McKenzie Agrees to Finance Phase I

McKENZIE (March 13) — The McKenzie City Council agreed on Thursday to finance $206,000 of $306,000 for what Mayor Ryan Griffin called Phase I of the Mulberry Soccer Complex. The total price tag is estimated at $1.8 million over 11+ years. In an unanimous vote, the Council agreed that only items listed in Phase I can be constructed until the $206,000 debt is clear. $100,000 was allocated from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds during Mayor Jill Holland’s administration.

Phase I consists of relocation/rerouting of Locust Street ($180,000); Sod soccer field with irrigation — 11/14-year-old field ($50,000); Seed and mulch soccer field — 8/10-year-old field ($25,000); Gravel concessions parking lot ($10,000); Gravel Mulberry Street parking lot ($25,000); Basketball court resurfacing ($15,000). The plan has a timeline of 2025-2028.

Phase II consists of lighting, restroom and concession building construction and widening along with resurfacing the walking trail. The price tag for Phase II is roughly $530,000. Mayor Griffin stated there is a pledged donation of $50,000 from a manufacturing center to be applied towards lighting. The timeline for Phase II would run from 2028-2033.

From 2033-2036, Phase III at a cost of $200,000 would consist of asphalting the concession parking lot and the Mulberry parking lot. There would also be improvements to the maintenance driveway parking lot. There could also be a Phase IV included which would be the most expensive endeavor of the project at $790,000 that would include playground expansion and the construction of four pickleball courts.

Looking at the financial side, Phase I would cost the City of McKenzie approximately $77,900 annually. The estimated total interest paid provided the City secures a bond at 4.50% would be $27,810. Phase II would require an annual payment of $181,600 and Phase III would cost $75,600 annually. Mayor Griffin did inform the Council that the price tags were figured by current prices with no adjustment made for inflation or cost increases.

Depending on the makeup of the Council and the individual holding the position of mayor, there is no guarantee how far the project will progress after Phase I. Mayor Griffin said that he did plan to work toward procuring Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) Grants to offset the cost of the facility upgrades.

In other business, a resolution honoring former Mayor Walter Winchester was read. Winchester died on February 17, 2025. The family will be presented with a copy of the resolution during the celebration of life.

Adam Czajkowski was given the floor during citizens’ input. Czajkowski presented concerns over large dogs running loose in the Linden Heights area of McKenzie. He stated residents are not following the leash laws, as multiple dogs are being controlled by electronic collars which are not foolproof. He requested the police or animal control to enforce the leash laws in place.

Mayor Griffin stated the City of McKenzie is currently looking at the possibility of moving the Animal Control Department under the domain of the Police Department. This would improve the rate of service as Public Works currently has dominion over Animal Control. Police Chief Ryan White added that there were 21 calls about animals in February. While that is considered a lot, he questioned as to if that constituted an additional officer or just an employee over Animal Control.

The Council will meet with department supervisors for strategic planning on Thursday, April 17 at the McKenzie Depot. Originally, members of the Council wanted to have the planning out of town at the Lodge at Paris Landing. Mayor Griffin stated the cost was around $3,000 to meet at the Lodge, thus it needed to be conducted in McKenzie.

The strategic planning sessions will begin at 9 a.m. with Council members meeting with department supervisors to discuss their future visions for their departments. Then there will be a meal at noon followed by the ranking of goals for the City of McKenzie. Ultimately, the Mayor stated he would like to take the top three goals and develop an action plan.

The next regular meeting of the McKenzie City Council is April 10 at 6 p.m.