Well, I’m staying til its time for the game to start and I’ll have to do the rest in the morning . . .
Public Speakers
There 20 speakers. The first three are for reconstruction of Atwood and undergrounding utilities. They are concerned that it got pushed completely out of the 5 year plan.
Eskrich asks the process. Mayor says that they only have registrants on 3 items. Most appear to be on Jeffy Trail. Eskrich susggess they take them out of order. Mayor says he thinks DeMarb will have a motion. There is discussion about if people will staff until the items are taken up. Mayor says they will be the first of the controversial items.
One speaker on Midtown Station – David Glomp. (need I type on, or can you predict what he will say . . . ) He generally approves of fiscal responsibility, but the Midtown Police Station is something he is passionate about because Meadowood is troubled and he is asking them to reconsider funding it. He says it will increase response time. He lectures them on their responsibility to protect him and his neighbors.
All the rest of the speakers (a dozen?) were from Jeffy Trail, concerned about a road they don’t want, they didn’t want last year and when delayed they were promised to have a process for, but didn’t happen and they still don’t want the road through this conservancy area where there is a bike trail. They don’t agree with the process or the policy. They had 70 in their neighborhood that attended the meeting about this.
About 3 speakers in the mayor says he keeps getting registrants on Jeffy trail and they need to decide if they will continue to take additional speakers. They do.
MAYOR/PROCEDURE
He says there are 12 items that will take longer, and they will do a motion to take items that take less time first. That, will be the lightening round, and then they will take it up. They don’t have an item on Jeffy Trail. McKinney wants to make an oral amendment from the floor. Mayor says that they will take the motion but that it is last item, #35.
Motion is to take the following amendments first.
1 – 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17 22 – 28 and 32 – 34 are the lightening round. The others are more controversial and will take more time.
LIGHTNING ROUND AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1 – CCB Improvments
Soglin Amendment for $126,900 – The increase is due to the scheduled projects the County is anticipating completing in 2016 including elevator upgrades.
Debt Service $14,877
Taxes on Average Home – .16
No discussion. Mayor says he didn’t have confirmation county would do their work at the time the mayor did his budget.
Eskrich wanted to make a general statement, she thinks there needs to be more work done on their votes, there are quite a few items that are large ticket, her votes will be prioritization and general support, but her votes might change between now and November. Her votes tonight are not what she thinks will happen in November.
Passes on voice vote.
Amendment 2 – Engineering Service Building Improvements
Mayor Soglin, Alders Skidmore, Palm for 1,100,000 – This amendment will add general obligation debt reauthorization for the Service Building Improvements project. Funds for this project are included in the 2015 Stormwater capital budget. Additional funds from the Facilities Management Sustainability Improvements 2015 capital project have been allocated for sustainability improvements in the Service Building. Design and bidding is expected to take place in 2015 but the construction will not occur until 2016; therefore, reauthorization is required.Operating Impact
The facility addition will have a marginal impact on utilities. These costs will be borne by the utility funds.200,000 Facilities, 900,000 Stormwater = $1.1M
Debt Service $23,446
Taxes on Average Home – .26
No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
Amendment 3 – Capital Square Pavement Replacement
Verveer – $0 – This amendment provides clarifying language regarding the timing of the Capitol Square Repavement project. Construction completed in 2016 will include North Pinckney Street, East and West Mifflin Street, and North Carroll Street. In 2017 construction will include South Carroll Street, East and West Main Street and South Pinckney Street.
No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
Amendment 4 – John Nolen Drive, Blair St. Corridor Study
Verveer – $0 – This amendment directs City staff conducting the study to examine the potential installation of a quiet zone at the railroad crossing located at the intersection of John Nolen Drive, Blair Street, and Wilson/Williamson Streets.
Cheeks asks why it is part of the cpaital budget. Verveer says its on page 43, $100,000. Cheeks asks if the planning is a capital for a future project, they say yes.
