Council delays emergency approval for Ewart Splash Park contract after debate over funding sources

City staff recommended approval of a construction contract with Branco (Branco Enterprises) for the Ewart Splash Park and park renovations with a guaranteed maximum price near $8.9 million. Staff said the project was originally funded largely through parks and stormwater sales tax but that ensuing cost increases required tapping additional use‑tax/beautification funds and other departmental sources.

During council discussion a member said the parks department should not shift costs to other departments and argued the overage reflected a project that had exceeded its budget and should be handled internally or postponed. Staff said bids have been opened, the final GMP came in under the adjusted budget of roughly $8.938 million, and the team sought an emergency approval to begin construction and meet the planned schedule (staff estimated opening of the splash park by August next year if authorized).

After discussion, the motion to approve the council bill on an emergency basis failed (the record shows the emergency motion did not pass; the item will return for second and third readings at the next meeting). The council heard questions about when construction would start, and staff said if approved they could begin as soon as the contract is executed and aim to open the splash park by August 2026.

No final contractual award was completed during the meeting; council deferred final action to allow for standard second and third reading procedures.