Commission reviews parks portion of five-year CIP, presses ahead on Sunshine Park bike-trail planning

The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the parks sections of the city’s five-year capital improvement plan (CIP), focusing on bike-trail projects and proposed funding. Staff described the commission’s jurisdiction over the Park Improvement Fund, Stewart Park Fund and the Bike Trail Fund and summarized the revenue assumptions and timeline for council consideration.

Staff said the Bike Trail Fund has limited recurring revenue (a 1% share of the gasoline subvention tax) and presented assumptions the CIP includes: an expected $150,000 recreation trail grant in fiscal year 2026–27, $50,000 in community donations and $10,000 in transportation franchise fee contributions. Staff proposed increasing an annual transfer from the transportation fund from $10,000 to $20,000 to cover modest maintenance work while seeking grants for larger reconstructions.

On Sunshine Park, staff said annexation into city limits is the first step before land-use approvals and grant work; staff reported progress with a land-use consultant and a positive meeting with a property owner that improved prospects for annexation and phased trail development. The nature-trail component was described as natural-surface reconstruction, invasive-plant removal and culvert repairs rather than paved trail construction.

A commissioner moved to recommend that City Council adopt the bike-trail portion of the 2024–29 CIP; the motion was seconded and a vote was called. The transcript captures the motion and a second, and staff noted the CIP will likely reach City Council in a piecemeal fashion (some projects earlier, some later) and that final council approval timing would depend on budget and grant cycles.

What happens next: staff will finalize CIP language for council submittal, continue work on Sunshine Park annexation, and pursue the specified grant and donation opportunities.