Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Dog Park topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oconomowoc council approves dog-park fencing and grading bids; city to use contingency for $78,000 shortfall
Summary
The Common Council approved two contracts to start a long-planned dog park: fencing ($72,680) and grading/seating ($104,635), and authorized a contingency-funded budget amendment for an approximate $78,000 shortfall.
The Common Council voted to begin construction of a long-planned dog park, approving a fencing contract and a separate grading and seating contract and agreeing to a budget amendment to cover an approximate $78,000 shortfall from the city’s contingency fund.
Parks staff recounted the multi-year effort and earlier estimates: the project’s original $150,000 plan included $75,000 in community fundraising and $75,000 in city funds, but bids that included demolition and a parking lot had been as high as roughly $400,000. After narrowing the scope to the core components — fencing, grading and seating — staff received bids of $72,680 for fencing and $104,635 for grading/seating, plus about $32,000 for design and wetland delineation. That left the project about $78,000 short of the committed $150,000; staff proposed using contingency funds to cover the gap and continue pursuing donors but said they would not rely on future donations until funds were in-hand.
Council debate focused on whether to spend more city money than originally promised, the risk of an unfinished project if donor pledges do not materialize, and how the city’s prior park projects compared in city contribution. Alderman Shellpepper opposed using additional city funds without a firmer funding plan; other council members said contingency and unallocated fund balance exist precisely for projects of this nature and emphasized that the dog park can be useable with fencing and seating even if phased.
Votes: the fencing contract (resolution packet item) was approved by roll call (all ayes). The grading and seating contract — which required a supermajority because it would draw from contingency — passed on roll call with one No vote recorded (Alderman Shellpepper) and the remainder voting Aye.
Next steps: staff will execute the contracts so a usable portion of the park (fencing, grading, basic seating) can be opened and will continue donor outreach to fund future enhancements.
