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"When we look at $25,000 in the scope of $3 million, I feel when a firm specializes (in park design) we will get the most out of it," said Alderman Tammy Stowe.
"They may come up with things we never thought of because that is their primary focus," she added. "I feel that firm is the best find for what we need -I feel it is smart to hire a company that specializes in this."
However, Alderman Don Wurdack said the city should hire a local firm, that may donate work, to design the complex.
"I really think it is off base to hire an architectural engineer," he said. "It is absolutely ridiculous to spend $25,000. Anybody can do this - it does not have to be done by an architectural engineer who is going to draw pretty trees and a trail.
"If you are building a park with sports fields, all you need is sports fields and a parking lot," he added.
Plans call for new football, soccer, baseball and softball fields, as well as playgrounds, pavilions, concessions, walking trails and restrooms.
The Franklin County Youth Sports Organization (FCYSO) has been seeking land for sports fields and other recreational uses for several years. The group recently reorganized to promote the sports complex and raise funds to complete the project. The park will be located on 44 acres of ground located off Denmark Road south of Highway 50 for sports fields.
SWT, who met with a city committee last week, is a design firm that will work with URS, who will develop the city's comprehensive plan.
"We are piggybacking off that (comprehensive plan)," said City Administrator Russell Rost.
He said SWT will suggest how the city can fund the complex - if it can be purchased up front, through bonds, or if the city should ask voters to approve a tax initiative.
"All of those questions will be answered, hopefully, with the conceptual design."
Alderman Bob Schmuke added that the group can assist with grants for the project.
"This is exactly what we need to go out for grants," he said.
Alderman Paul Arand agreed with Wurdack that the city does not need a specialized firm to say how many sports fields can be installed at the property.
"I don't have a problem with it, but if there are going to be sports fields created, I don't think they are going to tell us anything different," said Arand. "Why do we need somebody else to tell us what we already know?"
Wurdack said that $25,000 could "buy a bathroom or building out there."
Schmuke added that the city appointed residents, park board members and city staff to a committee to make recommendations to aldermen, but that recommendation is being questioned.
"That's why I made the comment," said Wurdack. "So they know where my vote is going on this."
Mayor Mike Livengood was critical of one plan that was submitted over a year ago to the FCYSO by a local design firm.
"There is so much wasted space in that plan," he said. "There are ponds that don't need to be there."
He added that aldermen should be careful of getting work donated. "I think the board needs to be careful of what they start to get into," he said.
"Free is nice, but it could give a particular group access to bid - I think it is better doing it in a non-biased way so we are not pressured into taking input from everybody (all local engineering firms)."
The public service committee agreed to review the proposal from SWT, however, did not recommend the city enter into a contract with the firm.
"There are a lot of questions that still need to be answered that I don't feel comfortable that I have the knowledge to answer," said Rost. "I just want to make sure that the end package is something we use and use efficiently. There is an old saying that good engineering saves money."
