Michael, a city staff member, reviewed the city's capital improvement plan (CIP) and funding sources during the Sept. 23 council meeting, outlining project benchmarks, procurement steps and near-term milestones.

Staff said property taxes are the primary CIP funding source and noted a beginning fund balance carried from prior years. Key progress items highlighted included: opening of the 100 East/Uranium Avenue corridor to traffic (paving complete though striping and some lights remain), Cane Creek improvements nearing acceptance pending punch-list completion, and a sidewalk construction bid on the night's agenda for council consideration. Staff said the Pack Creek footbridge will be moved off Nature Conservancy property to city storage; the crane operation to lift and relocate the bridge was scheduled for Sept. 30 and represents a major project benchmark.

On municipal facilities, staff noted building abatement work under procurement and a solar installation for a city building with an anticipated November installation. The city's dark-sky luminaire replacement program is in procurement and expected to begin installation by year-end. McKinstry (the firm under contract) has been performing HVAC and building-efficiency work; McKinstry also is preparing structural-evaluation work for the MRAC pool and facility, which staff said will proceed with a consultant contract below the council approval threshold.

Parks and open-space items include the Mill Creek evaluation between 100 West and 600 West (hydrology work complete; staff sought an anticipated update by Nov. 1) and continued stream-bank stabilization projects with NRCS review completed. On recreation facilities, staff described a planned replacement of an outdoor water feature that presents lifeguard sight-line issues.

Water and wastewater enterprise projects discussed included selection of a consultant for a SCADA system replacement (controls for pumps and valves) and continued work on the Spanish Trail water tank. Staff described a county overlay-zone process required for a tank on a county-owned parcel, and said the county commission was scheduled to make a decision on the request soon; the tank is intended to increase redundancy and fire protection. The city also continues design conversations with the National Park Service about a potential Arches water and sewer extension; staff said no construction funding from the Park Service is yet available.

Sewer project needs include replacement of an outfall that traverses Nature Conservancy property. Staff said the city previously received a large federal grant for an advanced treatment and outfall project that was later rescinded; the city is reviewing options for construction methods (trenching versus boring) and coordinating with The Nature Conservancy on allowable work in wetlands. Stormwater work is ongoing across many detention basins and stabilization projects; staff noted crews were active after recent flooding to clear silt and debris.

Staff identified a small number of CIP budget adjustments under consideration (two line items totaling about $250,000 in proposed increases), including a sidewalk project that received bids significantly above the engineering estimate. Staff said benchmarks and contract awards will return to council as needed and that a cleaned-up CIP presentation would be distributed to council members.

Council members asked for copies of the CIP presentation; staff said it would be provided and the schedule would be updated at the next quarterly update.