The parks and recreation department will carry over more than a dozen projects valued at $1.1 million into 2020 since many of them were unable to be completed in 2019.
The city manager and finance director issued a call for estimates for the 2020 operating and capital budgets to all city hall departments on June 25, a department report explained. Preparation, review and revision of departments’ budgets occurred from June 26 to Sept. 12, with final submissions on Sept. 13.
Included in the parks department’s 2020 capital budget submissions were requests to carry forward capital projects from this year, which were based on their incomplete status by September. Many projections were changed in that month, with the original carry-forward request pegged at $1,053,464 and then amended to $1,158,784.
The following 13 projects will be carried into 2020 for completion, including their original cost and the amended cost that the department submitted:
- City complex mechanical upgrades: $235,000/$235,000
- Library/art museum humidifier installation: $17,000/$6,500
- Crescent Park storm drain cleanout: $0/$1,100
- General parks upgrades: $78,000/$68,510
- Buildings improvements: $65,835/$59,265
- Pathways upgrades, including development and repairs in Crescent Park: $15,590/$15,590
- Reforestation of city: $880/$0
- Energy management program with city hall LED lighting: $0/$132,510
- Special needs upgrades to Smith Park building: $45,301/$45,301
- Kinsmen Sportsplex Arena upgrades: $425,000/$425,000
- City hall elevator replacement: $146,645/$146,645
- Community projects: $11,513/$11,513
- Parks dedication reserve of boulevard tree program: $12,700/$11,850
The increase in the carry forward amount is directly linked to the city hall LED lighting project being delayed, parks director Derek Blais told city council during one of the budget meetings. The project was expected to be completed by Dec. 31, but delays following the tender process resulted in timelines being pushed back. The expected completion date is now Jan. 31, 2020.
Furthermore, the elevator installation at city hall was expected to be completed by the end of December, but was also pushed back into January.
“This a good report that shows an extra couple of months would have helped us get work done. It is our shared goal of having the budget done and having a full year to get work done … ,” said city manager Jim Puffalt. “Every second counts.”
Puffalt added that $425,000 in funding was allocated to the Kinsmen Sportsplex Arena upgrade only in the summer, which was not enough lead time to have the project completed this year.
Several residents have said the Kinsmen rink seems to be colder than usual, which makes it especially difficult for little children to skate, said Coun. Heather Eby. She wondered what the issue seemed to be this year.
The lights in the Kinsmen Sportsplex arena were replaced with LEDs, which reduced how much heat was given off, explained Scott Osmachenko, recreation services manager. The glass was also replaced, so there was a reduction in airflow and no heat in the system.
Council then voted 6-1 to approve the parks and recreation department’s carry forward projects. Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
