Public Works requests larger paving and stormwater budgets; city plans increased in‑house paving

Public Works Superintendent Mike Alcock presented the department’s 2026 operating and capital priorities, emphasizing road, stormwater and non‑utility capital work.

Alcock said the streets bureau completed roughly 11,500 tons of in‑house paving in 2025 (about 18 lane miles) and that the 2026 budget sets aside approximately $5 million for paving; half of that funding is expected from UGI cost‑sharing with the remainder from city sources. He said the department is hiring to restore full crew capacity and expects to run additional in‑house paving crews if staffing holds.

The stormwater program received particular emphasis: Alcock described a roughly $10 million stormwater budget for 2026 that includes about $5 million for construction and a $1.5 million city share for East Boulevard detention basin upgrades being coordinated with a neighboring township and tied to the city’s MS4 permit compliance. He said the city will fund swale and detention improvements to reduce downstream flooding and improve water quality credits.

Alcock also reviewed recent and planned non‑utility capital projects: Friendship Park improvements (basketball court, shade and water features), Rose Garden upgrades and downtown sidewalk ADA work; he said some projects are grant‑funded (carbon reduction funds, multimodal grants and Safe Streets for All) and that major streetscape and protected bike‑lane work on West Broad Street is tied to a nearly $10 million federal Safe Streets grant with an outstanding local match of about $1.4 million.

Council questions focused on schedules and staffing. Members asked whether long‑running problem sites such as Johnson Drive will be fully corrected; Alcock said channelization and larger capital repairs are in the five‑year plan but not necessarily in the 2026 budget. Councilmembers also asked about sidewalk and business‑district streetscape funding; Alcock described a modest $10,000 yearly streetscape line for repairs and said major downtown work will be coordinated with the larger street‑lighting and paving projects.

Alcock said the department continues to pursue electrifying the fleet (about 27 EV/hybrid vehicles in city and parking authority fleets, with six more proposed in 2026) and is planning additional charging infrastructure at municipal facilities.

No formal council votes occurred during the presentation; councilmembers thanked Public Works staff and signaled continued review in upcoming budget meetings.