Lawmakers concerned about use of money from rec trust fund

A proposal to use more than $300,000 from Kingston’s Recreation Trust Fund to make capital improvements at city parks is facing further scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about the possibility of cost overruns on the projects and the timing of the work to be done.

During a caucus meeting held virtually Monday evening, Common Council President Andrea Shaut said she sought additional information about the cost estimates used to come up with the budget for the projects being proposed. She said she still was awaiting that information and hoped to have it before Tuesday evening’s council meeting, when the matter was to be brought up for a vote.

Shaut said there are seven proposed projects and she worried that, if all started at the same time and had cost overruns, then the city could spend more money from the trust fund than anticipated.

The money being requested is 70 to 75 percent of what is available in the fund, Shaut said. She said part of the work would be completed by the city’s Department of Public Works, which currently is down in manpower due to employees being placed on furlough.

Lawmakers discussed the possibility of capping the budget on the projects or of creating a priority list of which ones would start first. There also was discussion about sending the matter back to committee for further consideration, but some members worried about delaying the projects for a month.

Alderman Steven Schabot, D-Ward 8, said the projects were likely somewhat prioritized by the city already. It should be easy to start with the highest-priority projects and see how they go, he said.

“This is a large share of the trust fund,” Schabot said. “I certainly don’t want to start going higher in it.”

Lawmakers are considering authorizing the use of $314,500 from the trust fund for seven capital improvement projects in city parks. Money in the trust fund can only be used for recreation capital projects that improve park facilities.

Of the requested funding, $25,000 would go to the construction of a new roof at the Hasbrouck Park pavilion; $50,000 would be used for the full reconstruction of a pavilion at Hutton Park; $50,000 is earmarked for the repair and replacement of playground equipment and tennis court at Loughran Park; and $50,000 is for the construction of a skate park in the city.

Another $70,000 would be used for improvements to the Rickel Knox Memorial Playground on Gill Street, including the installation of new equipment and safety improvements. There also is a request for $24,500 to be used for the installation of WiFi and security cameras at seven city parks and $45,000 for the removal and installation of a new boundary fence at Barmann Park.

The Recreation Trust Fund currently has $451,354.66 available, according to information provided previously by Mayor Steve Noble. The projects would be Julie Noble, the city’s environmental education and sustainability coordinator. Julie Noble is the mayor’s wife.

Alderman Patrick O’Reilly said there should not be any huge cost overruns for the projects if they are managed by a skilled individual.

O’Reilly, a nonenrolled voter who represents Ward 7, said Julie Noble has the necessary experience.