The city’s senior director of operations presented an updated Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2026–2030 to the Committee of the Whole on Sept. 22, reviewing project priorities, funding sources and the schedule for council consideration.

The administration described the CIP as a working planning and management tool that organizes capital needs across six categories (transportation and mobility, utility systems, parks and recreation, city facilities, equipment and technology) and aligns projects with funding sources such as Issue 12 capital funds, utility revenues, grants, TIF proceeds and debt. The presentation included completed projects, projects currently under construction and those proposed for the five‑year window.

For 2026 the presentation showed a multi‑category request totaling roughly $39 million across identified projects. In parks and recreation the presentation emphasized Academy Park, with a $6 million request for 2026 that consolidates several previously separate projects (parking, trailhead, shelter/restroom and play features) into a single project aimed at coordinated design and delivery. The director said Academy Park’s 2026 request reflects both construction and delivery costs and that some previous line‑item underestimates had been reconciled into the larger single‑project cost.

Other CIP highlights included the West Side sewer project (a multi‑discipline investment spanning water, sanitary and storm components), the Big Walnut trail and Link‑to‑Literacy trail projects, and a mix of smaller maintenance and technology investments. The director said $2.1 million in utility‑related capital is included for 2026 against a longer five‑year utility program totaling about $28 million.

Council members asked for clarifications and flagged follow‑up items. Councilmember Schnetzer asked whether Academy Park scope had changed; the director said scope is largely unchanged but delivery and parking design increased costs. Councilmember Dova asked how completed plans such as an aquatics facility master plan should be reflected in the CIP; staff said master‑plan outputs can be added as visionary or assessment‑stage projects and that the administration can insert a visionary project to keep the master‑plan results on the CIP radar. Councilmember McGregor asked about the pool lining life; the director confirmed the existing liner remains serviceable.

The director noted that the Creekside flood mitigation and plaza item is included in the CIP rollup as an actionable project in design but will not be part of the October 2026 budget request; the administration said it will return with a separate funding/bonding request for that scope at a later date.

Timing: the administration proposed first reading of the CIP update on Oct. 6, committee review Oct. 13, second reading and adoption on Oct. 20, and then the capital budget work would continue through the formal budget workshop schedule in late October.

Speakers in this segment included the Senior Director of Operations (presenting) and council members who asked follow‑up questions: Councilmembers Schnetzer, McGregor, Dova, Bowers and others.