Porterville — The City Council on Dec. 2 authorized the purchase and installation of a battleship‑themed playground for Veterans Park, directing staff to negotiate a contract and setting a 10% contingency cap.

Deputy City Manager Donnie Moore told the council the project is included in the Capital Improvement Program and that two vendor quotes received before publication ranged from about $249,178 to $359,792. Staff said the FY 2025–26 Measure I allocation for park projects provides $600,000 and expressed confidence total playground costs would not exceed $400,000, including an estimated up to $15,000 for an ADA connectivity path.

Mayor Meister moved to proceed and sought two additions: an American flag integrated into the structure and naming the play feature the “USS Porterville.” Councilman Beltran and others questioned the timing of the purchase given the ongoing library funding gap. “Given other things going on in the community … this is just not a good look to go this is a priority,” Beltran said, noting Measure I funds already helped pay for the new community center and that the library still has unanswered funding needs.

Vice Mayor McCurvey and Councilman Rivas supported proceeding, arguing the playground serves children across generations and that CIP planning had allocated money for parks. After debate over prevailing‑wage implications and philanthropic alternatives, the motion to authorize the purchase and execute related contracts (with the suggested additions) passed 3‑2.

What happens next: Staff was authorized to negotiate and execute an equipment/installation contract with a contingency not to exceed $385,000, and to issue a separate RFQ for ADA connectivity work. The council’s motion included direction to add an American flag element and the ceremonial name; implementation will follow standard procurement and prevailing‑wage rules.

Vote: recorded in the meeting as passing 3 in favor, 2 opposed.

Cost and funding: staff cited two vendor quotes ($249,177.74 and $359,792.40), an estimated not‑to‑exceed playground cost of $400,000 including ADA connectivity, and $600,000 allocated from Measure I funds in FY 2025–26.