The Oak Harbor City Council wants residents to understand and approve of the ongoing project to redevelop the city’s waterfront park.

And they’re willing to pay for it.

During a council meeting Tuesday, council members voted 4-0 in support of a contract with the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for public relations and marketing of the Windjammer Park Project in an amount not to exceed $32,500.

In August, the city entered into an agreement with the chamber to perform public relations and marketing for the park. The agreement was not to exceed $7,699. That work included the initial development of the park message, creation of storyboards, the creation of large banners and advertisements.

The total of the city’s contracts with the chamber is about $40,000.

City Administrator Blaine Oborn explained that the new contract will extend until July 3, 2019, which is when the park grand reopening is planned.

It will continue the work of expanding the marketing to the Navy, off-island public places and the media, according to the city.

City staff initially suggested contracting with the Seattle firm Enviroissues for the marketing effort, but council members suggested working with the city’s chamber instead. The city contracted with Enviroissues earlier to help with outreach and education about the city’s new sewage treatment plant; an amendment to continue some work will be brought to the council later.

The treatment plant will be online soon. Equipment testing began at the plant this week.

Windjammer Park was closed and torn up during construction of the sewage treatment plant, but city officials plan to redevelop it to be better than ever. By the Fourth of July, there should be a large expanse of new grass, a splash park, two new kitchens, a pavilion and new bathrooms.