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Council keeps Stewart Beach RFP moving, asks staff to return with drainage action plan
Summary
Council left drainage as an add‑alternate in the Stewart Beach RFP to preserve bidder flexibility but directed staff to work with the park board CEO and return with a plan for fixing chronic flooding and drainage problems by March. The RFP will go to bid while staff pursues operational options.
Amber (project staff) read RFP language asking respondents to include a priced add‑alternate for on‑site drainage improvements, describing it as a way to evaluate proposals both with and without developer‑delivered drainage work.
Councilmember Rollins and other members pressed for an operational plan because Stewart Beach’s parking and access are repeatedly affected by heavy rain and high tides. Council weighed three options: direct the park board to implement repairs, have the city take back the park to perform fixes, or require developers to include drainage work as part of the base scope. Several members warned that forcing drainage as mandatory scope could raise costs and turn off bidders; others said inaction was not acceptable.
On balance the council did not change the RFP wording: staff kept drainage as an add‑alternate to allow the city to compare proposals with and without developer‑delivered improvements. The mayor instructed city staff (Brian) to meet the park board CEO, Marty Miles, and bring back a concrete strategy and, if possible, an action item for the March meeting. “I would like to see Brian get with the CEO of the park board and come out with thought on how we can manage this and bring an action item back to us in March,” the mayor said.
Why it matters: Stewart Beach is a high‑profile public asset where parking lots have flooded and prior mitigation efforts have been controversial. Council members agreed the RFP should not be delayed but want a parallel plan to ensure drainage doesn’t block future development or leave the city reliant on uncertain developer responses.
Next steps: Publish the RFP as written (including the add‑alternate language); staff to produce a March briefing that lays out options, estimated costs, and whether the park board or city should lead targeted mitigation work prior to or alongside any development.
