The Clinton City Council approved multiple capital projects, including park upgrades at Emma Young Park (conversion of a defunct tennis court into four pickleball courts, a basketball court and one tennis court) and structural floor repairs at Eagle Point Lodge.

Councilor Seeley and Parks & Recreation staff described the Emma Young Park work as an effort to provide more diverse play surfaces near local headquarters; staff said the project will go out for bid with work to begin about April 20 and should be visible next summer.

On the Eagle Point Lodge, staff described a deteriorating subfloor and joist system causing an undulating floor and several trip hazards; the council reviewed bids and a scope that would add new pilings, OSB subflooring, insulation/vapor barrier and a finished surface. The council discussed three surface options: stamped concrete (rejected for cleanability/joint issues), vinyl plank (estimated at about $34,000) and hardwood (estimated about $76,000); staff said the city previously authorized $125,000 for the project and the low bid under consideration was about $68,000 for the primary work.

Josh Hager (Parks & Recreation) said the existing floor is patched together and that salvaging large sections of hardwood may not be possible; staff also noted a possible reuse of removed hardwood in an upcoming art project for the city.

Council approved the improvement items as part of the consent/pulled items process; items 7 k and 7 l were approved on roll call. Items 7 n and 7 o were approved by roll call with one "No" vote from Council member Seeley.

Why it matters: Repairs address safety and liability concerns at an aging, frequently used municipal facility and expand recreational opportunities at a neighborhood park. The decisions include tradeoffs on lifetime cost, appearance and maintenance needs.

Next steps: Staff will open the work to bid, begin site work for the park in spring, and proceed with the lodge repairs and related change orders as needed.