Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trails And Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $85,500 gap funding for Adler Road trail project
Summary
The council approved Budget Resolution No. 18‑2025 to cover an $85,500 shortfall on the Adler Road pedestrian/bike trail project, moving local contingency funds to close the gap after grant ineligible costs and construction overruns increased the total estimated price.
The Common Council voted to approve budget resolution 18‑2025 on Tuesday, authorizing up to $85,500 from general fund contingency to cover a shortfall for the Adler Road trail project.
Finance Director Jennifer Solinski told the council the project was originally funded with an 80/20 federal/state grant split; design cost overruns and 100%‑city land acquisition expenses were not eligible for the grant. “This was due partly because of an overage in the design cost,” Solinski said, and she added that land acquisition costs were not participating costs under the grant.
Background: the Adler Road trail is a Transportation Alternatives Program project that completes a link in the city trail system. Solinski said the project’s expected total cost had grown since the 2020 grant application because of construction increases and unanticipated design and land costs; the current estimate presented to council was about $769,000, with the city responsible for costs beyond the grant share.
Council discussion centered on procurement and project accounting. Members asked whether new project accounting and procurement procedures will better alert the council to cost increases earlier in a project’s life. Solinski said new project accounting and a forthcoming purchase‑order module should improve monitoring and that contract payments have already been made to contractors; the approval will not withhold payment to outside vendors.
Council action: after discussion, the council approved the resolution (motion by Alderman Tompkins, second by Alderman Fire). Solinski said the city had received $69,000 in donations that helped offset the overage, but the remaining shortfall required the contingency transfer.
Next steps: staff said they will finalize accounting entries and incorporate new procurement monitoring to keep council informed on project budgets going forward.
