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ALLOCATE $300,000 OF COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FUNDING FOR RESTRICTED INFRASTRUCTURE USE
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to allocate $300,000 in Council Strategic Priorities Funding for restricted infrastructure use.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take all appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
On July 25, 2017, Council approved Motion No. 2017-07-25-1402-01 to allocate $750,000 for one-time use to Council Strategic Priorities. By the same motion, Council directed staff to return with recommendations for $300,000 of this allocation for infrastructure related expenses. Staff reviewed many potential infrastructure projects eligible for the restricted $300,000. Council is asked to review the list of potential infrastructure projects, review the staff recommendation, and approve a motion to allocate the available funding.
Staff assessed options that address various maintenance needs, ranging from park improvements to sidewalk repairs. The available funding is not sufficient to address the overall needs, and dividing the funds across all needs would be ineffective. At the July 25, 2017 meeting, Council expressed specific concerns regarding vandalized playgrounds and sidewalks. Contracts approved in December 2017 and February 2018 addressed the playground repairs and partially addressed the sidewalk repair backlog. During the same period, repair of miscellaneous park infrastructure was limited due to the redirection of operating funds to the park maintenance contract awarded on December 4, 2017.
Utilizing a portion of the infrastructure funds to undertake miscellaneous repairs in the current fiscal year is recommended to maintain park infrastructure. In addition to the park infrastructure repairs, staff identified two critical projects - Weber Point fountain repair (design only, $75,000) and Victory Park well replacement ($150,000) - that are high priorities. The Weber Point fountain is a recreational water feature often enjoyed by residents during hot temperatures, but unfortunately it is inoperable and in need of improvements. Collapse of the Victory Park well lead to significant cost increases to purchase water for landscape irrigation. Well replacement would reduce operating expenses and improve the ability to maintain the park.
Staff recommends that the $300,000 of one-time infrastructure funding be allocated as follows:
1. Victory Park irrigation well construction $150,000
2. Weber Point interactive fountain design $ 75,000
3. Miscellaneous repairs to supplement Parks contract $ 75,000
TOTAL $300,000
Council is asked to review the list of potential infrastructure projects, review the staff recommendation, and approve a motion to allocate the available funding.
DISCUSSION
Background
At the City Council July 25, 2017 meeting, Council discussed priorities for $750,000 of discretionary funding appropriated in the FY 2017-18 General Fund Non-Departmental budget. $300,000 of this amount was transferred from residual balances of inactive assessment and special district funds. The transferred balances are restricted to infrastructure maintenance or construction expenses. By Motion No. 2017-07-25-1402-01, Council allocated the $750,000, and directed staff to return with recommendations for use of the $300,000 restricted to infrastructure related expenses.
Councilmembers expressed interest in tree maintenance, sidewalk replacement, irrigation repairs, playground replacement, and other park improvements.
Key considerations for funding allocation are as follows:
• The available funding is insufficient to address the overall infrastructure needs of the City, and it is not possible to effectively spread the funds amongst all areas;
• On December 4, 2017, Council approved award of a contract to repair arson damaged playgrounds at American Legion and Weber Point Parks funded from grants and other sources;
• On December 4, 2017, Council approved award of a contract for parks maintenance that fully utilized the operating budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, limiting incidental repairs;
• The irrigation well at Victory Park failed in 2017, and is currently out of service. Landscape irrigation is being provided using water purchased from California Water Service at increased cost;
• Replacement of the well will minimize long-term water expenditures;
• The interactive fountain at Weber Point is currently out of service and not available to residents during hot temperatures;
• The Weber Point fountain requires an improved recirculation and disinfection system;
• On February 27, 2018, Council approved award of a construction contract to undertake $774,554 of sidewalk repairs funded from transportation restricted funding sources. Significant additional sidewalk repairs are planned for FY 2018-19 using SB1 funds.
Potential Infrastructure Projects
Options considered for use of the discretionary infrastructure funding included replacement of damaged playgrounds, repair of the Weber Point fountain, repair of the inoperative street lights along the downtown seawall promenade, repair of a portion of the approximately $6 million sidewalk backlog, removal of a portion of the approximately $550,000 tree and stump backlog, replacement of the Victory Park well, and miscellaneous park repairs to irrigation system, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic areas.
|
PROJECT |
COST |
COMMENTS |
|
Weber Point fountain replacement design |
$75,000 |
Total $575,000. Balance of funding to be requested in FY 2018-23 CIP |
|
Victory Park irrigation well replacement |
$150,000 |
Well failed in 2017, temporary potable water source currently in use |
|
Miscellaneous Park repairs |
$75,000 |
Demand expected to exceed $150,000 annually |
|
City-Wide tree (including stump) removal backlog |
$300,000 |
Eliminate current backlog |
|
City-Wide stump removal backlog |
$250,000 |
Eliminate current backlog |
|
Weber Point playground replacement |
$110,000 |
Project funded separately from insurance and other proceeds |
|
American Legion Park playground replacement |
$120,000 |
Project funded separately from insurance and other proceeds |
|
Downtown Seawall lighting repair |
$220,000 |
Requires ongoing security expenditures that are not funded |
|
City-Wide sidewalk repairs |
$300,000 |
Total backlog approximately $6M |
The playground replacement projects were the highest priority, and were approved with alternative funding on December 4, 2017.
Present Situation
Staff considers the highest parks infrastructure priorities to be repair of the Weber Point fountain, and replacement of the Victory Park irrigation well. The Weber Point fountain improvements are estimated at $575,000 and construction funding will be requested in the FY 2018-23 Capital Improvement Plan. Project design could proceed in the current fiscal year with an allocation of $75,000. This would accelerate the project timeline. The Victory Park well is estimated to cost $150,000, and allocation of funding will allow construction to proceed in 2018 and reduce FY 2018-19 irrigation costs. Irrigation using well water has significant long-term cost savings versus use of potable water supplied by California Water Service. The highest priority for the remaining $75,000 is miscellaneous park repairs, as there are no funds remaining in the operating budget for this work and demand is constant.
Staff recommends that the $300,000 of one-time infrastructure funding be allocated as follows:
1. Victory Park irrigation well construction $150,000
2. Weber Point interactive fountain design $ 75,000
3. Miscellaneous repairs to supplement Parks contract $ 75,000
TOTAL $300,000
Council is asked to review the list of potential infrastructure projects, review the staff recommendation, and approve a motion to allocate the available funding.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
It is recommended that the $300,000 of Council Strategic Priorities Funding for restricted infrastructure be allocated as follows:
|
Weber Events Center Fountain Filtration |
PW1735; 301-3020-640.20-62 |
$ 75,000 |
|
Victory Park Well Replacement |
PW1736; 301-3020-640.20-62 |
$150,000 |
|
Parks Operation - Miscellaneous Repairs |
010-3070-590.20-25 |
$ 75,000 |
|
TOTALS |
$300,000 |
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.