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Portola Valley reviews 2026–27 capital improvement program; court resurfacing, storm drains and resilience prioritized
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Summary
Finance staff presented the draft 2026–27 CIP including $2.2M in planned street resurfacing, a new $60,000 ADA curb‑ramp project, a Ford Field bathroom feasibility study tied to a $181,000 grant, and continuing discussion about court resurfacing funding; council emphasized storm‑drain vulnerability and resilience options including battery backup and EV fleet ideas.
Town finance staff presented the draft 2026–27 Capital Improvement Program and answered council questions at the April 22 meeting.
Finance staff reported nine active projects rolling from 2025–26 with roughly $1.3 million in project budgets and approximately $107,000 spent to date. Major needs identified included street resurfacing (estimated $2.2 million through 2027–28), a new ADA curb‑ramp project with a $60,000 budget, an annual storm‑drain repair allotment ($20,000/year), and a Ford Field bathroom feasibility effort tied to a $181,000 grant with design costs already incurred.
The town’s court resurfacing project (budgeted at $35,000 for assessment/design) is on hold pending the Ford Field feasibility study and a decision about reallocating PB Fund resources. Multiple councilmembers and public commenters said resurfacing is a priority for the recreation community, but residents and the council acknowledged limited town cash and a need to pursue fundraising or wait for voter‑approved revenue options.
Council members pressed staff on how staff‑time impacts are estimated and tracked; staff said projected staff time is multiplied from estimated hours for each employee and charged to the general fund. Residents and committee representatives questioned staff‑time estimates (for example, a $20,000 staffing allocation cited for the court project) and suggested forming a volunteer project committee to assist fundraising and reduce town staff burden.
Council discussion emphasized two cross‑cutting priorities: (1) storm‑drain maintenance and repairs given the risk of a heavy wet season and aging infrastructure, and (2) resilience measures tied to the $64,000 Peninsula Clean Energy (Westlight Energy) grant, with several councilmembers suggesting exploring battery backup for town facilities or an EV fleet vehicle (e.g., a Ford Lightning) that could provide mobile backup power.
Staff said the MTC EV‑charging grant will be coordinated as a multi‑jurisdictional project with a June MOU and anticipated work start in 2026. Council directed staff to refine funding buckets and return with more specific budget recommendations for June adoption.
Ending: Staff will return with more detailed cost breakdowns, revised project scopes and funding recommendations ahead of the June budget adoption timeline.
