Committee of the Whole - April 13, 2026

The City of Renton's Committee of the Whole meeting on April 13, 2026, focused primarily on the Cleveland Richardson Park master plan and the city's park bond funding strategy. The parks and recreation department presented the master plan, highlighting the park's design, community engagement, and estimated construction costs of $10.5 to $12.5 million. The plan includes ADA-accessible trails, gardens, and preservation of historic structures, with funding anticipated from state grants and the upcoming biennium budget. The meeting also addressed a strategic shift in funding approach for park modernization projects, proposing a two-bond strategy: an initial councilmatic bond of $15 million to complete design phases for multiple park projects, including Liberty Park and Ron Regis Park, followed by a future voter-approved bond for construction. This approach aims to reduce cost and schedule risks by ensuring projects are shovel-ready before construction funding is sought. Discussions included debt management options, potential tax impacts, and the importance of clear public communication. The council expressed support for the creative funding strategy and emphasized the need for timely project execution despite escalating construction costs projected to reach approximately $128 million by 2030.