City plans 45 projects in 2019
Capital Improvement Program proposals total $40.6M
Yuma is proposing 45 projects totaling $40.6 million for the upcoming fiscal year, according to the draft Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2019-23. The council will hold a public hearing on the draft plan during Wednesday’s regular meeting.
CIP manager Larry Halberstadt presented the draft CIP, which lists department priorities for the next five years, during a council work session held Tuesday.
A capital improvement typically falls into one of three categories: new construction, improvements to an existing asset and purchase of equipment. Projects must have a minimum value of $25,000 and be performed for one of five reasons: increase useful function or service capacity; extend useful life; upgrade essential parts; enhance quality of services; and reduce future operating costs.
Capital improvements are paid through taxes, fees and bonds, and many of the funding sources have restrictions on how they can be spent.
The 45 projects listed for 2019 are divided by department as follows: General Government (2 projects) $8.6 million; Parks & Recreation (1) $100,000; Public Safety (2) $1 million; Stormwater Control (3) $1.7 million; Transportation (19) $16.5 million; Wastewater Utility (8) $4.8 million; Water Utility (7) $6.3 million; and Yuma Crossing Heritage Area (3) $1.6 million.
New projects for 2019 include an Avenue 6E Multi-Use Path Road and Avenue 9E Bicycle Lanes that will connect homes in the Ocotillo Subdivision to the new Dorothy Hall Elementary School, which will open in 2019.
Projects that are currently under construction or anticipated to be under construction by June 30 are the new Fleet Services Building, a $9.5 million 40,000-squarefoot facility to be completed next February, and three road projects: Gila Street paving and utilities relocation, 3rd Avenue paving and utilities relocation and 27th Street paving from 4th to 8th avenues.
Projects anticipated to go to bid prior to June include the Smucker Regional Retention Basin, 8th Street Reconstruction from Avenue C to D; 1st Avenue paving and utilities relocation, Avenue A paving; and Figueroa Avenue Water Pollution Control Facility electrical upgrades.
Projects in the design stage include the PAAC and East Wetlands water supply; Fire Station No. 4 remodel; 16th Street paving
from Avenue B to Ave C; 4th Avenue paving from 32nd to 40th street; Utilities Building construction; Agua Viva Water Treatment Plant supervisory control and data acquisition upgrade; and the Yuma Multimodal Center at the old Del Sol Hotel.
Projects that have been completed are the Joe Henry Optimist Center improvements, Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex, Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground enhancements and West Wetlands upper bench parking area.
Other completed projects include paving of 22nd Street from Avenue A to 4th Avenue; 40th Street Bicycle/Pedestrian Path; a turn lane on 4th Avenue at the Big Curve; 16th Street water tanks exterior recoating; 24th Street Lift Station replacement; and 3rd Street waterline from 23rd Avenue to 18th Drive.
After the presentation, council members Mike Shelton, Karen Watts and Edward Thomas asked about improvements to 2nd Avenue between 10th and 12th streets, after a resident requested improvements during a citizens’ forum last month.
City Administrator Greg Wilkinson asked the council to defer making changes to the CIP. He noted this project wouldn’t fit into this CIP cycle because the city would first have to do a complete assessment before proposing improvements.
In addition, he said the staff is still going through recommendations made by a consultant following a study of the conditions of city streets and that some streets are in worse shape.
Deputy Mayor Gary Knight pointed out that normally residents form improvement districts and do them through the district. However, Shelton said he was concerned that an improvement district might be more of a burden in this area than it would be in a higher income neighborhood.
Councilwoman Leslie McClendon said she was having a hard time accepting the CIP when they’re still waiting to hear about the conditions of city streets. She also suggested that the plan include more information. Halberstadt said he and CIP Administrator Sue Cowey, both of whom are new to their jobs, want to improve the CIP.
To view the draft CIP, go to http://www.yumaaz.gov/city-administration/capitalimprovementprogram.html.