Council waives formal bidding to approve temporary parking‑lot resurfacing ahead of Pritchard Field opening

The City Council approved an urgent contract to resurface a temporary parking lot at 7109 Walker Avenue so the city could accommodate visitors for the phase‑1 opening of Pritchard Field (Walker Park). Staff presented a low quote from Onyx Paving Company of approximately $50,000 and requested a waiver of the formal competitive‑bidding process under the municipal code on the basis of time sensitivity.

Public works staff described the site as city‑owned and approximately 1,447 by 65 feet; the plan includes roughly 21 parking spaces with one ADA stall, new two‑inch asphalt in areas of missing pavement, wheel stops, and striping. Staff said they solicited proposals from multiple contractors and selected the lowest responsive quote from firms able to complete the work in the required 10‑day window prior to the scheduled ribbon cutting.

Council debated the procurement shortcut: one councilmember questioned why a waiver was used given the project has been discussed for months; staff explained delays in federal funding and an environmental hold required the city to break the project into phases and to create a temporary lot to avoid delaying the phase‑1 opening. Staff asked authority to execute change orders not to exceed $5,000. A motion to approve the contract was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

Council approved the contract and staff said the lot would be completed before the park opening. Staff noted that the lot is temporary and that a long‑term disposition of the parcel would be addressed once phase‑2 is completed.