Council hears CIP preview: $56M in parks, $150M in water funds and hurdles for bike-ped overcrossing

City staff told the Santa Rosa City Council they have shifted funds and accelerated schedules to deliver dozens of capital projects over the next 12–18 months and the coming fiscal years. The presentation covered parks, water, sewer and transportation projects and identified specific milestones and remaining approvals for several high-profile efforts.

Parks: Director Hennessy said there is just over $56 million currently available for parks capital planning, with more than $30 million allocated to projects now in design and the majority expected to be delivered next fiscal year. The five top projects shown in staff slides are scheduled for delivery beginning next fiscal year. Hennessy said the MLK Jr. Neighborhood Park shows $2 million remaining and staff were instructed to consider phasing to ensure at least a Phase 1 can proceed. "We want to make certain that we're getting the funding out the door," the city manager said in council remarks.

Hennessy highlighted the Roseland Creek Park project and said the city will build a path and a formal crossing to Roseland Creek Elementary School this coming summer and intends that connection to be open before the next school year. He also said the Bennett Valley Golf Course irrigation pond reached 75% design and is on track for a summer bid, and that Howard and Galvin Park projects are close to bid.

Water and sewer: The Water Department is managing nearly $150 million in water accounts, with roughly $50 million already encumbered by design or construction contracts and about $100 million available for new projects. Hennessy said roughly 30 water projects are anticipated to be bid within the next 12–15 months, totaling just over $100 million. For sewer, staff reported about $44 million available and $32 million anticipated to be bid in the next fiscal year; a number of sewer projects have been phased to fund design and permitting before committing full construction funds.

Transportation and public works: The city has more than $20 million currently in construction, with projects including the Hearne interchange, Coffee Park and Fountain Grove paving, a Sonoma Avenue repaving segment and preparatory work for the bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing of Highway 101. Hennessy said the overcrossing is down to four remaining approvals—Caltrans, PG&E, MTC and the California Transportation Commission—with Caltrans and PG&E currently the primary hurdles. "We've done a lot of work with Caltrans … I'm fairly optimistic. PG&E is a different story," he said.

Other program notes: The Heron Community Hub design-build design notice-to-proceed has been issued, and a fleet garage project bid closed the same day as the presentation. Hennessy said staff are trying to prioritize full funding for projects rather than half-funding many projects, and the city manager encouraged staff to consider reprogramming funds where feasible to finish projects sooner while prices are comparatively lower.

Public comment: Roseland resident Dwayne DeWitt thanked staff for the Roseland Creek Park path commitment and asked that signal work at Burbank and Hearne avenues be prioritized for public safety; he also raised visibility and sidewalk concerns that he said staff and council have been addressing.

Implementation and next steps: Staff asked councilors to flag any prioritization changes ahead of the May budget study session; staff said they will return in May with a budget preview and to track bid results and delivery timing.