6. Memo - Outdoor Recreation Grant
Memo
Date of Meeting: 07/01/2022
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works
Subject: DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Update
In June, the DNR notified the City it had been awarded the Outdoor Recreation Grant for the
construction of the playground at the Community Center. At that time final processing of the
Grant were underway at the DNR to officially award the Grant.
On July 1st, a rough draft of the Grant Contract was received. City staff are now reviewing the
contract for clarity and have the opportunity for comment if any items require correction.
City Staff hope to have the contract posted in the meeting packet for Council review after
internal review is complete with any necessary comments by Staff.
Public Works has contacted Webber Design, playground equipment supplier for the project, to
update them the City has been awarded the Grant. The contact was made to determine
availability of the playground structures. Due to the timing of the awarded Grant manufacturing
of the structure would not begin until later this year and delivery of the structure will most
likely be pushed out to early 2023.
Moving forward with the playground project can still commence in 2022 with the removal of
the old playground structures and installing the new ADA sidewalk and installation of the
curbing required to contain the playground surfacing. Public Works could begin this work as
soon as August, but factoring in the potential disruption of the grounds for Taco Daze and the
peak usage time for the playground the project could start following the Taco Daze event or in
the Spring of 2023. Public Works deem it best to start the project this year during more
favorable construction weather than in the Spring when construction would not be able to start
until ground conditions firm up following snow melt and spring rain events.
City Staff proposes to Council to consider approval to move forward with the existing or
potentially amended contract between the DNR and the City so that when a final contract is
received the ordering process of the playground equipment can begin immediately for potential
cost savings during a volatile market with continually changing prices in labor and material.