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Board backs cemetery restroom after donor pledges cut city share to about $22,000
Summary
The Mitchell Parks and Recreation board recommended including a new 20x20 restroom at the servicemen—s cemetery in this year—s budget after donors and in-kind pledges reduced the city—s estimated cost to roughly $22,160; staff will ask the mayor to include the project in the budget.
Dean Strand, vice chair of the Servicemen Cemetery Board, asked the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board on July 8 to include a new restroom near the shelter in the cemetery—s budget recommendation to the mayor and city council. "This is very crude because I don't have a computer," Strand said as he handed out paper plans and described a 20-by-20 concrete-block building with a metal roof, a unisex layout, a baby changing station and a programmable lock that could open and lock on a schedule.
Strand presented a construction estimate of $64,270 but said two donations and an in-kind electrical pledge have lowered the city—s potential share. "Moose Electric said they would donate the electrical, which was $6,950," Strand said, and a veterans tournament provided a $13,000 check earmarked for the restroom. He said an anonymous donor offered to match the city's share if the city would commit half; with those reductions, Strand said the city's worst-case cost would come down to about $22,160, "subject to change."
Board members discussed utility access, monthly costs and maintenance. City staff confirmed there is water and sewer roughly 50–90 feet behind the proposed location and said the restroom could be placed on a separate meter. A parks staffer told the board the parks crew would clean the facility if the city proceeds.
A board member moved that the restroom be included with the cemetery budget recommendation; after brief discussion the board voted by voice. Chair called for the ayes and declared the motion passed. Members also asked staff to continue pursuing additional donations and to refine the project estimate before the mayor finalizes the budget submission.
The board's recommendation means the restroom will be considered by the mayor and then the city council as part of the regular budget process; final construction will depend on funding approval and any further cost adjustments. The board recorded the recommendation and moved on to other budget items.
The Parks and Recreation Board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21.
