Vote on CIP amendments on July 27, 2021
RESULTS UPDATE
#1040 Add operating funding for tree canopy management to Town of Madison CIP project (Alder Gerhardt)
PASSED 5-3
#3368 – S. Syene-McCoy to Lacy Rd (Alder Udell)
PASSED 8-0
#4519 Add funding for solar panels to future well (2029) (Alder Gerhardt)
PASSED 6-2
#4723 Add funding for solar panels to future pump (2025) (Alder Gerhardt)
PASSED 6-2
#4725 Accelerate project- Flooding North of Dunn's Marsh (Alder Gerhardt/Maldonado)
PASSED 8-0
#4729 - Cheryl Drive Stormwater Improvement (Alder Arata-Fratta/Gerhardt)
PASSED 8-0
#4730 - Seminole Glen Stormwater Study (Alder Udell)
Amended to add $150,000 for mitigations in 2023— 6-2
PASSED AS AMMENDED 8-0
#6212 - McKee Farms Tennis Courts Improvement (Alder Arata-Fratta)
PASSED 7-1
#6261 - Nine Springs Golf Course Shed (Alder Arata-Fratta)
Amended to remove all funding for shed
PASSED AS AMENDED 8-0
#6263 - Tennis Court Improvements (Alder Arata-Fratta)
PASSED 7-1
#6273 - Neighborhood HUB Phase 2 - Community Center (Alder Arata-Fratta/Maldonado)
PASSED 5-3
#6275 – Northwest Teen Center (Alder Maldonado/Arata-Fratta)
PASSED 5-3
NEW Solar Panels at Sewer Lift Station #1 (2022) (Alder Gerhardt)
PASSED 7-1
NEW Moraine Edge Park (Alder Gerhardt)
PASSED 8-0
ORIGINAL POST
The council is in the final phase of this year’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process, and the final vote will take place during the City Council Meeting on July 27, 2021. There will a public hearing at 7:30 p.m, and later the council will vote on amendments submitted by alders, followed by adoption of the amended plan.
I have proudly submitted six amendments, three of which focus on expanding solar energy production in the city. If you’re passionate about combatting climate change, I ask for your support to get these amendments passed.
There are also many other valuable amendments, including community projects I fully support. See below for more information.
What is the CIP?
The CIP is a document that lays out a 10 year plan for the major capital projects that will be undertaken by the city, which helps with long term budget planning. By capital, we mean physical buildings, vehicles, road repairs, equipment and the like, which are significant expenses to the city. It does not represent everything encompassed by the city budget. The projects in the first five years of the document are more solid, the last five years are more theoretical. You can find the full CIP document and the document that lays out the amendments here. Please note that this will be amended at the meeting on 7.27.
Options for submitting feedback or participating
BEST OPTION: Attend the 7.27 council meeting at 7:30 pm and give a 3 minute testimony telling the council where you stand. Come to city hall (5520 Lacy Road), go to council chambers (end of the hallway on the left), fill out the form (get one at the back of the room), and wait for your turn to speak for 3 minutes. Can’t attend in person? I can get you a zoom link to testify on video. Email me to ask for a link.
Send written feedback to Council&Mayor@fitchburgwi.gov . Please note that if there are more than five emails pertaining to a single issue, the mayor will not read the email content during the meeting, only list your name as registering in support or opposition.
Register in support or opposition to an amendment without including a written explanation to Council&Mayor@fitchburgwi.gov . Your name will be read at the meeting as registering in support or opposition.
Watch the council meetings in person at City Hall (5520 Lacy Road), live at the Fitchburg City website or watch the YouTube video posted the day following the meeting.
Solar Power Amendments
In 2019 Fitchburg adopted R-26-19, a clean energy resolution to power the city with 100% renewable energy by 2030 to address global climate change. With purchases from the new O’Brien Solar Farm, we’re nearing about a third of that goal, but more progress is required. The 2018 Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) Report identified the energy usage of Fitchburg’s wells, lifts and pumps as having the most significant carbon impact of any city energy use category, significantly higher than any of the following three (fleet, City Hall, Library).
I’ve submitted three amendments to address this energy use category. The new project at Lift Station #1 is the most important of the three, because we have the opportunity to install solar at the site next year. The other two will add funding to include solar in projects that may happen in future years.
NEW Solar Panels at Sewer Lift Station #1 (2022) (Alder Gerhardt)
We began operating the city’s first lift station in the Terravessa neighborhood in 2019. As more households and buildings tie in, the use of the facility will continue to rise. According to city staff, consumption from Jan to May 2021 has already seen a 50% increase over 2020. There is city owned land immediately adjacent to the pump house available for ground-mounted solar. This amendment will add pole-mounted, adjustable solar panels adjacent to the lift station.
#4519 Add funding for solar panels to future well (2029) (Alder Gerhardt)
As we plan for the future addition of Well 13, this amendment seeks to direct staff to incorporate solar panels into the design of the project. Solar panels could be roof mounted and/or ground mounted, which may have an impact on building design and site location selection. The energy cost savings will pay off the investment over time. $50,000 should be added to the construction line item in 2029 to account for the cost of solar panels. A placeholder 15 year payback was assumed for the operating savings.
