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Item 1.C.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 02/13/2023 |
| Title: | Purchase Playground Equipment for Highland Park |
| Presented by: | Mike Whitaker, Parks, Recreation & Public Lands Director |
| Department: | Parks/Rec/Public Lands |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review | Not Applicable |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the purchase of playground equipment for Highland Park from Northwest Playgrounds in the amount of $110,267.38.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The playground equipment at Highland Park has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Council approved $206,000 for this purpose in FY 23. Staff intends to use the State of Montana Cooperative Purchasing Program to purchase the equipment. The Cooperative Purchasing Program negotiates a discounted price with vendors, enabling municipalities to purchase items directly from approved vendors in lieu of the traditional bidding process.
The department engaged the community and increased public input through a voting contest that was held at nearby Orchard Elementary School. This was done on January 24, 2023. Two overall concept layouts of equipment were developed that contained 2 layouts for the 2 to 5-year-old play area and 2 layouts for the 5 to 12-year-old play area. These concepts were displayed in the lunchroom of the school. Each child received 2 stickers and were asked to vote for their favorite layout in each of the 2 play areas. There were approximately 275 votes cast. The preferred concepts are shown in Attachment A. The voting contest allowed children who would most likely use the equipment to participate directly in the playground selection process and choose the final playground design. The equipment will be purchased from Playworld through Northwest Playgrounds at a cost of $110,267.38. This vendor is a manufacturer of play equipment nationally and internationally meeting all industry and federal standards. Staff is seeking Council approval for the purchase of this equipment. The remaining funding will provide for sub-surface drainage, fall protection, and play equipment installation.
The department engaged the community and increased public input through a voting contest that was held at nearby Orchard Elementary School. This was done on January 24, 2023. Two overall concept layouts of equipment were developed that contained 2 layouts for the 2 to 5-year-old play area and 2 layouts for the 5 to 12-year-old play area. These concepts were displayed in the lunchroom of the school. Each child received 2 stickers and were asked to vote for their favorite layout in each of the 2 play areas. There were approximately 275 votes cast. The preferred concepts are shown in Attachment A. The voting contest allowed children who would most likely use the equipment to participate directly in the playground selection process and choose the final playground design. The equipment will be purchased from Playworld through Northwest Playgrounds at a cost of $110,267.38. This vendor is a manufacturer of play equipment nationally and internationally meeting all industry and federal standards. Staff is seeking Council approval for the purchase of this equipment. The remaining funding will provide for sub-surface drainage, fall protection, and play equipment installation.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve purchasing the Northwest Playground equipment for $110,267.38; or,
- Not Approve the purchase and provide guidance to staff.
FISCAL EFFECTS
This project was budgeted in FY23 and is available within Park District 1. Upon approval of this purchase, a Purchase Order will be issued to encumber the funds.