Committee advances sections of FY26–27 capital improvement program, flags funding shortfalls

The committee considered the first half of the FY26–27 capital improvement program and voted to support staff recommendations for the streets, sewer, storm drain and airport sections, forwarding those sections for council review.

Staff presented an overview of CIP funding sources and constraints, explaining that the city manages multiple restricted funds and that many infrastructure dollars are earmarked for specific purposes. ‘‘Funds cannot simply be moved from one purpose to another,’’ the presenter said, noting that parks and streets, for example, draw from different revenue streams. Staff said the draft CIP currently totals about $26.7 million and that projections may change as divisions finalize numbers.

On streets, staff highlighted five prioritized projects and emphasized preventive treatments such as slurry seal to extend pavement life at a lower cost. Major projects discussed included State College Boulevard (federal funds plus local match) and the Harbor Boulevard Complete Streets project, which would add protected bicycle lanes and sidewalk gap closures and proposes a lane reduction from six to four lanes in segments to accommodate bike facilities.

Sewer topics included an anticipated $2.5 million allocation next year (roughly $1.0M typical plus $1.5M in additional funding to advance the Euclid–Malvern siphon construction). Staff noted that the sewer system is generally in good condition but that master-plan projects remain unfunded and would require separate revenue actions.

For storm drains, staff warned of limited annual funding through the drainage capital fund and said the storm-drain master plan is outdated (1996). Committee members pressed staff on the need to update GIS data to make master‑plan work practical; a member moved that staff seek additional funds for GIS, and the committee endorsed the storm-drain recommendations.

The airport section was presented for information; staff flagged a future South Ramp pavement rehabilitation but proposed no new funding next fiscal year. The committee approved putting these sections forward to council by roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance: support for the streets section, sewer section, storm‑drain section (with a direction to explore GIS funding), and the airport section—all motions passed with members present voting yes and one member absent.

Staff will prepare the council report and resolutions to transmit the committee’s advisory recommendations. Any supplemental funding requests after bids or to advance unfunded master-plan projects will require separate council action.