#4723 Add funding for solar panels to future pump (2025) (Alder Gerhardt)
Following the recent Subzero Kettle/Stoner Prairie stormwater study, staff recommended two mitigations that are included in this CIP project, one of which is Alternate B1 Fixed Pumping Station. This amendment seeks to direct staff to incorporate solar panels into the design of this pumping station. Solar panels could be roof mounted and/or ground mounted, which may have an impact on building design and site location selection. The energy cost savings will pay off the investment over time. $50,000 should be added to the construction line item in 2025 to account for the cost of solar panels. A placeholder 15 year payback was assumed for the operating savings.
I believe this is an important opportunity for the city to address climate change. We will also save the city money; it’s estimated that we will pay off this investment within 10-15 years. If you believe this is important, please speak at the public hearing or submit written feedback to the council (see above).
Community Projects
Alders Arata-Fratta and Maldonado have submitted changes to two community projects I fully support. Please take a look.
#6273 - Neighborhood HUB Phase 2 - Community Center (Alder Arata-Fratta/Maldonado)
This amendment is to restore the original funding source amount for this project to a combination of borrowing, park improvement and dedication fees (if available) and grants. Also, this amendment is to accelerate the design and land acquisition to 2023 and construction of facility in 2024. During last year CIP process, Alder Arata-Fratta and Maldonado introduced an amendment to reduce the Police facility’s (CIP #2141) size and budget and use that reduced amount (almost $10M) to fund the construction of the HUB Phase 2 and Teen Center.
The HUB Phase 2 is in the North area of Fish Hatchery, in an underserved area that for many years has lacked City services like children’s activities, adult programs, library and senior activities, and health programs. We cannot continue to postpone the construction of this facility in an area that really needs these types of services. See attached information about the HUB.
Community Centers break down barriers to care for residents that may lack transportation, have cultural differences, and have small income. For example, in many low-income communities, park and recreation facilities may be the only place for children to be physically active outside school, therefore having this type of community recreational centers would provide access and opportunities to populations that have high income disparities and lack of resources. WE need to see the construction of HUB Phase 2 as a community investment in this underserved neighborhood that when done will foster a healthy community, education, childcare and access to training and workforce development.
#6275 – Northwest Teen Center (Alder Maldonado/Arata-Fratta)
This amendment revises the timeline of the proposed Teen Center CIP Project. It restores the timeline of the project close to what it appeared in the approved 2021-30 CIP, with some minor revisions.
With a $30,000 community engagement study underway in 2021, this proposed 2022-31 CIP amendment would include a $30,000 concept design study in 2022 and a $40,000 feasibility and final design in 2023. This would be followed by one of two options: either the purchase and renovation of an existing building or a creation of a new facility in 2024-25. During the feasibility and final design, the city will put out a call for proposals for organizations to operate and lead programming in the space. After an anticipated opening in 2025, and to ensure sustainability, this proposal includes $50,000 annually to increase the capacity of the Healthy Neighborhood Grants program that tenant organizations in the Teen Center can apply for.
Other amendments I’ve submitted
NEW Moraine Edge Park (Alder Gerhardt)
Moraine Edge Park is a park idea that was conceived in 2005 and studied in depth between 2007-2010 by Dana Dentice, a City of Fitchburg Employee. The Moraine Edge Park (MEP) would be a 389 acre farm park with educational opportunities; the features could include a working farm, restored plant communities, trails, picnic areas, gardens, demonstration crops, visitor center, and a farming museum. This park has the potential to be a unique destination in Dane County, a jewel of Fitchburg’s park system, and an opportunity to highlight and preserve Fitchburg’s farming legacy. Other comparable parks include Pope Farm Park in Middleton, WI; Donald Park in Dane County, WI; Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista, MN; and Norristown Farm Park in Montgomery County, PA. While this project has already been conceived and studied, much work will need to be done to engage the public, choose the elements of the park, and plan for the potential implementation of this idea. As such, the land acquisition for this project (estimated at $2 million) is scheduled for 2029, which will provide lead time for planning and engaging with partners.
#4725 Accelerate project- Flooding North of Dunn's Marsh (Alder Gerhardt/Maldonado)
CIP Project #4725 is a Priority 1 stormwater project; it is ranked priority 1 because flooding results in first floor flooding of primary structures as well as flooding of City streets. This amendment proposes to shift this three year project one year earlier, to start in 2022 with a study. The other two priority 1 stormwater projects (4713 Fitchrona Road Stormwater Improvements & 4723 Lacy/Seminole Regional Stormwater) already have studies completed (Goose Lake study and Subzero Kettle study) with plans to implement the mitigations starting in 2024. Accelerating this project by 1 year will resolve the discrepancy between this project and other Priority 1 projects.
