Committee moves forward on $9,000 park sign replacement and $40,000 for two splash pads

The Benton Harbor Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Committee on Oct. 22 moved by consensus to forward a proposed resolution that would replace the Morton Park sign for $9,000 and fund two splash pads at Union Park and Hall Park, a package the city estimates at about $40,000.

The resolution was placed before the committee because both items exceed the $5,000 threshold that requires committee approval. Committee members and staff said the replacement sign will be built “more destructible-resistant” after the prior sign was destroyed, and the splash pads are intended to provide cooling and play space for children who currently lack such facilities in the city.

City Manager (name not specified), representing city staff, said the projects will be covered through cost-cutting measures and additional revenues. “We’re finalizing an easement that’s going to generate money that will cover most of this,” the City Manager said, adding that recent service-contract revisions are expected to save about $2,400 per month and that other savings will continue to accumulate.

Commissioner Henry raised concerns about timing and fiscal prudence, asking whether the work could wait until spring and whether three bids or estimates should be collected as required under the city charter. Staff responded that the Morton Park sign replacement is being treated as a like-for-like replacement by the original fabricator and that the replacement falls under an exception in the charter for specialized work. The committee agreed that staff will provide a written explanation of the funding sources before the full city council takes up the resolution; the City Manager said that information can be made public before the council meeting scheduled for Nov. 3.

Details discussed during the meeting include: the Morton Park sign replacement is budgeted at $9,000; two splash pads were recommended at a combined cost of $40,000; the city’s insurance deductible was described by staff as $50,000, meaning the insurance will not pay for the sign replacement; and staff said they will seek any available lower-cost bids and provide cost estimates and a budget modification at a future personnel/finance meeting.

Several commissioners and members of the public also asked staff to investigate more durable materials (including carved stone) and to confirm whether alternative sign fabricators could produce a comparable product at lower cost. The committee did not adopt final appropriations at the meeting; rather, members agreed to forward the proposed resolution and requested that staff publish the funding details publicly before the council vote.