La Plata council authorizes $21,834 contract for ADA walkway at Wills Memorial Park

The La Plata Town Council on May 26, 2026 adopted Resolution 26-32 authorizing the town manager to contract with Austin Dirt Works to install a new ADA-compliant concrete walkway at Wills Memorial Park.

Town Manager Chuck Stevens told the council staff solicited three estimates and "Austin Dirt Works submitted the lowest responsive proposal at an additional cost of $21,834," and that the contractor's work would meet ADA minimum slope and cross-slope standards. Stevens said a prior contract modification to the playground replacement had reduced the base contract amount, and after accounting for the proposed walkway installation the overall net increase to the playground replacement project would be $10,094.

Stevens recited project figures included in the council packet: the original approved playground contract was $834,889.39; after a modification that removed demolition costs and added a fence upgrade, the contract stood at $823,149.38; with the new walkway and prior modifications staff cited an amended playground project total of $444,983.38 in the packet. Stevens noted a table in the agenda packet showing the cost breakdown and called the change administrative and consistent with procurement policy.

Councilman Johnson moved to adopt Resolution 26-32 and Councilman McCormack seconded; the council approved the resolution by voice vote after brief procedural questions and general support from several council members.

What comes next: The town manager is authorized to execute the contract with Austin Dirt Works and implement a CIP budget adjustment of $10,094 to fund the walkway component. Council members said the project schedule will allow the town to complete the walkway work in conjunction with ongoing playground and court improvements and to avoid replacing the walkway later after a ribbon-cutting.

Reporting note: Vote was by voice; the meeting record does not include a roll-call tally.