Greenfield council approves park maintenance appropriations, accepts museum foundation and city entry signs

The Greenfield City Council on Jan. 14 approved several routine but budgetary items, including a $37,624.19 supplemental appropriation from the general fund for park safety maintenance, accepted completion of a foundation and placement of the Tom Rogers Museum modular building (phase 1), and accepted replacement of the city entry signs after the project came in under budget.

The actions, taken by voice vote with no roll-call tallies read into the record, will allow the city to complete playground and surfacing work at multiple parks, advance phase 2 of the Tom Rogers Museum project, and record ownership of the new entry signs.

City staff described the park appropriation as a housekeeping action to cover purchases and installation that were budgeted last fiscal year but delivered in the current fiscal year. “This resolution is to supplementally appropriate just over $37,000 in general fund money to complete the payment for the purchase and installation of some park equipment and wood chips at some parks,” a staff presenter said during the meeting.

The council accepted phase 1 of the Tom Rogers Museum and visitors facility project, reporting that the city awarded a public works contract in 2023 for a contracted amount of just over $35,000 to place the modular building on a raised foundation. Staff told the council the building was placed and the foundation constructed after a changed scope required a raised stem-wall foundation rather than a simple pad; the project was completed within the approved budget after a supplemental appropriation.

On the city entry signs, staff reported the final cost (construction, inspection and management) at $213,962.52, under the combined appropriated budget of approximately $224,000. Council accepted the project and the contractor-provided as-built plans; the project carries a one-year guarantee per staff.

Council also approved a resolution transferring $61,681.73 from Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District (LLMD) No. 2 reserves into the maintenance fund and transferring $13,057.20 from that fund to reimburse the general fund for wood-fiber installation invoices paid earlier this fiscal year. Staff said those LLMD-funded replacements and wood-fiber purchases were started in the prior fiscal year and were finalized this year.

Other procedural items: the council continued first reading of an accessory dwelling unit ordinance amendment (Chapter 17.90 of the municipal code) to a date certain of Jan. 28, 2025, adopted the consent calendar, and read a proclamation honoring Fire Chief Jim Langborg on the occasion of his departure from the department.

A council motion sent the meeting into closed session to discuss real property negotiations with the Greenfield Union School District (Government Code section 54956.8) over parcel numbers 024-021-001 and 024-021-021; the council returned to open session with no reportable action. A council member recused themself for the closed-session item, citing employment with the Greenfield Union School District.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution L1 — Supplemental appropriation of $37,624.19 (general fund) for safety maintenance at Apricot Park, Baywood Park and Primavera Park: approved (motion and second recorded; voice vote; no roll-call tally). Referenced in meeting transcript at staff report and motion to adopt.

- Resolution L2 — Acceptance of construction (phase 1) for Tom Rogers Museum foundation and placement (contract awarded in October 2023 to Frank LaDuca Company, original contract amount ~ $35,000): approved (motion passed). Referenced in staff report accepting phase 1 as complete.

- Resolution L3 — Acceptance of Greenfield City Entry Sign Replacement Project (contract awarded in 2023; final cost $213,962.52): approved (motion passed). Referenced in staff report and council comments.

- Resolution L4 — Supplemental appropriation of $61,681.73 from LLMD No. 2 reserves to the maintenance fund and transfer out $13,057.20 to reimburse the general fund for wood-fiber installation at Rotary Centennial Park, Barolo Circle Park and Tuscany Park: approved (motion passed). Referenced in staff report.

- K1 — Introduction and first reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 17.90 (Accessory Dwelling Units): continued to Jan. 28, 2025 (staff announced continuance).

What happens next

Staff said acceptance of phase 1 of the Tom Rogers Museum allows planners and the city engineer to proceed with design and budgeting for phase 2 (hardscape, landscape and aesthetic work). For the park appropriations and LLMD reimbursements, staff will process the supplemental budget entries and payments to contractors. The entry sign project will remain under a one-year warranty period for the city to monitor.

Chief Jim Langborg, who was honored by proclamation, spoke briefly at the meeting and said, “It’s been a pleasure working for the city, and this is a great place to end my career in the fire service.”