City public-works and budget staff outlined capital-project items in the draft 2026 budget during the Oct. 28 public hearing, highlighting a mix of reimbursable projects, pending invoices and scheduling changes that could affect the final budget.

Kim Robertson, business administrator, said the city’s lease agreement for 1601 Toroneta includes a reimbursement clause: “Part of our agreement is that we will reimburse them, up to $1,700,000,” Robertson said, describing the developer’s renovations and the timing uncertainty because the tenant has not yet submitted the first reimbursement invoice. Robertson said if the developer invoices before year‑end, the city could reduce the amount it must pull from other funds.

Public-works priorities and costs: Dave Rudolph, interim director of public works, and Keith Gerber, highway and fleet superintendent, described upcoming and carryover capital projects. Staff identified a Beaver Street bridge replacement (the span over Willis Run) with an estimated project cost of about $600,000; the draft budget included a $400,000 request toward that project. Rudolph and other staff said a relatively small additional step—moving an on-site electrical line—had held the project up and that moving those lines is now budgeted at roughly $19,000 so the main project can proceed.

Other project notes: Rudolph and staff reported the PennDOT automated red-light project is on hold and that the city had near-term work on George Street and other reimbursable capital items. Public-works staff also said they are investigating energy-efficiency projects, including possible solar on several municipal roofs and the ice rink, but those proposals require further study and vendor discussions.

Ending: Staff said several capital items in the draft 2026 budget are contingent on outside invoices, reimbursements, or partner timelines and will be updated as the proposed budget is prepared for council action.