Mill Creek council approves design contract for Library Park renovation; debate centers on Veterans Monument scope and grant use

The Mill Creek City Council on Oct. 21 approved a professional services agreement for preliminary and design work on the Library Park renovation and Veterans Monument expansion and accepted a state grant for the monument, but the meeting highlighted a sharp divide over what the city should include in the project—s base scope.

The council voted 6-1 to authorize the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Bruce Dees and Associates (BDA) for design services not to exceed $129,586.15, and separately approved a contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce for $250,260 for the Veterans Monument expansion.

The measures authorize the city to hire BDA to prepare two conceptual alternatives (including optional enhancements) and to complete construction-level drawings for the selected base scope. Staff told the council the design phase will take roughly three months and is intended to give elected officials schematic-level options before spending on more detailed design work.

Why it matters: the parcel that contains Library Park and the Veterans Monument sits largely within a wetland buffer and has chronic drainage and soil issues. City staff and the consultant said underdrain and geotechnical work are likely to be major cost drivers; council members cautioned that drainage work could consume a large share of the combined funding, leaving fewer dollars for aesthetic or amenity upgrades at the monument.

Director Todd, the staff presenter, said the project began as a parks improvement effort to address a soggy playground area but evolved to include monument improvements. Todd told council members the underdrain work is a major cost driver and that the contract with BDA will produce conceptual layouts that test-fit both the base items and a range of optional enhancements so the city can decide which additions to fund later.

Marion, identified as the project lead, summarized the draft scope presented to council: the base scope includes expansion of the monument to add space for names, installation of safety fencing around the playground, underdrain/drainage improvements, and repair or replacement of sidewalks to improve ADA access. Optional enhancements listed in the staff materials include playground upgrades and expanded play equipment (including swings), landscaping and irrigation refresh, upgraded lighting, additional flagpoles and benches, a monument plaza, and a parking-lot expansion assessment.

Staff estimated the design contract at roughly $130,000 and offered a preliminary construction estimate of about $360,000, producing a rough combined total of $490,000 for the base scope; the consultant estimated that including all optional enhancements could raise the total to about $750,000 (an additional roughly $250,000). Council members were told the city has a $250,000 county grant earmarked for drainage improvements at the park and a $250,260 state grant earmarked for the Veterans Monument expansion.

Council discussion focused on whether the monument enhancements originally promised to the state sponsor should be carved out of optional items and included in the base scope. Council Member Duque asked for clarity about which schematic the consultant will present; Marion said BDA will present two conceptual schematics that include the optional items so the council can see what the top-end design looks like and then pare back to a budget level the council prefers. Duque pressed whether optional elements would require additional design costs if the council later chooses them; staff confirmed the fixed-price design authorization covers the base scope and that adding optional elements to the final construction set could increase the design cost.

A number of council members and board members who participated earlier in the project history said they had expected more monument components to be included in the base scope, given the state grant targeted monument enhancements. One council member said the monument grant was intended to fund seating, lighting and other elements in addition to additional panels for names; other council members and staff responded that design and drainage needs for both the park and monument were intertwined and that subsurface work would likely absorb substantial funds.

Tanis Golbezki, who spoke during audience communication and identified herself as a Mill Creek resident and Parks & Recreation Board member, said she looks forward to enhancements and noted the park hosts Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances.

Votes and motions: the council approved (6-1) a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Bruce Dees and Associates in the amount of $129,586.15 for design services for the Library Park renovation. The council also approved (6-1) a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Local and Community Projects Program for the City of Mill Creek Veterans Monument expansion in the amount of $250,260. One council member voted no on both motions and said publicly that the state grant should not be used primarily to fund the library park work.

Staff said next steps are execution of the BDA agreement and the state contract, then completion of the conceptual design and a council review of cost evaluations before staff brings a recommendation for final design approval and a construction budget.

Project schedule and risk: staff warned the schedule is tight if the city wants to complete construction in summer 2026. If the city delays the start of design, construction could move to summer 2027. Staff rated implementation risk as medium because of wetland delineation results, required geotechnical work, and the need to coordinate multiple funding sources.

Council members asked staff to return with the consultant—s schematic concepts and clearer cost allocations before committing to any optional enhancements.