Council waives bidding to fast‑track library 'tiny town' playground

The Crestview City Council unanimously approved a request to waive the city's purchasing policy so staff can pursue an imaginative‑play 'tiny town' playground next to the public library without a competitive bid.

City staff told the council they had solicited a proposal from Lilliput Play Homes and recommended moving forward without bids because the vendor supplies durable, outdoor play structures similar to an existing program in Sunrise, Florida. "Lead times on this proposal are already 5 to 6 months, and so we really don't want to keep dragging it out longer than we have to," staff said during the presentation. Staff reported the estimate "came out to about a 143,000, and $19 for the buildings themselves, for the shipping, and for the installation." Staff also said a formal bidding process could delay the project by about 60 days.

Council members spoke in favor of the project's safety and youth‑development goals; one member noted parents want an enclosed play area for very young children. City attorney/legal counsel clarified that state law does not require bids for personal property purchases and that the waiver would be from the city's own purchasing policy. The council approved the waiver and related action by voice vote (5–0), allowing staff to proceed with the vendor proposal and next steps.

The city did not provide a line‑item budget or a final contract in the presentation; staff said they will return with the procurement paperwork and that the project's shipping and installation were included in the vendor estimate. The council's action was procedural: it waived internal bidding rules to allow staff to contract with the proposed vendor and start project procurement and scheduling.