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Town board approves engagement letter with LaBella; directs July 31 deliverable deadline
Summary
Grand Island town board agreed to sign an engagement letter with LaBella to produce design/price information for a proposed building project and set a July 31 deliverable deadline; the motion passed 3–1 after discussion about costs and whether the work could be avoided by a referendum.
The Grand Island Town Board voted to accept an engagement letter from LaBella and to authorize the town supervisor to sign, with a requirement that LaBella’s deliverables be completed on or before July 31.
The board discussed timing and scope for the engagement during a town board workshop. The supervisor and other members said they wanted a deliverable in time for the board and the board of elections deadlines; board members noted the board meets next on August 4 and that August 4 is a deadline for matters sent to the board of elections. Supervisor and others described the engagement as work to define the site, a high-level build concept and a ballpark cost so residents can make an informed decision if the town moves toward a bond referendum.
Board members debated the value of paying for outside engineering and design work before a referendum. One member asked whether the town could ask voters directly without paying for the preliminary design; board members and staff responded that a referendum would typically require a bond resolution with an identified purpose and an estimate of cost, and that the engagement is intended to provide the necessary granularity for the financing question. Members said the engagement is not a full build-out specification but is intended to produce sketches, cost estimates and pricing that would inform a future vote.
A board member recalled a fee in the proposal and another member said a cost was provided; the transcript contains an unclear recollection of the cost as "about 10,000, 2,000, 50%." The board did not record a precise dollar figure in the workshop minutes.
Supervisor asked for a motion to accept the engagement letter with the added condition that deliverables be provided on or before July 31. A motion was offered, seconded and approved by a 3–1 roll-call tally. The motion authorized the supervisor to sign the engagement letter.
The outcome leaves the board with a preliminary design and pricing estimate to consider at upcoming meetings. Board members said the information would help the public evaluate a bond question if the town chooses to hold a referendum.
Votes at a glance: the engagement letter motion passed with a recorded tally of 3 yes, 1 no.
