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Park Board ratifies expenses, withdraws from OOE agreement and advances Bowers Park engineering request
Summary
The board ratified year‑end expenses, approved withdrawing from an apprenticeship agreement with Ohio Operating Engineers after a 2LMN bid won Bowers Park work, and authorized staff to seek City Council approval of an EMH&T contract for final engineering design; motions passed without further discussion.
The Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners ratified Parks Department expenses, approved withdrawing from an apprenticeship fund agreement with the Ohio Operating Engineers (OOE) and authorized staff to seek City Council approval for an engineering contract for Bowers Park.
Superintendent Steve Gayfield presented the department’s expense and revenue report and the year‑end budget review; following discussion Mr. Bob Lovell moved to approve and ratify payment of Parks Department expenses, Ms. Kristina Crites seconded and the motion passed.
Gayfield explained an OOE agreement from 2020 that provided apprentices to do dirt work at Bowers Park. He said the Board had directed staff to complete the project sooner, a 2LMN bid won the work and he requested permission to send OOE a 30‑day written notice to withdraw from the apprenticeship fund offer agreement. Mr. Lovell moved to approve withdrawal; Ms. James seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Gayfield also asked the Board’s permission to go to City Council to request approval of a contract with engineering firm EMH&T for final design services, stating that the department’s unencumbered cash reserve contains sufficient funds; Mr. Lovell moved to approve the request, Ms. Crites seconded, and the motion passed.
Gayfield said he would speak with Assistant Law Director Mitch Harden about the EMH&T contract and then hand project oversight to Parks staff member Shae Goss once legal review and contractor demobilization are complete. The board recorded no further action items on Bowers Park at the meeting.
Separately, Mayor Don McDaniel noted the commuter tax may be voted for abolishment, which could affect Parks revenue. Gayfield told the board the department’s current unencumbered carryover balance is not typical and that staff maintain frugality to prepare for potential revenue decreases.
