City staff presented a proposed five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering fiscal years 2027'31 with an aggregated total of roughly $525 million and a first-year program of about $103 million.

Andy (CIP staff) and Finance Director Chris walked council through the plan, which groups projects by department and funding source. The largest shares are transportation and utility projects; staff highlighted several projects for particular attention: landfill Cell 6 expansion (design moved earlier to ensure capacity), airport projects funded largely by federal grants and user fees, South Park Pool design (construction planned for a later year and tied to South TIF redevelopment), and a Fire Station 1 remodel.

Several discrete votes followed discussion and public comment:
- 20 First Street underpass: After debate about large cost estimates and project feasibility, Council member Boyette moved to remove the underpass from the five-year CIP; Council member Aspenleiter seconded. The council voted to remove the underpass from the near-term CIP 6-4. Those voting in favor were Aspenweiner, Kennedy, Boyette, Tidswell, Rogers and Owen; opposition came from Shaw, Gulick, Nees and Cole. Staff said the study will remain complete, and council asked staff to place the project on a future-projects list if appropriate.

- Evidence facility lot expansion: Staff proposed using South TIF funds to expand the police evidence impound lot. Several council members objected to using TIF funds for the project; Council member Michaud moved to change the funding source to general fund or another non-TIF source and Council member Gulick seconded. The motion passed; staff will re-scope the project, refine cost estimates and consider phasing or alternate funding.

- Cottonwood Park phase 1: A motion to add phase 1 of Cottonwood Park (parking, rough-surfacing, small bridges) to FY27 CIP with cash-in-lieu and private donations as a funding source failed on a recorded vote. Council sought more detailed design, clearer cost estimates and a maintenance plan before committing funds.

- Fifth Avenue corridor (rail-adjacent): Council voted to remove the Fifth Avenue corridor project from the near-term transportation CIP (7-4), citing limited right-of-way prospects and low near-term feasibility. Several council members noted that removing a project from the near-term CIP does not preclude re-adding it if circumstances change.

Other points: staff noted that some large future-year items (public-safety radio replacement and possible software modernization) are placeholders and may be staged across multiple years to avoid a single-year budget spike. Council repeatedly asked for more granular cost and maintenance estimates before advancing projects to the budget authorization stage.

Why this matters: The CIP prioritizes multi-year capital needs across utilities, transportation, parks, public safety and airport/transit. The council's votes re-prioritize near-term public investment and affect how staff will pursue design, grants and debt issuance in coming budget cycles.

What's next: Staff will adjust the CIP to reflect council direction, re-scope projects where requested (evidence lot, landfill timing, Cottonwood Park), and bring more detailed cost/maintenance analyses to budget and finance committee and future work sessions.