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Council hears request to buy new mowers and a $23,750 boardwalk for Pioneer Park
Summary
Staff proposed replacing a problematic 2017 Kubota with two Toro zero-turn mowers (trade-in plan and capital budget funding) and presented a $23,750 permanent boardwalk proposal for Pioneer Park; councilors asked for design and funding details.
City staff presented several non-budget capital items at the Aug. 28 work session, including a request to replace a 2017 Kubota mower and a proposal for a permanent boardwalk at Pioneer Park.
City Administrator Kaltsas said Public Works Supervisor Shawn (the minutes also refer to "Bode") asked to replace the Kubota after a major $8,000 warranty repair; the plan would trade the Kubota for $7,000, buy a new Toro for about $15,000 this year and purchase a second mower from the capital budget the following year. Public Works Supervisor Bode described the quoted Toro as including upgraded tires and heavy-duty blades.
On parks, Kaltsas proposed building a 50-foot by 8-foot boardwalk at Pioneer Park to replace a temporary bridge that often sits underwater; staff estimated the brown-treated timber boardwalk at about $23,750 with a 20-year-plus lifespan and recommended a railing even though building code does not require one. Councilor Grotting suggested a floating-bridge alternative; staff said steel options would be much more expensive and require more complex abutment work. Kaltsas said the park fund would cover the work and that volunteers might help with sealing or future maintenance.
Council also discussed Maple Plain's museum plans and noted Independence has a small museum that will require cleanup and possible relocation or rebuilding as a volunteer project.
Next steps: staff will return a formal council item with final quotes, funding sources and recommended timing for mower purchases and the Pioneer Park boardwalk.
