Council advances budget amendment and procurement for McGill Park House; approves pool rate change to add $2 for nonresidents

Council reviewed and moved to adopt an amendment to the 2026 appropriation ordinance that reallocates funds across several city priorities and approved a competitive-bidding waiver to accelerate exterior renovations at McGill Park House.

Finance Director Amanda Jackson summarized Amendment No. 1 to the 2026 appropriation ordinance. She said the general fund request totals approximately $536,000 and includes the lease-purchase payments tied to 650 Bowen Road, $52,000 in parks capital for two projects including tennis-court resurfacing, and additional funds to cover higher-than-anticipated electrical work at McGill Park House. Jackson also described $116,000 in transfers related to the Basil Western Road project (county-issued debt), $20,000 from bed tax for a marketing consultant, and reappropriation of grant balances in water funds and a $15,000 request in the sewer fund for an ongoing toxicity study.

Separately, staff requested a waiver of competitive bidding for McGill Park House exterior renovations and to add electrical work while siding is removed. City Administrator Matt Peebles explained the approach, citing project delivery efficiency and a contingency for wood rot. When asked about the project total, Peebles stated the figures in the meeting transcript as: "$1.40 for the house and 1 and 45 for the, for the, electric. So $1.85." (The transcript did not specify units; staff should confirm and publish the contract amount in the project paperwork.) Peebles said the contractor has experience with local preservation standards and that work conforms to landmarks specifications where applicable.

On pool rates, Finance Director Amanda Jackson said the ordinance separates resident and nonresident daily admission by adding $2 for nonresidents while keeping resident rates unchanged; other rules (age of admission and regulations) remain under mayoral authority.

Action and next steps Council moved Ordinance 26-008 (appropriation amendment) to full council and adopted the waiver of competitive bidding for the McGill Park House exterior renovation (Resolution 26-017) in the council meeting. The pool-rate change (Ordinance 26-007) was moved to full council for adoption. Staff indicated some of the items are reimbursement grants and will require spending before reimbursement is received.

Why it matters The appropriation amendment and procurement decisions free funds for near-term capital work (tennis courts, McGill Park House repairs) and maintain momentum on previously approved property and road projects. The bidding waiver accelerates a historic-structure restoration effort but requires transparent documentation of contract amounts and contingencies.