SIKESTON -- While on the road, a smooth driving experience is good. A smooth drive without stormwater flooding is even better which is the focal point of Sikeston's capital improvement plan for the fiscal year 2018.
Development of the capital improvement plans help city leaders look beyond the upcoming budget year, giving time to mull community needs several years into the future. During their Monday meeting, the City Council accepted the five-year CIP from June 30, 2018, through June 30, 2021 -- a widened scope is on infrastructure for the first fiscal year.
The CIP contains 60 projects, more than the city can realistically afford, but those of value to the city and residents. The CIP is not a budget, said City Manager Jonathan Douglass, but a tool for city officials and staff to help formulate the upcoming budget for future investments.
Douglass said CIP projects are purchases and projects of $5,000 or more for assets with a useful life of five years or greater. The primary focus for fiscal year 2018 is infrastructure, which accounts for 82 percent ($6,426,024) of the year's funds.
To prioritize CIP projects, top city officials scored projects either a "0," "1" or "2" in early September. The evaluation is based on several criteria, such as consistency with community goals, public health and safety impacts, feasibility, extent of benefit and public support. A project's ranking is not an absolute determinant of funding, but decision making tool.
According to CIP project rankings, infrastructure projects took up half of the top 10 project list. Street and stormwater drainage projects, costing $150,000, sit at the top of the list in the ranking. Some notable projects include a Sewer Vac-Con truck, $300,000; an airport runway seal and stripe project, $150,000; T-hanger upgrades, $17,000; and the construction of a new fire station, $4 million. In that sum, city officials will also look to replace work vehicles, sidewalk improvements and alley maintenance.
Another city priority is improving the quality of place, assets to enhance the city's environment. Quality of place projects and purchases accounted for more than 10 percent ($827,000) for fiscal year 2018. The largest expense is the rail trail at $400,000. The CIP also includes the replacement of fitness equipment around Complex Lake, $50,000; various ADA accessible playground equipment, $16,000; Recreation Complex parking lot maintenance, $40,000; bleachers, $21,000; and mausoleum repairs, $80,000.
Ballfields at the Recreation Complex may see significant improvements in the next few years, according to the CIP. The five-year plan comprises various field maintenance, new backstops and light replacements.
Health and safety, in the 2018 fiscal year, accounted for over 5 percent ($445,000) of funds for projects and purchases. Notable purchases include turn-out gear ($35,000), various weapons ($30,000) and several patrol/administrative vehicles ($300,000) for the Department of Public Safety.
A majority of funding for these projects stem from capital improvement funds, accounting for about 82 percent of total funding. Funding sources for the five-year plan include general ($400,000), capital improvement ($17,637,664), 911 sales tax ($200,000) and transportation sales tax ($3,148,000) funds.
The total five-year capital improvement requests from all departments is $21,385,664, according to city documents. Costs start high in the beginning then decrease as the years progress. For the next five fiscal years, costs for the CIP are $7,763,524 (2018), $4,270,446 (2019), $3,588,680 (2020), $2,767,317 (2021) and $2,995,517.
Other items of business at Monday's meeting included:
- Council conducted the first reading of a bill calling for the April 4, 2017, general election. The city has two candidates, Brian Self and John Graham, running for position of at-large council representative for a three-year term. Action on this measure will be taken during Council's Jan. 3 meeting.
- Council read and approved an emergency bill that transfers the former EBS building property to the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce. "In 2010, DPS needed a location," said City Attorney Chuck Leible, so they did a "three-way swap." This transaction finalizes that property swap he said that enabled the city to acquire property for construction of the current DPS Headquarters.
In 2012, the city entered into a commercial lease agreement with the Chamber, according to city documents. Under that agreement, the Chamber moved from 1 Industrial Drive to the former DPS Headquarters at 215 N New Madrid, leasing that property from the city for $200 per month. Under that agreement, the city also agreed to demolish the former EBS Building on the northeast corner of West Malone and North Kingshighway, then convey deed to that property to the Chamber.
Earlier this year, the Chamber vacated 215 N. New Madrid and moved into the other city-owned property at 128 N. New Madrid. The city also completed the demolition of the former EBS Building and is ready to convey that property to the Chamber.
In response to a question from Councilmember Mary White-Ross, regarding the empty lot, Mayor Steven Burch said there are "no immediate plans," adding the current focus is "trying to build the Chamber."
By adopting the bill, Council approved conveyance of the property and termination of the former lease at 215 N. New Madrid. The Chamber will then enter into a new lease agreement for 128 N. New Madrid, which the Council has previously authorized.
The next City Council meeting will be at City Hall at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3.