OP Moves credited with sharply expanding paving, curb and sidewalk work

Public works staff presented a year-two report on the OP Moves sales-tax initiative and its effects on capital and maintenance programs. The department said the sales-tax increase (branded OP Moves) was approved by voters in summer 2023 and began collecting in April 2024, bringing an estimated $24,500,000 annually to infrastructure programs. "OP Moves has allowed to help fund all the projects that are listed here," staff said, and noted projects are also funded by PAYGO, bonds and outside sources.

Staff highlighted measurable outcomes: overlay lane miles rose from roughly 6 per year pre-OP Moves to 42 lane-miles in 2024 and 45 in 2025; curb miles increased from 10.7 to 39.4; sidewalk funding grew from $250,000 to $1,500,000 per year. The neighborhood street reconstruction program and bridge rehabilitation budgets were also increased, and traffic-signal replacements rose from one in 2023 to three in 2024 with multiple projects in design and construction for 2025-26. Staff warned the committee that an identified exposure of about $28,500,000 was the additional annual funding needed to fully sustain programs and that the city faces a backlog (roughly 132 lane-miles identified as in immediate need or beyond useful life). "If we did nothing ... by 2040 our infrastructure beyond its useful life is going to double," staff said.

Committee members discussed balancing thoroughfare versus residential reconstruction, resident disruption during NSRP projects, and the need to monitor buying power amid inflation. One council member suggested more community-facing communications — before-and-after photos and ribbon cuttings — to demonstrate OP Moves outcomes to voters and residents.