City review of parks capital plan: $1.7M in new requests, $20.2M starting FY27 budget

Harvey Gunas, CIP manager and assistant city engineer, presented the Parks and Open Space capital improvement projects proposed for fiscal year 2027. He highlighted three completed projects from the current fiscal year—citywide parks ADA improvements (year 3), Sheridan Park playground replacement, and the Victoria Park splash pad—representing approximately $4,000,000 in improvements.

Gunas said the FY27 docket lists 15 projects: one new project (CFD 2001-1 landscape enhancement), one requesting additional funding (e.g., Montana Ranch slope repairs) and 13 carryovers. He described the Montana Ranch slope work as currently in preliminary geotechnical review and said the team originally budgeted $300,000 for planning and design with an additional $600,000 pre-budgeted for possible construction; total funding requests across projects were summarized as about $1,700,000, and the beginning FY27 parks/open-space budget was shown as just over $20,200,000.

Commissioners asked whether funds came from reserves for particular CFD/LMD zones (Gunas confirmed the Montana Ranch request would draw on the LMD reserves for that area) and how project beginning balances were calculated; staff explained the balances reflect prior-year encumbrances and expenses. Board members also queried whether year 5 of the citywide ADA improvements is final (staff said yes) and whether any red flags are anticipated; Gunas said preliminary indicators are favorable though a few projects require closer attention.

No formal budget action was taken at the commission meeting; the CIP materials had been presented previously at the spring financial workshop and will move through planning commission and council budget workshops before final adoption.