Board reviews draft FY2013 capital budget; 3 Notch Trail Phase 6 construction now estimated at $2.65 million

Rexton Park staff on Feb. 6 presented the department’s proposed six-year capital program (FY2013–2018) and the FY2013 capital request, and described changes and timing for several major projects.

Don summarized the capital program and said the most notable change was Phase 6 of the 3 Notch Trail, a roughly 5-mile section from Route 5 in Mechanicsville to Newmarket. The FY2014 construction estimate shown in the packet is $2,653,220, up from a prior estimate of about $2.2 million. Don listed several reasons for the increase: more stringent storm-water management regulations that add cost; the need to construct an alternate roadway or access because a long-standing dirt road (sometimes used as a public way along Church Lane between Immaculate Conception Church and Chaptico-Mechanicsville Road) lacks formal easement documentation and residents will need a replacement access; a $30,000–$35,000 cost to plank a pre-existing steel structure across a steep ravine; and additional buffering and tree planting to address adjacent property-owner concerns.

Don described a proposed funding mix for Phase 6 that relies primarily on state and federal sources with some local matching funds. The packet lists the approximate funding sources as: $1,400,000 requested from the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program; $120,000 from the National Recreational Trails Program; $466,000 from park impact fees; $225,000 from state funds (Program Open Space or Maryland Heritage Area Authority); $153,000 from proposed county bonds; and about $54,000 from local transfer tax.

Staff said Phase 6 design is roughly 40% complete and that staff will request the federal grant through the county commissioners in the coming weeks. Don also described Phase 7 (Wildwood to Hollywood Road), noting right-of-way and easement negotiation needs because prior road-widening and utility corridor purchases have altered the old railroad corridor in places; design funds are slated in later years and construction would occur further out in the six-year plan.

Other capital items discussed included: the Recreation Facilities and Park Improvements project (a consolidated project for repairs and replacements such as pool cover replacement, tennis court replacements, gym flooring and pathways), Lancaster Park athletic-field and parking expansion (design to bid in spring, noting Lancaster Park property is leased from the U.S. Navy and lease modification approval is required), Elms Beach and Myrtle Point weekend entrance fees (no change to policy — previously adopted by the board and Board of County Commissioners), a Leonardtown community park (design funds requested now; coordinated design with the Board of Education for an adjacent elementary school and construction funding in later fiscal years), and public-landings projects funded by the state's Waterway Improvement Program and derelict-boat removal program.

Don noted the FY2013 capital request shown in the packet includes $1,050,000 for department capital projects and an additional $129,000 for public landings; he cautioned the county commissioners may revise the package during their review.

Ending: Staff said the capital program would be submitted to the county commissioners and go through the county budget process with public hearings in April and final approval by the end of May; staff will update the board if the commissioners change allocations or project timing.