Sedro-Woolley staff propose four-year Small Works Project roster to accelerate $350,000-and-under neighborhood fixes

City Administrator Charlie introduced a Small Works Project concept and invited public works planner Bill Bullock to present a sample roster of short-term capital and maintenance projects designed to be under $350,000, the threshold Bullock said is established by state statute. Bullock told the council the program would use an abbreviated bidding roster (3–5 contractors) and be organized across transportation, parks, facilities and stormwater to allow the city to execute smaller, targeted projects without pursuing larger funding programs.

Bullock said staff identified roughly $260,000 as potential seed money and recommended planning projects in a rolling four‑year pool so the city can adapt priorities annually. He cited sidewalk gap closures and ADA improvements listed in the city’s transition plan; an example parks project he cited was swapping ball fields at Riverfront Park with soccer fields at Winnie Hauser to reduce flood damage, a change Bullock estimated at about $220,000 and said still needs vetting. He also mentioned recurring maintenance needs (senior center roof, cemetery repairs) and the possibility of designing temporary traffic-control infrastructure to be compatible with a future permanent signal.

Councilmembers asked whether the city owned the land for the proposed park reconfiguration and whether proceeds from selling surplus city land (discussed as a funding option) could be used for parks. Bullock said the city owns the parcels and that sale of an unused parcel could feed the parks fund. Councilmembers also asked whether leftover ARPA funds could be used; staff clarified that the ARPA program is closed but that a special projects fund and other available sources (including stormwater and strategic council funds) could be applied depending on project eligibility.

Mayor Johnson and councilmembers agreed to schedule continued discussion in January, with Bullock proposing a public‑works committee review and a full council workshop to prioritize projects and confirm funding sources. Staff said some small works items (for example, recently installed RRFB pedestrian crossings) can still be delivered outside a formal program, but the roster would provide planning focus and allow opportunistic projects to be sequenced.