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Work session raises questions about sidewalks, bike funding and bus electrification pilots
Summary
Councilors pressed staff on a sizable increase for new sidewalks, the low recurring bike fund, coordination with utility repaving on West Main/Cherry, Dominion pole remediation for ADA access, and the timeline and facility needs for CAT's bus electrification pilots.
Councilors used the CIP work session to press staff for clarity on sidewalk and bicycle investments, coordination with utility repaving, and how the transit fleet conversion to alternative fuels will be staged.
Speaker 1 presented transportation totals—about $11 million for FY27 and roughly $51 million over five years—and flagged “a pretty sizable increase in the new sidewalks.” Staff said the packet included a prioritized list of sidewalks and tiers for replacement.
On bicycle infrastructure, Speaker 2 and several councilors noted the bike fund has been historically budgeted at $200,000/year (about $275,000 in inflation‑adjusted dollars). “If you adjust for inflation, that's $275,000 a year,” Speaker 2 said, and urged restoring a steady annual contribution so the city can build a pipeline of corridor projects.
Staff (Speaker 10) said they are coordinating with utilities on West Main, Cherry and Elliott repaving projects and expect repaving and final striping to come after utility projects, which could be a multi‑year timeline. "We're coordinating with utilities and with public service on their repaving plans for Cherry and Elliott and for West Main going forward over this winter," Speaker 10 said.
Staff also added a Dominion pole remediation line to help buy right‑of‑way and remove poles that impede sidewalks; staff clarified Dominion performs pole moves and the city’s funds focus on remediation and accessibility work.
On transit, staff confirmed the CAT replacement plan buys buses and that the council previously committed to pilot battery‑electric and hydrogen options. Staff warned facilities and fueling capacity must be addressed before full fleet conversion.
No formal motions were taken. Staff will return with refined project lists, updated cost estimates and timing tied to utility schedules for repaving and bike facilities ahead of final CIP adoption.
