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Council advances MOU with Unlimited Play for potential inclusive playground; legal staff to review consultant conflict question
Summary
Council advanced Ordinance No. 2025-59 (MOU with Unlimited Play, Inc. to plan a potential inclusive playground at Jim Wood Park). Councilman Mayo asked whether a paid consultant could later build and sell the playground; Assistant Law Director Bernie Battistel said he would check.
Steubenville City Council on Sept. 2 advanced Ordinance No. 2025-59, a second reading authorizing the city manager to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Unlimited Play, Inc. to plan a potential inclusive playground at Jim Wood Park.
During committee reports and discussion, Councilman Mayo asked whether paying a consultant for design work could preclude that consultant from later building and selling the playground to the city, describing a common procurement conflict concern. Assistant Law Director Bernie Battistel responded on the record, "I don't think in this case it would be a conflict, but I'll check." The council did not record a final legal determination in the minutes; Battistel’s statement indicates the city will verify procurement rules before contracting.
The ordinance was listed on the agenda as a second reading by the Parks and Recreation Committee; Council also discussed that the project includes planning steps and potential design changes, and that further action would follow committee and procurement review. Council did not record a vote on this ordinance at the Sept. 2 meeting; the item remains on the legislative calendar.
