Mantua council approves rock wall and up to $28,000 to finish James/Dane Park improvements

Mantua’s town council on Nov. 20 approved two motions aimed at finishing long‑planned improvements at Dane/James Park, including awarding a contract for a rock retaining wall and setting a not‑to‑exceed spending cap for remaining items.

Councilor (Speaker 7) moved to award Heavy Iron a contract of $8,000 to build a 120‑foot rock retaining wall at James Park; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. A volunteer presenter (Speaker 1) had detailed several bids for a wall and said one contractor offered to bring rocks from Idaho and install the wall for roughly $8,000, saving the town tens of thousands of dollars compared with other quotes. Council members discussed height limits linked to town ordinances and asked that the town engineer draw the final plan.

After the wall award, councilors discussed artificial turf for a playground area. The volunteer reported material quotes ranging about $6,400–$7,900 for turf materials with installation estimates up to roughly $30,000; volunteers estimated self‑installation could reduce the cost to roughly $7,500. Councilors and volunteers agreed sequencing matters: grading and installation of the rock wall should precede turf placement to avoid settlement issues.

Speaker 4 moved that the council approve up to $28,000 (not to exceed) to complete items on the submitted park list while explicitly excluding the fence and the rock wall from that authorization; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Council clarified that previously approved expenditures (the rock wall award) remain in effect and that any unused funds would not automatically be spent elsewhere without council action.

On oversight, public works (Marcus) told the council that public works will assume stewardship of the sites once work is constructed and completed and will monitor expenditures to keep the project within the approved budget. Volunteers urged installation of picnic tables, swing set components and wood chips where feasible before spring events, and the council discussed timing to allow the incoming mayor and new council members to provide input on larger additions such as pavilion tables or long‑term features.

The council emphasized sequencing and safety: wall placement must remain on town property and comply with local ordinances, and grading plans should avoid creating steep humps or safety hazards. No additional contracts beyond the Heavy Iron award were executed at the meeting; councilors asked staff to return with engineered drawings and clarified the town will not spend beyond the not‑to‑exceed limit without further authorization.