Monitor File Photo
Rendering of The Eight at Tool master plan

TOOL–Mayor ProTem Mike Dumont announced, Oct. 19 that the approval of revisions for the grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was received. The revisions include replacing the splash pad for a pickleball court and revising some of the trails.The reimbursement grant is for $750,000 which requires an equal match from the city.
 Eight at Tool Park Construction Chair Leslie Anderson reported that the committee is continuing to work on the park budget. The committee has received quite a few bids and is in the process of reviewing them. Councilman Michael Fladmark asked for a time line for when visible work on the park will begin. Anderson replied with, “They (the park committee) is waiting on the city attorney to review contracts. One of the things that we wanted to make sure happens was that we had this last final piece of the paperwork before we actually started incurring expenses that we wouldn’t be able to get reimbursement on if something happened.” 
Dumont interjected, “The city attorney has the contract as of a few days ago.” Since the contracts have been submitted to the attorney, Anderson feels that clearing the property could begin in the next 60 days. Dumont added, “Actually I would like to start even sooner. Once we talk on Monday, we can start by getting the tree guy involved. That is a small piece of it, that we have to remove trees and do the trimming to get ready for the grading. So, we could even start that potentially next week. One of the grading contractors, that the committee is reviewing stated he could begin grading as soon as Nov. 1.” Fladmark said, “This is exciting. It has taken a long time to get to this point where we can actually talk about something getting ready to happen.” 
Fundraising Chair Vicki Dumont stated, “$426 was raised at the Fall Festival.” Dumont continued with. “All the work began Oct. 2021 with a gala. Since then small donations have trickled in giving a total of $79, 855. There is $44,240 in pledges that have not been paid.” 
Coming in the near future will be engraved bricks, each brick will be $100. Orders will be available on the City of Tool website in the coming weeks. Five park benches have been sold at $2,500 per bench, two picnic tables and three trees. The Parrot Head Club has paid for and will be sponsoring the volleyball court. The fishing pond is going to be named for Elder Dodge who has pledged $30,000 to date $11,000 has been received. Trinity Valley Electric Coop (TVEC) is going to be a sponsor with $22,500. However, $8,000 has yet to be received. Two cellphone solar stations have been purchased and are in storage. Dumont said, “The fundraising committee did have their first meeting. The majority of the money that we will be raising will be through sponsorships and naming rights like the amphitheater and pickleball court.” Money will also be sought through grants. Dumont said, “I do a lot of grant writing for the food pantry, so I have started looking at things. The grants can be corporate grants and private grants.”
In other business, council members:
• Presented appreciation certificate and key to the city to Maintenance Director Frank Martin for 20 years of service.
• Two of the three Tahoe’s ordered for the police department and code enforcement are in the process of equipment being installed.  
• Approved Landscape Assistance Program.  Citizens complete an application at city hall and if approved, their lawn care, mowing and weed eating, will be paid for by the city.