Park board approves array of service contracts, event partnerships and maintenance agreements

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved the consent calendar and a series of contracts and agreements at its April meeting, voting unanimously on each item.

During section C of the agenda staff presented and the board approved: a not‑to‑exceed $31,620 contract with Master Rental to provide fencing and portable restrooms for the Grand Foon concert series (to be reimbursed by Indiana University); a $13,920 preventative maintenance contract for Switchyard Park with Harold Fish, Inc.; an indemnity agreement with Catalin Indiana LLC to use a nearby contractor parking lot for three Grand Foon concerts (June 20, July 18 and August 29); a partnership agreement with Studio Cipher to host the Free Range Arcade event (no money exchanged) on May 2; a service agreement with Spear Aquatics for pool startup and season services ahead of May 23 openings; a contract with Nature’s Way, Inc. to maintain downtown planters (funded by the Public Works Department); an add‑on mowing and trimming agreement with Green Dragon Lawn Care for additional sites; a not‑to‑exceed $20,000 contract with Mother Nature Landscaping to inject 82 ash trees (totaling about 1,650 DBH inches) to protect them from emerald ash borer (funded from general fund revenue and a grant); approval of a quick claim deed to accept 1.1 acres known as the Rose Parcel adjacent to the Bloomington rail trail (maintenance responsibilities to lie with Parks); and two related security upgrades at the operations center: Convergent to install gate control equipment and one camera, and Precision Quality Contracting (PQC) for electrical connections (PQC contract not to exceed $7,630), funded from non‑reverting cell‑tower revenue.

Board members cast roll call votes for each motion; the transcript records affirmative votes by Kathleen Mills, Ellen Rodkkey and Israel Herrera on every item. Staff noted a range of funding sources in the presentations (grant funds for the Banaker Community Center repair mentioned earlier in the meeting; Public Works funding for downtown planters; general fund and grant funding for ash‑tree treatment; and cell‑tower revenue for gate work). Several presenters emphasized operational benefits: the gate upgrade replaces a frequently cut padlock to improve weekend access control, and the ash‑tree treatment preserves trees with an estimated replacement value cited during discussion.

Votes at a glance: consent calendar — approved (roll call unanimous); Master Rental fencing/restrooms — approved (not to exceed $31,620); Harold Fish preventive maintenance — approved ($13,920); Catalin Indiana parking agreement — approved; Studio Cipher partnership (Free Range Arcade) — approved (no funds); Spear Aquatics service agreement — approved; Nature's Way planter maintenance — approved; Green Dragon mowing — approved; Mother Nature ash‑tree treatment — approved (not to exceed $20,000); Rose Parcel quick claim deed acceptance — approved; Convergent gate equipment — approved; PQC electrical work — approved (not to exceed $7,630).

Next steps: staff will execute the contracts, proceed with event and maintenance planning, and bring any items requiring board policy decisions back for future consideration.