Longview staff outline $2.7M in proposed one-time projects including fuel station, city-hall remodel and pool repairs

City staff presented several proposed one-time capital projects and asked the City Council to authorize staff to return with firm bids and an amended CIP accounting for the projects.

Roland McPhee described the list and said current estimates show about $3.6 million in unallocated reserves, but that figures are budgeted estimates pending audit. "This is based on estimates from last year when we first started using the numbers," McPhee said, adding staff will return with updated numbers after the audit.

Key projects presented:

- Fuel station: McPhee proposed a supplemental fueling station to serve a large municipal fleet (about 493 vehicles, roughly 200 housed at Public Works). He presented a $1,000,000 budgeted estimate and projected a payback in about 3–5 years from wholesale fuel savings, estimating annual savings in the $200,000–$338,000 range depending on fleet participation. Staff said fuel bids would be solicited and any property purchase would be brought back to council for approval.

- City Hall renovations (IT and Finance): A $700,000 estimate would reconfigure cramped Information Services and Finance spaces to improve retention and productivity; McPhee said IT staff now number more than 20 and current layouts are poorly suited to their workflow.

- Paula Martin Jones pool repairs: A previously funded liner was installed but underdrains failed; bids for underdrain and decking replacement came in at $417,000. Citizens at the meeting urged timely repairs because the pool supports aquatic therapy and year-round programming.

- Development Services renovation and asbestos remediation: McPhee recommended remediation and new flooring at the former Texas Workforce Commission building with budgeted estimate near $300,000 to enable future remodels.

- Community attitude/satisfaction survey: A $125,000 statistically valid survey was proposed to update older data (2015) and better support competitive grant applications; Laura Hill said staff would issue an RFP and involve council in scoping to ensure district-level parity.

- Animal shelter digester replacement: Staff described a piece of equipment at the shelter that is at the end of its life and said replacement is necessary for staff morale and operations.

Council feedback focused on procurement, site ownership for the fueling station, potential public vs. private usage, and ensuring projects are timed so they do not interfere with longer-term remodel plans. McPhee proposed amending the CIP to include the one-time projects with budgeted estimates and returning to council with firm numbers, bid results and award recommendations.

Next steps: staff will refine cost estimates, prepare RFPs or bid documents as appropriate, and return to council with final figures and ordinance/amendment language for any CIP changes or awards.