Staff recommends that the Council approve the requested $4,000 amendment to the project budget and authorize the Mayor to sign any related documents such as a mutual release of all claims in order to close and complete this project.

During the past year the Parks department has been in the process of finalizing and closing the contract for the installation of the South Park Splash Pad. There arose a dispute about the final payment amount owed to the general contractor and the Parks department requested the assistance of the City Attorney's office. After an exchange of correspondence between the City Attorney and the attorney for the contractor it was agreed to have an informal mediation to resolve the amount of the final payment to the contractor. A mediation was recently held and subject to Council approval, it was conditionally agreed that the City would add an additional four thousand dollars to the remaining contract budgeted amount. The final payment will be $80,000 which consists of the contract budget balance of $76,000 and the additional $4,000 requested here. It is requested that the Mayor sign any related document needed to close this project including a release of claims mutually agreed upon by the City, CTA as project manager and the contractor.

City Council may:

• Approve the amendment to the contract budget, or;
• Disapprove the amendment.

The requested amendment will increase the project budget by $4,000 and will allow Park staff to complete and close the project.  The additional $4,000 will be paid out of the Parks budget.