Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Playground topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $310,200 toward Play by Design playground after debate over bids
Summary
After extensive public comment and debate over bidding and costs, the Kechi City Council approved allocating $310,200 from city funds to the park renovation and authorized the city administrator to sign a contract with Play by Design (4–1). Residents and park board members outlined fundraising plans and volunteer build logistics.
The Kechi City Council voted to accept the park board’s recommendation and allocate $310,200 from existing city funds to the proposed playground renovation, authorizing the city administrator to execute a contract with Play by Design. The motion passed 4–1 after more than an hour of presentations, public comments and council discussion about procurement procedure and budget risk.
Park board members and Play by Design representatives told the council the full project estimate is about $565,000, which includes roughly $310,000 for equipment and about $166,500 for an ADA‑accessible poured‑in‑place surface. City staff confirmed the board had just received a $40,000 grant toward the surfacing, and park volunteers are pursuing fundraising for the remainder. "Play by Design was chosen specifically because of their ability to make this an attraction‑based, community‑driven piece," said a park board representative during the presentation.
During public comment, residents split between strong support and procedural concerns. "We don't have necessarily the money," said Cheryl Hobson, a park board member, expressing concern about total cost, ongoing maintenance and whether enough volunteers or grant funding will materialize. Fundraising consultant Connor, who volunteered to lead major gifts, urged urgency and commitment: "Once people see the build and momentum, they'll give," he said, outlining a portfolio fundraising plan that relies on major gifts, foundations, corporate sponsors and events.
Council discussion centered on whether the procurement met the city's purchasing policy (which prefers three comparable bids for capital assets over $15,000) and whether the park board had done adequate comparative analysis. One council member said the park board did its due diligence and defended the recommendation as reasonable; another voted no and asked the council to follow formal bidding rules more closely in future purchases.
The council directed staff to proceed with the Play by Design contract and to work with the park board on fundraising, volunteer coordination, and contingency planning for additional costs if volunteers or fundraising fall short. The council also left open the option of phasing the project if circumstances require it.
