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Love Park redevelopment bids routed to City Council; board considers streamlining purchasing rules
Summary
Staff told the Bradenton CRA board that Love Park bids were received but, under city purchasing policy, the award must be confirmed by the City Council. Board members discussed whether a future amendment to the city purchasing policy could speed approvals when boards share the same membership.
Staff reported at the May 27 meeting that bids for Love Park were received through the city's purchasing department and, because of the bid amount and city policy, the CRA's award will be routed to the City Council for final approval. A staff speaker said, "we received our bids in through the city uh purchasing department and we have two bids uh according to city policy which by law the CRA has to follow purchasing policy" and that they expect the item to be placed on the July city council agenda.
Board members discussed the statutory and policy background. One participant noted a past state legislative amendment requires CRAs to follow city purchasing policies and said that if the City Council found the additional review unnecessary, the council could amend its purchasing policy to create a streamlined path in cases where the CRA and city boards share membership. Staff clarified any change would require an amendment to the city's purchasing policy and is within the city council's discretion.
Project scope: staff described Love Park as a true redevelopment project — demolition and rebuild — and said that while City Park remains under construction, Love Park (as funded through CRA resources) will be "the best park in the city" upon completion.
Next steps: staff preliminarily awarded the contract and will present the award to the City Council, expected in July. The board directed staff to continue coordinating with the city on the procurement and, if desired, to explore whether a purchasing-policy amendment could streamline future approvals. No final purchasing-policy change or contract award by the City Council occurred at this meeting.
