MIN 05-04-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Discussion: President O'Malley posed questions about the Ward 4 projects not receiving funding for this year. He stated his hope to save these projects and have them continue forward this year. Mayor George stated that the projects were able to receive funding due to the use of Parks staff, which would keep down costs. However, many staff are off of work due to COVID related reasons. She expressed hope to get the projects done next year. President O'Malley questioned how many staff were out. Director Ducu indicated 10 employees are out of work, largely due to child care or caring for loved ones, and that Streets staff was planned to be used as well on the projects. President O'Malley questioned how the city received the bid figure received for the Madison Park lighting. Director Ducu stated that a bid came from Musco Lighting through the state pricing consortium at$96,000. President O'Malley asked when the decisions were to nix the projects. Mayor George indicated that the Cron-Prado Park was considered while reviewing the capital projects review for the year and that the Madison Park baseball field lighting was recently reviewed. President O'Malley stated his disappointment about the projects failure to move forward. Councilmember Bullock stated his support of the projects to move forward and asked if there is a way to find budget capacity to make them happen. He proposed moving forward with an amendment to amend the resolution to include the projects prior to HUD's May 8' deadline. President O'Malley noted that he has never seen any renderings of the Cron-Prado park redesign, despite his putting the item into the budget. Councilmember Kepple gave consideration to seeking bids on the projects, as the outdoor spaces are in need of attention. Director Ducu stated that his department just does not have the manpower to complete the work due to COVID related reasons at the time. Mayor George stated her support for the projects, but noted the need to make difficult budgetary decisions due to the effects of COVID pandemic. She expressed hope that projects deferred during 2020 would be completed in 2021. Vice President Litten noted that there might be savings associated with new lighting in Madison Park. Dan Wyman briefly reviewed the distribution of CDBG funding for the city's parks projects. Councilmember Neff stated her view that addressing the lighting at Madison Park is a safety issue. She inquired as to when the 10 Public Works staff are expected to return. Director Ducu indicated that there were various timelines due to surgery, COVID related reasons, and child care. The manpower issue that the department has run into only affects the Clifton- Prado Park and that the lighting project quote was $40,000 more than what was budgeted for. The lighting project was to improve the conditions of the baseball field.