Englewood council reviews midyear capital projects; members press for clearer tracking on carryforwards and ARPA use

Englewood City managers and department directors presented a midyear review of capital projects Jan. 6, detailing how prior appropriations, grants and ARPA funds are being applied to energy-efficiency efforts, wayfinding and neighborhood signage, facility repairs and larger IT and police building projects.

The presentation covered department-by-department status updates as of November closeout and highlighted a few items that attracted the most council questions: a $200,000 ARPA set‑aside for a year‑out renewable energy/energy‑efficiency pilot; an apparent multi‑year, nearly $1 million CIP allocation for a fiber backbone; neighborhood wayfinding and signage projects funded in staggered batches; a proposed $1.39 million renovation for the police department’s nearby Fox building for evidence and equipment storage; and parks projects including a $1.3 million Little Dry Creek Plaza effort and $200,000 for medians on North Broadway and Hampton.

Council members pressed staff to clarify the CIP presentation’s terminology and accounting. Finance Director Kevin Ingalls and staff explained that “current year funding available” can include prior‑year appropriations that carry forward; capital appropriations roll forward year to year until expended, and funds not used within five years may be reclaimed per the city charter. Staff said some ARPA funds are committed as match for state grants (the $200,000 tied to a State of Colorado building‑electrification grant) but had not been paid out as of the November close. Council asked for clearer labeling of “allocated” versus “expended” and for a regular update showing when projects start and are expected to finish.

On energy and sustainability: staff explained a 2021 council set‑aside from the ARPA tranche (named in the presentation as $8.7 million across programs) established a $200,000 line for renewable energy efforts; Sustainability Program Manager Mel England later recommended using that amount to match larger grant awards and fold the pilot into a broader energy‑efficiency project across city facilities. Council members said the slide’s presentation made the funds appear unspent and asked staff to show where those dollars are encumbered as grant matches.

On broadband/fiber: IT Director Joe Eisenbark and council discussed a long‑standing allocation (shown in the packet at roughly $993,000) intended as annual contributions toward an originally proposed multimillion‑dollar backbone. IT said the original plan envisioned a roughly $20 million buildout and that the city has instead been holding yearly set‑asides and seeking opportunities to “piggyback” on street projects or pursue a feasibility study; staff said the next step is a Q1 broadband prefeasibility study. Multiple council members and the city manager urged staff to return with clearer milestones for the fiber allocation and to consider reallocating funds if the city does not see progress.

Communications reported progress on wayfinding and placemaking: primary gateway signs manufactured and installed; secondary gateway signs largely installed; community signs and historic district signage completed for downtown and the Civic Center District; and a $30,000 Comcast access grant (received in lieu of a public access channel) earmarked for studio equipment and public‑access programming. Neighborhood signage work is proceeding at a pace of roughly three neighborhoods per year, with an approximate cost of $10,000 per neighborhood (two entrance signs and 12 toppers). Council asked how neighborhood identities on signs will align with the city’s comprehensive plan update; staff offered to request planning provide crosswalk guidance.

Public safety and facilities: the police department described two capital items — a SWAT van purchase that was paid off and the Fox building renovations budgeted at $1,390,000; police said contractor selection for the roof bids is expected by the end of Q1 with construction likely to finish within months once started. Parks and Recreation said ERC (Inglewood Recreation Center) upgrades were near completion, that Bates Logan Phase 2 will use remaining Phase 1 leftover funds if council approves a budget supplemental, and that Little Dry Creek Plaza design updates aim for construction in late 2025 or early 2026.

Council next steps and direction: members asked staff to provide a follow‑up report that (a) flags projects that are “on hold” or have indefinite end dates, (b) explicitly distinguishes appropriated/encumbered funds from amounts actually expended, (c) lists start and expected finish dates and (d) identifies implementation risks and dependencies (for example, state grant match requirements, CDOT right‑of‑way issues for signage and vendor lead‑time for manufacturing). City Manager Sean Lewis said staff would revise the CIP presentation format and bring the remaining departmental items to a future meeting so council can examine projects the council considers highest priority.

Council members recommended scheduling another review during the next budget cycle (June/July) and asked that staff include the police chief and other implementing departments at the supplemental session so council can weigh progress and resourcing needs before finalizing next‑year CIP decisions.