Rummel says that she thought they will never get a quiet zone, will studying it help? Rob PHillips is not optimistic, but it can be studied.
Passes on voice vote.
Amendment 5 – Washington Avenue, West
Verveer – $0 – This amendment would shift the replacement of concrete on West Washington Avenue from 2020 to 2018 of CIP. Existing concrete will be replaced with asphalt, which will reduce overall project costs by $250,000.
No discussion. Passes on voice vote.
Amendment 8 – Rural to Urban Streets-Hillcrest Drive
DeMarb, Schmidt – $2,290,000 – This project will reconstruct Hillcrest Drive from Midvale Boulevard to Westmorland Boulevard and reconstruct Hillcrest Circle. The project also includes replacement of sanitary sewer, water main and installation of storm sewer. The budget amendment shifts construction from 2017 to 2016.
General Obligation Debt $ 750,000
Sanitary Utility $ 270,000
Storm Utility $ 350,000
Water Utility $ 520,000
Other Funding: Special Assessments 400,000
Total: $ 2,290,000
Debt Service $ 87,923
TOAH Impact $ 0.98
Verveer ask if it is a reauthorization. Schmidt says it is changing when it happens and the order. They explain 8 and 9 come together. THere is some stormwater GO money, Verveer asks if there needs to be an amendment of the utilities budget. No.
Passes.
Amendment 9 – McKenna Boulevard
Alder DeMarb*, Schmidt – (250,000) – This amendment will shift a portion of the McKenna Boulevard project from 2016 to 2017. In 2016 construction will include resurfacing McKenna Boulevard from Hammersly Road to Schroeder Road, including the construction of a median from Morraine View to Hammersley Road. In 2017 construction will include resurfacing of McKenna Boulevard from Hammersley Road to Pilgrim Road. The amendment will reduce 2016 GO Borrowing from $2,650,000 to $1,900,000. The 2017 GO Borrowing for the project will be $750,000.
Debt Service $ (87,923)
TOAH Impact $ (0.98)
McKinney added as a sponsor, passes.
Amendment 13 – Public Drinking Fountains
Verveer $0 – A portion of funding within this project will be utilized for the installation of a drinking fountain at the portion Brittingham Park located at John Nolen Drive and South Broom Street. Funding for this project is available within the amount recommended in the 2016 Executive Budget.Operating Budget Impact
Staffing costs to maintain the proposed drinking fountain is approximately $400 annually. Under the proposed water rate structure, annual water bills will be approximately $250. The total annual operating cost will be borne by the General Fund.
Passes on a voice vote.
Amendment 14 – State Street 700/800 Block
Verveer $0 – Replace language within the Executive budget that states: ‘This project will include plantings and the installation of a public art piece titled, ‘The Leaf’ with ‘This project includes installation of a public art piece on the 700/800 blocks of State Street.’
Passes on a voice vote.
Amendment 16 – Women Small Business Development Fund
Soglin $0 – Eliminate $500,000 in other funds for the project
This was a mistake, passes.
Amendment 17 – Women’s Small Business Dev Fund
Soglin $0 – Amend the name of project 17085 to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Resource Fund.
Also a mistake, passes.
Amendment 22 – Multiple Projects
Verveer $0 – All Metro Transit capital projects are jointly funded by local and federal sources. The overview below provides the funding breakdown by project in the 2016 capital budget:
• Facility Repairs and Improvements: 80% federal/20% local (the 2016 recommended amount includes a reauthorization of 2015 local share funds)
• Metro Satellite Facility: 50% federal/50% local, this breakdown includes potential TIGER VII grant funds.
• Transit Coaches: 5 buses will be split 50% Federal/50% Local, 10 buses will be split 80% federal/20% local.
• Transit System Upgrades: 80% federal/20% local
Passes on a voice vote. No discussion.
