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Council awards splash pad construction bid for Gorman Park but staff warns funding is not fully secured
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Summary
The council awarded the low bid for Gorman Park Phase 2 (splash pad) to Pember Companies but staff said the phase lacks a fully secured funding source and the city may need to issue debt if state bonding or private gifts fall short.
The St. Peter City Council on March 9 voted to accept the low construction bid for Gorman Park Phase 2 — the splash pad portion of the park redevelopment — and awarded the contract to Pember Companies of Menominee, Wisconsin.
City staff explained the multi-phase redevelopment history for Ormond/Warman Park and said the work was designed in two phases; phase 1 was largely funded with ARP dollars, while phase 2 (splash pad and related features) currently lacks a conclusively identified funding source. Staff noted the city has received pledges and gifts exceeding "a couple $100,000" toward the work and has applied for state bonding dollars, but cautioned that legislative outcomes are uncertain. "On approving and accepting the bids tonight, we do need you to at least and the worst case scenario will be to issue debt for the remainder of this project," staff said.
The council approved the resolution awarding the construction contract (packet page 20) by roll call. Staff said the low bid was slightly under the engineer's estimate and that Pember Companies has prior experience on similar splash pad projects.
The council's approval authorized moving forward with the construction award; staff reiterated that financing options include private gifts, state bonding or city-issued debt if other sources do not materialize.
