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Board backs midyear capital move and procurement route to fix Riverchase pools, approves related parks work
Summary
Facing tight timelines to open pools in May, the board added Riverchase pool sandblasting/painting to the midyear capital plan, authorized staff to pursue the lower bid if the contractor signs the city's contract (and meets prevailing-wage requirements), and approved several park maintenance and restroom bids including an $8,351 roof repair at Riverchase YMCA.
The Board of Aldermen on Thursday approved moving a set of park repairs and improvements into the city’s midyear capital plan to ensure pools and heavily used park facilities are ready for the summer season.
Staff told aldermen that the lowest bid to sandblast and repaint the Riverchase outdoor pools is $72,746 — roughly $3,000 below the $75,000 threshold that would trigger prevailing-wage and payment-bond requirements for public-works projects. Public-works staff and the city attorney advised the board that if the total cost exceeds $75,000 the city must apply prevailing-wage rules and obtain payment bonds; the city could either put the project out for a formal 60-day bid or seek a waiver and negotiate a city contract with a bidder who will accept the city’s contract and wage obligations.
Alderman (S3) moved that staff add the pool work to the midyear capital budget and waive the city’s formal bidding requirement provided the lower bidder will sign the city contract, meet prevailing-wage obligations and post required bonds. The motion was seconded by Alderman (S8) and passed by voice vote. Staff said the approach was aimed at finishing repairs in time for a May pool opening while preserving legal protections required for public works.
During the parks discussion the board also:
- Approved $8,351 in roof repairs at Riverchase YMCA (consent agenda). - Authorized a third-party playground-inspection contract (staff recommended Bridal Play and Surfacing or similar) while the city recruits or trains a certified inspector. - Reviewed estimates to remodel park restrooms, add year-round heat to an ADA/family restroom to keep it open through winter, replace fascia and gutters, and consider a prefabricated, floodproof restroom (staff quoted an estimate of about $186,000 for a new prefab unit). Staff emphasized that plumbing quotes are still pending and recommended bundling items in bid packages where practical to control costs.
Aldermen discussed material choices — including metal roofing for longer life on tree‑shaded buildings — and directed staff to prioritize the worst‑condition facilities. Board members also flagged procurement compliance and personal liability risks if bonding or prevailing-wage requirements are ignored.
Staff will return with firm bids, revised scope, and recommendations on which funding sources (capital fund, reserves or midyear adjustment) to use.