Amendment 23 – Building and Building Improvements
Verveer (135,000) – Reductions represent eliminating two major capital projects in 2016 due to the ability to perform the work in advance of scheduled timelines.
Passes on a voice vote, no discussion.
Amendment 24 – Revenue Equipment Replacement
Soglin 2,050,000 – Add $2,050,000 in reauthorized funding to support the purchase of new revenue equipment supporting the Parking Utility.
Verveeer makes an amendment similar to the mayor’s – adds the language to 24 from ??. Passes
Amendment 25 – Overture Center Customer Service Center
Verveer $0 – Upon completion of piloting the ‘Ambassador’ cashiering staffing model at the Overture Center Garage, Parking Utility staff shall prepare a comprehensive analysis regarding the outcome of the pilot. The findings of the study will be presented to the Transit and Parking Commission, Board of Estimates, and Common Council prior to expansion ‘Ambassador’ model.
Clear says it should say “Overture Ramp” or “Garage” – they make an editorial note to clarify. More discussion than needed. Passes.
Amendment 26 – Brittingham Park Improvements
Veveer – $165,000 This amendment adds $165,000 in impact fee cash for a sidewalk along North Shore Drive from the railroad tracks to Bedford Street.
Passes with no discussion.
Amendment 27 – Park Land Improvements
Alders DeMarb*, Verveer, Zellers – $40,000 – This amendment adds $40,000 in impact fee cash for color coating and striping the two tennis courts and striping the bike polo court on top of Unit Well #24 in Reynolds Park.
Passes with no discussion.
Amendment 28 – Land Acquisition
Verveer – $7.5M – Legislative File 40068 currently pending before the Common Council will authorize the determination of necessity for the acquisition of parkland for a Downtown Park. The total funding needed for these acquisitions is estimated to be between $7,000,000 and $9,000,000. This amendment adds $7,500,000 in impact fee cash to acquire the Downtown Park parcels, subject to final approval of the Common Council.Operating Budget Impact
Staffing for the maintenance of the new park will include approximately 400 hours of annual labor for an estimated cost of
$23,500. Additional ongoing costs for equipment, supplies and utilities is estimated to be $5,500. These costs will be borne by the General Fund.
Rummel says that the perception that this project is jumping ahead and there should be a process for this, even tho the funds are available. Rummel gets interrupted several times. Verveer says these funds are different. Staff explains these are fees in lieu of dedication of park land and can be used anywhere in the city. Mayor says most of the fees come from the downtown area. Rummel says that they should get more background. Mayor says the funds was required in the late 60s or 70s that the owners have green in the development and the narrow strips of green were inefficient recreational space. They thought if they made the change to allow developer use more of land and donate to parks they would get more density and efficiency and for that additional profit they could set aside funding for a larger park area for everyone.
Shiva Bidar asks about 5 year plan for acquisition – staff says that when there are lands adjacent to a current park, that is a priority. IN this case, the area is noted as deficient. There is no 5 year plan, but they look for opportunities. It’s hard to predict. Bidar asks if there are priority areas where they look for opportunities. Staff says those are the deficient areas that they are updating in the plan next year. Bidar clarifies that they need to approve this in the future.
Eskrich asks what the process is to spend the money and what is this action tonight. Staff says that there is a resolution that has been introduced, that would determine the necessity, that will come on Oct 12 and to council by Oct 20. Since the approval is moving through the system, it seemed they should add it to the budget as well if the council approves it. She asks about parkland run and operated by the city, what are the operating budget implications for this? Staff notes that impact is noted, but the operating impacts will be in a few years.
Rummel asks what page this fund is on, 183. She wants to know the balance. $9.3M.
Passes on a voice vote. Eskrich votes no.
Amendment 32 – Capitol Square Repavement-Sewer
Verveer $0 – This amendment provides clarification to the project description regarding construction timing of the project. Construction of the project is scheduled for 2016 and 2017. Full funding for the utility components of the project are included in 2016 to ensure the project is completed as scheduled.
