Council questions park-board process after playground vendor picked

A council member told the council she was grateful for the park board's work but said the advisory board had not brought three bids and plans to the council as an agenda item and that the council had not formally approved moving the project forward. She said: "An advisory board is not a decision making board... all of those bids should have come… to the city council." The speaker urged the council to add the playground procurement to a future agenda so members could review bids and vet costs and fundraising plans before construction begins.

City Administrator Denson and other supporters of the park board said volunteers conducted interviews and community outreach and that the board would bring a recommendation to council. Denson said the vendor to be presented is Play By Design. One council member pressed on sole-source language, saying there appeared to be multiple vendors available and asked that procurement policy parameters be clarified. The council requested copies of park-board minutes and vendor proposals and asked staff to bring clearer policy language back to council so members can decide whether to approve the build, fundraising or grant strategies, or request additional options.