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Upper Arlington council hears $217 million CIP plan; budget ordinances set for public hearing
Summary
City staff outlined a $217 million capital improvement program and a five‑year CIP, flagged coordination with Columbia Gas transmission work, and set public hearings for budget ordinances with final votes scheduled for Dec. 8; council approved two routine ordinances this evening.
City staff presented the 2026 capital improvement program to Upper Arlington City Council, describing a $217 million multi‑year plan that will pair bond issuances and cash funding to address streets, waterlines, parks and facility projects.
Director Lewis (presenting the CIP financing overview) summarized funding approaches and timing: about $132 million in bond issues is projected over the next decade while the remainder is expected to come from cash, fees (water, sewer, storm), and grant funding. “This is an aggressive plan,” Director Lewis said, noting the city’s AAA bond rating and the need to balance project funding with reserve policies.
Staff highlighted key 2026 projects: Northwest Boulevard Phase 3 (construction after the Fourth of July parade); continued street maintenance and reconstruction; waterline replacements (including Beverly Road and Lear Road); a multi‑year hydrant replacement program to address models with discontinued repair parts; sidewalk-gap projects and crosswalk enhancement work; and parks projects including Northland Park East athletic-field renovations, the Fancenberg service-yard design, and the Devon toddler pool construction.
Staff also described coordination with Columbia Gas, which will undertake federally mandated transmission-line replacement work across parts of the city in 2026. City staff said they will assign an inspector to Columbia Gas’ work, aim to sequence municipal work to avoid consecutive dig-ups, and emphasized that residents with technical questions should contact Columbia Gas directly.
On process, staff said ordinances 42‑2025 (updates to municipal program services, budget supplements and fee schedule) and 43‑2025 (2026 appropriations) were read into the record for first reading and scheduled for a public hearing on Nov. 17, with a vote set for Dec. 8. Director Lewis asked council to review budget books and attend upcoming meetings.
Votes at a glance from tonight’s meeting: • Ordinance 40‑2025 (acceptance of deeds and conveyances): moved and approved by voice vote. • Ordinance 41‑2025 (appropriation and transfer of funds, 2025 budget): moved and approved by voice vote. • Ordinances 42‑2025 and 43‑2025 (2026 CIP and appropriations): read for first hearing and scheduled for public hearings and a Dec. 8 vote; no final action taken this evening.
Council members asked specific questions about Redding Road (lane reduction and speed studies), left‑turn signals on Lane Avenue, Columbia Gas scheduling, and the prudence of using excess reserves toward capital projects. Staff said a speed study will be done after roadway changes to measure actual speeds before pursuing any administrative speed-limit change and confirmed the Lane Avenue signal will be evaluated during the 2027 project design phase.
Staff closed by reiterating outreach plans for more invasive projects and the importance of public input for major reconstructions. The council invited public comment and reminded residents of the Nov. 17 hearing on the budget ordinances.
