The Fairbanks North Star Borough finance committee on July 17 considered three advanced ordinances affecting capital equipment and facility maintenance.

Sidewalk snow removal tractor (Ordinance 2025-20-1B): Sponsor Mayor Hopkins introduced an ordinance to appropriate $194,648 in federal pass-through FAST Planning grant funds and $39,736 in local match from the general fund to the capital projects fund for purchase of a sidewalk snow removal tractor and associated equipment. Jackson Fox of FAST Planning told the committee the unit identified was a Trackless MT7 articulated tractor; the city of Fairbanks and Alaska DOT maintenance operations have used similar machines. Fox said the machine would be maintained by borough shops and could clear sidewalks at borough facilities and parks, including bus stops and the river walk. He also said the federal grant allows use beyond FTA-funded locations because this is not FTA money. The packet lists FAST Planning award amounts; staff said warranty coverage and anticipated low near-term maintenance costs were why maintenance estimates were limited in the ordinance packet. The ordinance packet in the record shows the federal appropriation amount and the required local match; the committee did not record a final vote in the provided transcript.

Hybrid vehicle purchases (Ordinance 2025-20-1C): Transportation staff presented an ordinance to appropriate $236,710 of federal FAST Planning pass-through funds (with no local match) to purchase approximately seven to nine hybrid vehicles for borough fleets. Staff said the project was funded from CMAQ (congestion mitigation and air quality) dollars and that each project required an emissions-benefit calculation; the hybrid-vehicle request ranked roughly in the middle of nominations and provides a small net emissions improvement relative to gasoline vehicles. Committee members asked about shipping and supply-chain risks for vehicle delivery; staff acknowledged recent barge and carrier disruptions could affect timing and price. Staff also said fleet maintenance cost estimates and mechanic training impacts were included in the packet (page citations were discussed during the meeting).

Pioneer Park Centennial Center column repairs (Ordinance 2025-20-1D): Public Works Director David Bradley and Pioneer Park Director Lee Williams presented a proposal to repair 24 exterior glue-lam columns on the Centennial Center for the Arts. The building dates to 1964; staff said the columns show varying levels of decay and that consultants recommended reinforcing 12 columns that currently lack larger bracing, epoxy repairs to three additional columns, vestibule-beam repairs and measures such as flashing and blind bolts to slow future decay. Staff said testing last fall cost about $27,000 and the structural-engineer work to date about $48,000. The total project estimate is $375,000, staff said, with approximately $170,000 available from a 2016 bond series; the ordinance would appropriate the remaining $205,000 from the CIP maintenance reserve (CIPMR). Staff said if repairs are not completed this season consultants recommend limiting snow loads to less than 15 pounds per square foot for the following winter. Staff also said the recommended repairs could extend service life of the columns by up to 15 years.

Why it matters: The three ordinances would commit federal grant funds and borough capital funds to equipment that affects winter public access and facility safety; the Centennial Center repairs address structural decay that staff say has been monitored for more than a decade.

Next steps: Committee discussion concluded and the meeting moved on to later agenda items; the provided transcript does not include roll-call results for these three ordinances. Staff offered to supply additional cost breakdowns, equipment attachment lists and a historical accounting of relevant bond and CIP funds on request.