Council approves $7.95M Paraty Park harbor reconstruction; members press for cash‑flow clarity

The council approved a recommendation from Public Services to award a reconstruction contract to Reagan Marine Construction of Newport not to exceed $7,949,000 for the Paraty Park harbor shuttle landing, seawall and floating dock project. The contract award followed a lengthy discussion about cash flow, bond timing and the city’s ability to commit to phased payments prior to bond proceeds arriving in January.

City staff and the city manager explained that the project is provisionally funded by the municipal infrastructure bond approved by voters in November 2024 and that the city uses pooled cash flow to manage payments until bond proceeds are received. Councilors asked whether the city would be required to make immediate large payments; staff clarified that the award primarily places orders (for docks and materials take a year to fabricate) and that invoices will be billed as work and deliveries occur. Despite questions about timing and whether the bond funds had been marketed, the council approved the contract 4–1. Harbor and project staff said the contractor is local and aware of the city's funding structure, and that early ordering helps secure production and shipping timelines for docks.