Columbus council adopts public-records policy, approves park and public-works contracts and low-cost CIP option

Columbus — The Columbus City Council adopted Resolution 892-2026 on Jan. 5 to establish an official public records request policy, and it approved a string of routine contracts and appointments intended to support parks and public-works operations.

The council voted to adopt the records policy after staff described how it sets fees and a processing framework that reflects recent legislative changes. City clerk said, “It’s new. We currently do not have a resolution or a policy for public records request,” and staff explained the policy requires the first hour of staff time be provided without charge and allows the city to assess fees for additional labor and materials. The council moved, seconded and adopted the resolution.

In other votes, council members approved a professional-services mowing contract with “the grounds guys” for $24,924.21 to maintain the city cemetery; approved a construction agreement with Hart 7 for $7,927.50 to install a water line and holding tank at the Granite Peak Park concession building; and approved revisions to the city’s procurement policy. Councilors also approved a special-use permit for a car show at Railroad Park (Aug. 15, 2026) and confirmed the appointment of Kirk Ivankovich to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term.

The council considered two price options for a new capital improvement plan (CIP) from Interstate Engineering and chose Option 1, a $32,500 scope the council described as “no fluff” focused on core deliverables. Public works staff said the lower-cost option meets the city’s immediate needs now that grant-dependent add-ons are not required.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Resolution 892-2026 (public records policy): moved, seconded, adopted. - Cemetery mowing contract ($24,924.21): moved, seconded, adopted. - Construction agreement with Hart 7 ($7,927.50): moved, seconded, adopted. - Procurement policy revisions: moved, seconded, adopted. - Special-use permit for Railroad Park car show (08/15/2026): moved, seconded, adopted. - Appointment of Kirk Ivankovich to the Historic Preservation Commission (3-year term): moved, seconded, adopted. - Task Order 34 (Interstate Engineering) — CIP Option 1 ($32,500): moved, seconded, adopted.

Council members briefly discussed the Hart 7 project’s future sewer tie-in and restroom planning; staff said the current work simply enables concession use and that sewer connections would be a later capital project. The cemetery mowing contract came from the general fund earmarked for parks and recreation, staff said.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements and adjournment. The council’s actions create an administrative framework for records requests, commit modest local funds to park amenities, and move forward on a pared-down CIP process.