Council approves design agreement with Morrison Merriley for Belfry Bridge boat ramp

The City of Cody council voted to approve a standard agreement with Morrison Merriley of Cody to perform the first phase of design work for the Belfry Bridge boat ramp project.

City staff member Philip Bowman said the firm was selected through a qualifications-based selection process presented at a prior work session. He described Phase 1 as a field survey and preliminary site design; staff discussed a Phase 1 contract amount (presented in the meeting as about $69,390) and estimated that completing final design would raise the total to as much as roughly $115,000, with any additional cost beyond that subject to a future budget amendment. Bowman told council that the project has grant funding from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and that the grant and match are captured in the FY2026 budget.

Councilmembers asked about the selection committee and grant timeline. Bowman identified selection committee participants who will continue to advise the project team and said staff plan substantial public outreach, including a public survey, as part of the design scope. A councilmember noted interest from a state grant program and asked staff to work to meet an informational deadline in May to strengthen prospects for additional funding.

Council moved and approved the agreement. Staff said future phases would come back to council as contract amendments or separate procurements as design needs and grant requirements are refined.

The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote.