12 - Leon Williams playground equipmentItem No. 12
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council
FROM: Michael Smith, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Leon Williams Park — Playground Equipment
DATE: May 8, 2023
BACKGROUND: The City of Paris Master Parks plan was adopted in 2013 and subsequent
amendment and workgroups prescribed various city parks be updated and improved in a timely
manner.
In 2017 a $9.25 million bond was passed for streets with $500,000 dedicated for park
improvements. $102,760 of those funds remains available for the purpose of making
improvements to city parks.
STATUS OF ISSUE: The playground structure located on the Leon Williams Park property has
reached its end of life and a recent inspection of the playground structure has revealed significant
cracking and peeling of the protective coating. As a result of the findings, this playground structure
has been closed to the public and will be removed from the property.
Staff would like to replace this old structure with a new structure and fund as much of this project
as is possible with the remaining bond money set aside specifically for parks improvement
projects. Staff expects to spend at least $102,760 on this project.
The playground structure vendor is registered through BuyBoard which enables the City to
eliminate the standard bidding/procurement process.
BUDGET: Costs up to $102,760 would be pulled from the 2017 bond fund and any additional
costs would be pulled from the General Fund, specifically the Parks and Recreation Department.
The City could also seek donations to help fund this project as has been done in the past with other
parks projects.
OPTIONS:
1. Council can choose to not replace the Leon Williams Park playground structure.
2. Council can direct staff to replace the Leon Williams Park playground structure utilizing
the 2017 bond funds ($102,760).
3. Council can direct staff to replace the Leon Williams Park playground structure utilizing a
combination of the 2017 bond funds and General Fund.
4. Council can direct staff to seek and accept donations to offset the cost of this project.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is the staff recommendation that the City Council directs staff to replace the Leon Williams Park
playground structure by utilizing a combination of the 2017 bond funds, General Fund and donated
funds.