Passes no discussion.
Amendment 33 – Bowman Field
Alder DeMarb*, Skidmore – $30,000 – This amendment will fund the Streets portion of resurfacing the parking lot at Bowman Field. The Streets Division uses Bowman Field for Driver Training and snow dumping during the winter months.
Debt Service $ 3,517
TOAH Impact $ 0.04
Passes no discussion.
Amendment 34 – Capitol Square Repavement-Storm
Verveer $0 – This amendment provides clarification to the project description regarding construction timing of the project. Construction of the project is scheduled for 2016 and 2017. Full funding for the utility components of the project are included in 2016 to ensure the project is completed as scheduled.
No discussion, passes.
NOT LIGHTENING ROUND AMENDMENTS
Amendment 6 – Schenks Corners
Rummel $0 – This amendment will provide funding for improvements at the Schenks Corner: Atwood Ave. / Winnebago Ave. Intersection in 2018. The proposed project will reconfigure the existing roadway and provide for placemaking and include undergrounding of overhead utilities. The cost of the project is $2,420,000 which includes $2,270,000 of GO borrowing and $150,000 of Special Assessments. Construction year will be 2018.
Rummel says they have been working on this for some time, they have a plan, staff have worked on it and they want it in the budget.
Mayor says there is the road, the placemaking and amendment 7. Mayor wants to know what portion of that is for placemaking if they don’t fix Schenk’s Corners (sewer etc) Rob Phillips says $1M is undergorunding and half placemaking – its about half and half. Mayor asks if that will come from a TID.
Verveer asks if this violates the undergrounding policy? Phillips says its on an arterial.
Mayor asks him to review the policy. Phillips wishes he had brought it. Mayor asks him to summarize. He says it arterial and collectors, a commercial district and meet one of several criteria about if it is set up to be undergrounded. Bidar looks it up and gives it to PHillips.
Verveer says he thought all of the undergorunding was from TIF, PHillips says that they can use GO dollars for undergrounding. Verveer says “like MOnona Drive”. PHillips says that there may have been some around the square – Verveer says he thought it was all TIF. Verveer suggests that if 7 uses TIF, they should use TIF for this as well.
Rummel says it is in TID 37 and it will be many many many years before the money will show up. She says they have been engaged in a robust process and she doesn’t want to lose the momentum. She says placemaking is an important goal, and she wants to keep it in the budget as a signal that they didn’t waste their time. She could wait til 2022, she wants to keep it on the table. She says every TIF is not healthy.
Verveer says he is trying to be helpful, he asks what the pavement rating is. Phillips says 4 – 5. Verveer travels this area alot and it seems in need of resurfacing.
Verveer asks if they know what year they recommended this. PHillips says he thinks it s 2018 or maybe 2017.
Mayor gives his speech about the capital budget being unsustainable and unrealistic and he made tough decisions. He moved many of them, and even with that, the capital budget for 2019, 2018 are excessive. Things change, there cna be adjustments. Regime change in WI could lead to n administration that is friendlier to municipalities, there could be changes in Washington that will lead to opportunities, we might get a TIGER grant ($18.5M) WE can’t project out right now. He doesn’t think its fair to have unrealistic expectations for the future. blah blah blah
They ask about when this was originally proposed. They don’t seem to know.
Rummel points out this was worked on before she was alder, 8 years ago.
They take a 10 minute recess.
And I go home to watch the Packer Game with friends . . . .
THE REST WILL HAVE TO BE IN THE NEXT BLOG POST
Amendment 7 -Atwood Ave (Utility Undergrounding)
Rummel $400,000 – This amendment will provide funding for the undergrounding of overhead utilities on Atwood Avenue from Rusk Street to Division Street. Funding is GO borrowing reimbursed by TID #37 using the 1/2 mile rule. Payback time is estimated at 2 years. Construction will take place in 2016.
