that Amy, the city’s contract planner, has managed the project and that visible progress is occurring daily. He thanked Boyer Construction and local contractor Dante’s for ongoing work.

Steve said council staff contacted a local veterans group and that Tony Tyrell — representing that veterans group — had verbally committed $3,800 to pay specifically for a flagpole light at the site. "They have verbally committed to the $3,800 for the light specifically to light the black hole," Steve said.

Council members discussed the surfacing for the planned bocce court. Councilmember Scott said he preferred oyster shell surfacing for now and recommended assessing its maintenance and performance before considering artificial turf. Councilmember Caroline asked staff to obtain more detailed pricing on turf cited in the staff report; staff said the turf option’s per-yard price appeared unusually high and that Amy would provide additional information before the council decides.

Members of the public raised park-completion topics during the item and the earlier public-comment period. One commenter urged the council to ensure playground shading is installed because trees will take years to provide shade; she suggested proceeds from memorial bench sales be redirected to pay for shade structures so the play area is usable in warm weather. The city said shading and other park-completion topics will be future agenda items as the project nears completion.

Council and staff said they will bring further details on bocce-court surfacing options and costs to a future meeting before selecting a final material.