#1040 Add operating funding for tree canopy management to Town of Madison CIP project (Alder Gerhardt)
The tree canopy in the Town of Madison has a significant number of ash trees that may be poor quality or in need of removal due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle. We already face funding challenges to deal with damaged ash trees within the current city limits. Managing the tree canopy in the Town of Madison needs to be considered as part of this CIP project. This consideration should include funding for tree removal/replacement and forestry staffing, which could be a LTE forester position (480 hours) and/or increasing the hours for our part-time forester. Note: This amendment only changes the operating section of the CIP as the additions are not capital purchases.
Remaining Amendments
#3368 – S. Syene-McCoy to Lacy Rd (Alder Udell)
CIP Project #3368 was included in the 2021-2030 CIP with no additional funding during 2022-2031. Due to unexpected cost increases from roadway subgrade remediation based on soil samples and railroad improvement costs this amendment would split the existing project 3368 into two separate construction projects. The current 3368 project would be revised to include all project elements of the original project but only south of West Clayton Road.
This CIP amendment also includes funding for an additional construction project that would include roadway reconstruction of S. Syene Rd north of West Clayton Road through the intersection of McCoy Road. The new construction project would also include reconfiguration of the intersection of S. Syene & McCoy Road and the nearby Capital City Trail crossing to improve safety at both. The estimated construction cost of this new construction project would be $2,000,000 and additional design costs associated with completing the design to WisDOT standards of $60,000. Federal grant funding will be pursued to fund a portion of this project’s construction. This additional construction project would likely be designed in 2021-2022 and constructed in 2023-2024.
#4729 - Cheryl Drive Stormwater Improvement (Alder Arata-Fratta/Gerhardt)
This amendment is to raise the funding for this stormwater project to $300,000, all in 2022, split 50/50 between stormwater rates and ARPA funding. A stormwater study is underway to determine the alternatives to improve the flooding situation and will be complete in the Fall of 2021.The amount currently allocated to this CIP project is too low given its status as a Priority 2 stormwater project, the length of time the neighbors have faced this issue, and the fact that there are two phases of the project being studied. If the City is conducting a study that will provide solutions in 2021, it seems logical to start working in fixing this flooding issue in 2022.
The range of solutions may be very broad: additional inlets, pipe upgrades, pipe repairs, swale dredging, culvert cleanouts, more storage in McKee Farms Park, etc. These types of stormwater solutions are costly. We agree that it is too early to provide a true estimate because the possible mitigations have not been identified yet, however, it is crucial to increase the amount to $300,000 as a placeholder to start resolving this problem in 2022. This project may be funded by a combination of utility rates (stormwater) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The US Department of Treasury’s interim final rule offers expanded interpretation regarding the types of infrastructure projects that quality for funding under ARPA and stormwater is one of them.
#4730 - Seminole Glen Stormwater Study (Alder Udell)
This amendment accelerates the project from 2026 to 2022. In 2013 the east-west path was raised 4’, creating a levee preventing water from entering the natural overflow areas south of the ponds, an area currently in use as mowed play field. The result is that pond overflows are not impounded in the correct location, and stormwater does not infiltrate as did occur in the original natural function of the system. Instead stormwater that overflows the ponds channels directly to the wooded kettle area, causing erosive changes along the route.
In the Kettle portion of the park, the 150 plus years, oak/hickory species ecosystem is flood intolerant. This ecosystem could not have developed in the presence of standing water or intermittent flooding. Once dead due to root saturation, the trees will be unstable possibly injuring visitors to the park and the trees will be lost forever. Earlier interventions such as culverts between the ponds, culverts beneath the E-W path, have been done without the benefit of proper analysis and likely contribute to above described problems. The recent addition of a small earthen dam should not be considered to be a final solution to this years-long problem.
#6212 - McKee Farms Park Improvement (Alder Arata-Fratta)
This amendment is to restore the funding for the McKee Farms Park tennis court in the amount of $165,000 for the fencing and re do of the resurfacing to 2022. This is one of the tennis court most used in our Parks system that have lights and in one of the most used community parks.
NOTE: This is project has been removed in the previous CIPs but since COVID the amenities in our Park Systems have become more utilized by residents. This tennis court is in need of repairs. The City has 16 tennis courts that are on a 20 - 25 year replacement cycle, meaning one would be replaced every 2 years.
#6261 - Nine Springs Golf Course (Alder Arata-Fratta)
This amendment is to delay this project to year 2026 as originally planned in previous CIPs. Council voted down resolution R-95-21 on May 11, 2021 to accelerate this project construction to 2021.
#6263 - Tennis Court Improvements (Alder Arata-Fratta)
This amendment is to restore the funding for the Chicory Meadow tennis court in the amount of $160,000 for the resurfacing to the years 2024/25. This is project has been removed in the previous CIPs but since COVID the amenities in our Parks System have become more utilized by residents. This tennis court is in need of repairs. The city has 16 tennis courts that are on a 20 - 25 year replacement cycle, meaning one would be replaced every 2 years.
I hope to hear your opinion on these important projects.