Council approves campus park design contract, field lighting purchase and climbing wall repairs

The Kent City Council authorized three parks projects on April 7, approving design, equipment purchase and repair contracts intended to improve recreational facilities across the city.

Parks planner Carrie O'Conor requested authorization for a consultant services agreement with AHBL, Inc., to carry a campus park project from schematic design through construction for a contract amount of $227,157; council approved the authorization subject to final terms acceptable to the parks director and city attorney.

Garen Lee presented a cooperative purchasing authorization to install LED ballfield lighting at Wilson Playfields through a cooperative agreement with Musco Sports Lighting LLC and the King County Directors Association. Staff said the 2002 fixtures will be replaced with LEDs to improve uniformity, reduce light spill, save energy and extend service life; work is planned to begin this year during a scheduling window.

Lee also described structural deterioration identified in an annual inspection of the Arbor Heights climbing pinnacle. Staff recommended repairs that require removal of the exterior climbing surface and base‑structure work; the council authorized a public works agreement with Enterprise USA Inc. to complete the repairs and extend the feature’s useful life by an estimated ten years.

All three motions passed by voice vote; staff noted work windows and contractor terms will be finalized before construction or repairs begin.