The Chandler Municipal Authority approved a matching funds letter of $500,000 for the Rainbow Park Project to be submitted to the TSET Legacy Grant at their monthly meeting on June 10.
The project aims to renovate the city pool and Rainbow Park if the city wins the reimbursement grant. City Manager Jason Orr presented the plan to the CMA, using the recommendations made by the pool committee and estimating that the full project will cost about $7.5 to $8 million. Of that, $500,000 will be covered by the City, while the remaining amount will be covered by the grant.
The city manager said the City wouldn’t pay the entire bill up front, but that it would work like their other projects, where they receive a monthly invoice that is then approved by the CMA as a pay app.
Councilmember Rick Evans added that he assumed it would work like other such grants, where they are reimbursed after each progress plan.
“You wouldn’t be out the full amount. You’d be out whatever the progress plan is,” Evans said.
Orr has been working with Kimley-Horn to prepare the conceptual plans. He said they estimate it will take about a year for design, and then construction would take about a year. However, TSET allows for a threeyear project, so it would fit within the parameters.
The plans, which are subject to change, include renovating the pool, adding more parking, installing a new playground with a swing ring and a pickleball court, and constructing walking paths in the area. Orr said they also hoped to build a beginner BMX trail in the trees behind the park area for small children. As TSET prioritizes healthy living, elements that encourage physical activity were included in the plans.
The grant proposal was submitted on Monday, June 16. TSET Legacy Grants should be approved at their November board meeting.
The CMAalso approved an operating budget for the fiscal year 2025-2025 of $10,768,624.43 and two pay apps for Imel Park and Reed Park. For Imel Park, they approve the app of $84,745 to Scapes, Inc. For Reed Park, they approved an app from Firebrand Construction, LLC, for $10,003.50.
Following the CMA meeting, the Chandler City Council approved a resolution amending the City’s fee schedule. All fees went up by 2.9 percent, except for water, which increased by 5 percent. This is in line with inflation, though Orr said the City is still losing money on water.
“Eventually, my goal is to get to where water is paying for itself. It should function like a business. I mean, we’re okay. We have money to make things work, but eventually, water fees need to pay for water expenses,” he said.
They also adopted an operating budget for the fiscal year 20252026 of $7,442,899.84 and surplused a 1986 Chevrolet pickup and Zodiac boat, both being used by the Chandler Fire Department. Fire Chief Bobby Buchanan said they had fire departments interested in purchasing the items. The pickup was a total loss after an accident, while the boat wasn’t being used.
Additionally, Randy Carr was reappointed to the Chandler Regional Airport Authority Board of Trustees for a four-year term beginning July 2025 and ending July 2029.