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Garden City council approves five-year CIP, authorizes $7.36M road bond series and awards sidewalk contract
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the Garden City City Council approved a five-year capital improvement plan, authorized a second series of road bonds not to exceed $7.36 million (to be paid from a voter-approved millage), retained Bendzinski & Company as municipal advisor and awarded the 2026 sidewalk contract totaling $346,872.50.
Garden City’s City Council on April 20 approved a five-year capital improvement plan and a set of related infrastructure finance and procurement actions meant to accelerate street and sidewalk work.
The council unanimously adopted the capital improvement plan intended to prioritize projects over the next five years while noting that the CIP does not guarantee funding for every listed item. "We're doing our best to identify those we can realistically try for during the course of the next budget year," staff member Mr. Givens said as he introduced the plan.
Why it matters: the council also authorized the second and final series of road bonds for the city’s road-improvement program in an amount not to exceed $7.36 million, and staff said the debt service will be paid from a previously voter-approved millage rather than by raising city taxes. Treasurer Shannon Shepherd told the council each series is structured to be paid over five years and is front-loaded to take advantage of current construction costs and deliver improvements sooner.
The council approved an engagement letter to retain Bendzinski & Company as municipal advisor for the bond issuance and authorized payment of an issuance fee of $30,860, contingent on closing. "Having an advisor helps make sure that we're structuring the debt appropriately and that we get the best terms," staff explained during the discussion.
The council also awarded the 2026 sidewalk program to Luigi Fernandi and Son Cement Company (lowest bidder) with related design and inspection services. The itemized amounts discussed at the meeting were: Luigi Fernandi and Son Cement Company not to exceed $262,703.50; Hennessy Engineers design and construction services not to exceed $9,196; and Butcelli Group field evaluation, project administration and inspection services not to exceed $74,973, for a combined project total of $346,872.50 (including a 10% contingency). DPW Director Mr. Oman said the work will address trip hazards of one inch or greater in designated neighborhoods and that a pre-construction meeting is expected with work starting around June.
Council reaction and next steps: Councilmembers emphasized that the CIP was practical rather than a wish list and reiterated that the bond issuance is not a new tax. Motions related to the CIP, the bond resolution, the municipal-advisor engagement and the sidewalk contract passed by unanimous votes (7-0). Implementation steps now shift to permitting, contract notices and bond-closing procedures.
Votes at a glance: "Motion passed 7-0" was the recorded outcome for the CIP adoption, the road bond resolution (second series, not to exceed $7.36 million), the engagement letter with Bendzinski & Company (issuance fee $30,860 contingent upon closing), and the sidewalk contract award (combined total $346,872.50).
