History | Utilities | Schools | Churches
MAYOR'S MEMO
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| John T. Hunzeker |
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Proposition P, the ½ cent sales to fund parks and storm water projects, was overwhelmingly passed in April 2007. Immediately staff began working on compiling a list of projects to be funded by the revenue generated by Proposition P.
Master Plans were updated, pool maintenance requirements were identified, public meetings were held, residents were interviewed, and engineers were hired to determine the scope of work necessary to address the parks and storm water needs within the city. In January 2008, the results of these efforts were presented to the Special Projects Committee of the Board of Alderman.
Sample Storm Water Projects
- Ward 1 - Tributary B - six structure replacements & eight bank stabilization projects
- Ward 2 - Richview Storm Sewer Connector - box culvert extension
- Ward 3 - Mattese Tributary - stream bank stabilization, culvert pipe replacement, basin modifications
- Ward 4 - Kennerly near Elnore - modify existing open channel with piped solution
These projects, along with many others, have been identified since May 2007. The likelihood additional projects will be identified is significant
| Projected Storm Water Project Costs | |
|---|---|
| Design: | $565,830.00 |
| Construction: | $4,450,537.92 |
| Storm water studies: | $55,000.00 |
| Total Costs: | $5,071,367.92 |
Funds for addressing these identified deferred storm water projects may be provided by Prop P monies allocated annually as planned in the 2008 budget. This action would require another ten (10) years to complete just this list of projects.
An alternative would be to issue City Municipal Bonds using our Capital Improvement Sales Tax as the funding source. Residents of Sunset Hills would be required to vote on extending the existing sales tax beyond the year 2016 expiration date. By approving the extension to year 2030, all identified storm water needs could be addressed and improved by 2010 with no increase in taxes.
Parks
The Parks department issues were just as dramatic and expensive. Here is the history:
- In late 2004 and early 2005, the Parks & Recreation Department conducted a survey identifying the facilities residents requested from Parks & Recreation. Survey response was 17% of total households. The top five priorities listed by survey respondents were Community Center, replacement of the outdoor pool, construction of a trail system, construction of an indoor pool, and land acquisition.
- In 2005 numerous meetings were held with the Special Projects Committee of the Board of Alderman regarding the creation of a ½ sales tax for the construction of facilities identified in the survey. During this period probable costs and a sketch of a potential community center location was determined.
- In December with a new mayor, the Board of Alderman approved placing a ½ sales tax on the April 2007 ballot.
- April, 2007 after much work from residents and Friends of the Park; Proposition P passed with a 68% approval.
- In 2007 the Parks & Recreation Department conducted another survey of residents. The results were the same as identified in the 2004/2005 surveys.
- With the survey results confirmed, the Park Master Plan was updated. The Watson Trail Pool Audit, a Truman Pool Audit and a Trail survey was conduct. Each of these efforts involved required input from residents at public meetings, including numerous surveys conducted at such meetings.
Recommendation
In January the Parks Board, Park Master Plan Steering Committee, Pool Advisory Board and Claire Gempp Davidson Memorial Conservation Commission presented their request to the Special Projects Committee of the BOA. The five formal requests are the minimum expectation of the boards and commissions. Funding for the request would be achieved by issuing Municipal Bonds supported by Proposition P funds.
Construction of a minimum 20,000 sq. ft. Community Center and Wellness facility.
Renovation of an indoor pool, or construction of a new indoor pool
Construction of a replacement outdoor pool, or major renovation to the existing pool.
A trail system throughout the city and future land acquisitions.
A Request for Qualifications for site selection and design of the above items will be presented to Special Projects committee of the BOA in February. It is expected the cost for the above recommendation will be between $5.7 and $9.5 million dollars. Funding for the request would be achieved by issuing Municipal Bonds supported by Proposition P funds.
Summary
This is an exciting time in the history of our community. After years of fits and starts, a path toward funding deferred infrastructure issues and resident requested park facilities is identified. We still have a long way to go, and if we all work together our path is clear.