$400,000 Engineering, Major Streets
Debt Service $46,892
Taxes on the Average Home – $0
Amendment 10 – Monroe Street-Reconstruction
Alder Eskrich, Bidar-Sielaff – $885,000 – This project will resurface Monroe Street from Odana Road to Leonard Street and reconstruct Monroe Street from Leonard Street to Regent Street. Included in this project is $2,000,000 for undergrounding of overhead utility lines and placemaking. Design will occur in 2016 ($885,000) and construction in 2017 ($9,120,000).
Debt Service $ 103,749
TOAH Impact $ 1.15
Amendment 11 – Monroe Street-Leonard to Regent
Eskrich – $0 – This amendment will provide funding to reconstruct Monroe Street from Leonard Street to Regent Street. Included in this project is $1,000,000 for undergrounding of overhead utility lines and placemaking. Design will occur in 2017 ($150,000), 2018 ($150,000) and 2019 ($140,000). Construction of the project will begin in 2019 ($5,410,000). The total estimated cost of the project is $5,850,000.
Amendment 12 – Monroe Street-Pedestrian Improvements
Alder Eskrich, Bidar-Sielaff – $150,000 – This project will improve pedestrian crossings within the Monroe Street corridor. Design and construction in 2016.
Debt Service $ 17,585
TOAH Impact $ 0.20
Amendment 15 – TID 36-Capitol Gateway Corridor
Soglin – $4,500,000 – This amendment will authorize $4,500,000 for potential TIF investment in the redevelopment of the 1000 North Block of East Washington Avenue, site of the former Madison Dairy. A developer has approached City staff with a potential mixed- use redevelopment of the block into a mix of market-rate and affordable housing and office space, to be served by structured parking. A formal TIF application is anticipated. $4,500,000 is an estimate of possible support. Upon future underwriting of the project, City staff will provide a recommendation for approval by the Common Council. The Boundary and Project Plan of TID 36 will require amendment to accommodate this project. The General Obligation borrowing is TID – eligible.
Debt Service $ 527,537
TOAH Impact $ 5.85
Amendment 18 – Employee Development Center & EMS Unit
Alder DeMarb, Hall $0 – This amendment will provide funding for the construction of an Employee Development Center and Medic Unit to serve the neighborhoods in southeast Madison. Design and site preparation will begin in early 2017 with construction being completed in 2018. The amendment will authorize $5,500,000 in 2017 of CIP. Medic services will continue to be provided out of this location until a permanent location for Fire Station 14 can be constructed beyond 2022.Operating Budget Impact
Staffing the new medic only unit on a 24-hour posture will result in the hiring of 9 additional Firefighter Paramedic positions. Under existing contract terms the ongoing cost of these 9 positions is approximately $900,000 annually. These costs will be borne by the General Fund.
Amendment 19 – Residential Internet Access Assistance
Alders DeMarb, Cheeks – $362,000 – This amendment will provide an additional $362,000 in funding for the “Residential Internet Access Assistance” project in the Information Technology budget for 2016. This will enable the implementation of all four pilot sites previously identified by the Digital Technology Committee. The current funding is sufficient for Darbo-Worthington and Kennedy Heights. The additional amount will provide funding to complete the Allied Drive and Brentwood sites as well.Operating Budget Impact
The City pays maintenance fees to the MUFN Consortium for the use of fiber. It is estimated that this amendment will result in additional maintenance fees of $9,600 per year.Debt Service $ 42,437
TOAH Impact $ 0.47
Amendment 20 – Relocate Pinney Neighborhood Library
Alders McKinney, Hall – $5.1M This amendment supports the purchase and design of a “gray box” for the relocation of the Pinney Library in the Royster Commons development (500 block Cottage Grove Road). The purchase price of approximately $3,000,000 will deliver a facility valued at approximately $4,500,000 due to the developer’s in-kind contribution. Design fees are estimated at $500,000. Build-out of the gray box is scheduled for 2017 ($3,900,000 GO/$1,000,000 private funds) with an anticipated occupancy of fall 2017.
