Commissioners table Bob Hall Pier decision, send design back to Parks Board and county engineer

The court halted action on the Bob Hall Pier design on Jan. 18 after commissioners raised concerns that the county-hired engineer had not reviewed recent presentation materials and that cost estimates for repairs had increased substantially. Commissioner Chesney said he had been surprised by figures ranging from about $900,000 to $1.4 million to repair the existing structure and asked that the court send the package back to the Parks Board, ensure the county-hired engineer (John Michael) reviews the updated materials, and direct a Parks Board recommendation before the court resumes consideration.

Parks staff said the item had been presented to the Parks Board in November and that a recommendation had been expected; commissioners disagreed about whether the board offered a recommendation and asked for a repeat presentation at a Jan. 26 Parks Board meeting. The court voted to table the item and asked staff to arrange the Parks Board presentation with the engineer present; the tabling motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners said they want a complete team review before authorizing significant new spending on pier repairs.