Operating Budget Impact
In 2014, operating costs for the existing Pinney Branch Library location were $1,052,451. Costs to operate the branch have slightly increased due to an annual 3% escalator in rent and increases to staffing costs. The new location will result in the hiring of additional 4.55 full time equivalent positions within the Library. The projected cost of these positions is $282,385 annually. Additional operating costs associated with the new location are estimated to be $38,000. The net operating impact of the amendment is $218,385 annually. These costs will be borne by the General Fund.General Obligation Debt $ 3,600,000
Other Funding 1,500,000
Total: $ 5,100,000
Debt Service $ 422,030
TOAH Impact $ –
Amendment 21 – Library Major Repairs/Replacements
McKinney – $100,000 – This amendment provides funding in 2016 for major Library facility repairs and replacements. Planned projects for 2016 include two new heating coils, new carpeting, painting and major furniture replacements at Sequoya Library. It will also address HVAC replacement, the addition of a book drop, and a new door entry system at the Monroe Street Library. Remaining funds will be used for the most emergent facility issues which arise during the year.
Debt Service $ 11,723
TOAH Impact $ 0.13
Amendment 29 – Midtown District Station
Alds. McKinney, Schmidt, Bidar-Sielaff, Clear, Hall, Phair, King, Carter, Skidmore – $6,441,695 – As part of the Strategic Planning effort, staff has reviewed current data and future trends, including city population growth, citizen demands for service, and staffing levels to assist in establishing geographical borders for Police Districts. While MPD has been using a five district community-based model to provide primary police services for nearly two decades, data indicates that the districts are outgrowing capacity to meet the demands of the community. There are also capacity issues at four of the five district facilities. With the annexation of portions of the Town of Madison and Blooming Grove, and increased city growth, a new district station in the Midtown area will alleviate workload issues in the South, West and Central Districts, and maintain efficient response times. In 2014, the City purchased property on Mineral Point Road to be used for a Midtown Station. In the adopted 2015 Capital Budget, the project plan called for demolition of the structures at the station site in 2015 and commencement of construction in early 2016, however the former did not occur.General obligation borrowing required is as follows:
Add $981,695 of reauthorized General Obligation Debt (the Executive budget includes $728,305 of reauthorization).
Add $5,460,000 of General Obligation Debt in 2016.
Add $1,435,000 of General Obligation Debt in 2017.Operating Budget Impact
Staffing the new district station will result in the hiring of 11 additional positions. Under existing contract terms the ongoing cost of these 11 positions is approximately $933,000. Ongoing building operating costs are estimated to be $135,000 per year. In addition, six marked squad cars and one unmarked squad car will be purchased for approximately $337,000. These costs will be borne by the General Fund.Debt Service $ 755,163
TOAH Impact $ 8.37
Amendment 30 – Body Cameras
Verveer – $0 – Amend the project narrative as follows: (DELETE ‘A committee is currently evaluating whether or not the Police Department should utilize body worn cameras.) Funding in 2016 will implement a body worn camera pilot program in one Police district, (DELETE if the committee evaluating body worn cameras for police makes a recommendation to do so.) upon the adoption of a resolution by Common Council to proceed.
Amendment 31 – Midtown Station
Soglin $0 – This amendment provides that, prior to the construction of Midtown Police Station, a comprehensive analysis will be carried out reviewing staffing levels, district boundaries, and demand for police services in the City of Madison. This review will also examine policing levels in the City of Madison compared to comparable peer cities. The analysis will be carried out as a joint effort between Police, Finance, and RESJI Committee. The goal of the study will be to ensure new construction of a new facility is reflective of demand for service and Madison’s equity needs. Future funding of the project is subject to the presentation of findings to the Mayor, Board of Estimates, and Common Council.
