CIP plans to go before So. Po. council at upcoming meeting (Printed July 13, 2007)
Posted by Sentry Editor at 7/19/2007 1:49 PM 
Categories: Public Safety, So Po News, Environment, Open Space, Transportation, Knightville Mill Creek, Budget
Categories: Public Safety, So Po News, Environment, Open Space, Transportation, Knightville Mill Creek, Budget
By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer
With a limited amount of surplus funds available this year, South Portland Acting City Manager Jim Gailey said the 2008 fiscal year capital improvement plan (CIP) does not include funding for all projects, but it does move the city forward in a positive way.
Gailey presented the plan that calls for $5.7 million in funding for projects in 2008 during Monday’s workshop. Although Kay Loring, Ralph Baxter, Mayor Claude Morgan and Maxine Beecher were the only town officials present, Gailey planned to schedule a meeting with Councilors Jim Hughes, Jim Soule and Linda Boudreau in order to move the CIP forward for passage at the council's July 16 meeting.
The CIP reflects a request by the city’s Financial Director Rob Coombs to boost the undesignated fund balance and build up reserves, Gailey said. The city is seeing $300,000 surpluses at the end of the year rather than $1 million or $2 million, he said.
Funding for the 2008 projects comes from a combination of the current year surplus of $398,651; $257,804 from general fund reserves; $160,000 from sewer user fund reserves; $2.4 million from grant funds; $2.2 million from tax increment financing districts (TIF) and $245, 185 from prior-years’ CIP balances.
Gailey said he went back into previous years’ CIP budgets, dating back to 1997, to acquire funds from projects that either came in under budget or were never completed.
Morgan applauded Gailey’s efforts at finding surplus funds.
“It’s nothing short of tapping water out of a stone,” he said.
Among the projects funded by the TIF reserves, more specifically the National Semiconductor TIF, which had a beginning balance of $3.2 million, is the replacement of a treatment plant outfall diffuser for $1.5 million. The pipe that currently discharges water into the Fore River was constructed in 1978 and Gailey said replacing it with a multi-port diffuser will increase the dilution ratio of the discharged water.
Beecher said she would like the city to “really utilize” TIF money and questioned why Gailey didn’t use more of the available funds. Gailey said TIF funds come with a limit as to what projects they can fund.
Also included in next year’s CIP is $25,000 for phase two of Willard School park improvements. Gailey said the new playground located between Cottage Road, Pillsbury Street and Davis Street has become a popular attraction with local families and there are more improvements to come this summer. Phase two of the project addresses the lower end of the park, closer to Cottage Road, and includes the addition of benches, trash receptacles and plantings.
Funding for improvements to Willard Square are also included in next year’s CIP. The allocated $38,000 will go toward phase one B of the project, which includes curb work, sidewalk replacement, two streetlights and landscaping.
In the Mill Creek area, $520,000 will be allotted for traffic signal and pedestrian safety improvements. Of that $520,000; $478,560 will be funded through a grant from the Maine Department of Transportation.
The traffic signal work will be aimed at improving traffic flow on Broadway by allowing the signals at each intersection to communicate with each other rather than running on a timer. Gailey said it would replicate the system that is currently in place at the Maine Mall.
Improving pedestrian safety on Broadway would also be another goal, particularly where motorists make a right hand turn off of the Casco Bay Bridge.
The installation of thermoplastic crosswalks, which Police Chief Edward Googins said can be seen in Falmouth, is one recommendation for the project. Googins said the crosswalks, which are sealed to the pavement, are very bright and more durable than painted crosswalks.
Gailey also allocated $200,000 for next year’s street paving program. During budget deliberations earlier this year, Gailey pledged to build up the paving reserves. Next year, the plan is to have at least $400,000 for summer paving work.
Also included in the CIP is $1 million for dispatch console and equipment upgrades. The majority of the upgrades to computer technology and equipment such as cameras on fire and pilot boats will be funded by a Port Security Grant for $949,000.
The grant was captured by public safety officials from South Portland and Portland to assist with their efforts to move forward with the consolidation of the two cities’ emergency dispatch services.
As a condition of the grant, South Portland must raise a match of $105,000.
Staff Writer
With a limited amount of surplus funds available this year, South Portland Acting City Manager Jim Gailey said the 2008 fiscal year capital improvement plan (CIP) does not include funding for all projects, but it does move the city forward in a positive way.
Gailey presented the plan that calls for $5.7 million in funding for projects in 2008 during Monday’s workshop. Although Kay Loring, Ralph Baxter, Mayor Claude Morgan and Maxine Beecher were the only town officials present, Gailey planned to schedule a meeting with Councilors Jim Hughes, Jim Soule and Linda Boudreau in order to move the CIP forward for passage at the council's July 16 meeting.
The CIP reflects a request by the city’s Financial Director Rob Coombs to boost the undesignated fund balance and build up reserves, Gailey said. The city is seeing $300,000 surpluses at the end of the year rather than $1 million or $2 million, he said.
Funding for the 2008 projects comes from a combination of the current year surplus of $398,651; $257,804 from general fund reserves; $160,000 from sewer user fund reserves; $2.4 million from grant funds; $2.2 million from tax increment financing districts (TIF) and $245, 185 from prior-years’ CIP balances.
Gailey said he went back into previous years’ CIP budgets, dating back to 1997, to acquire funds from projects that either came in under budget or were never completed.
Morgan applauded Gailey’s efforts at finding surplus funds.
“It’s nothing short of tapping water out of a stone,” he said.
Among the projects funded by the TIF reserves, more specifically the National Semiconductor TIF, which had a beginning balance of $3.2 million, is the replacement of a treatment plant outfall diffuser for $1.5 million. The pipe that currently discharges water into the Fore River was constructed in 1978 and Gailey said replacing it with a multi-port diffuser will increase the dilution ratio of the discharged water.
Beecher said she would like the city to “really utilize” TIF money and questioned why Gailey didn’t use more of the available funds. Gailey said TIF funds come with a limit as to what projects they can fund.
Also included in next year’s CIP is $25,000 for phase two of Willard School park improvements. Gailey said the new playground located between Cottage Road, Pillsbury Street and Davis Street has become a popular attraction with local families and there are more improvements to come this summer. Phase two of the project addresses the lower end of the park, closer to Cottage Road, and includes the addition of benches, trash receptacles and plantings.
Funding for improvements to Willard Square are also included in next year’s CIP. The allocated $38,000 will go toward phase one B of the project, which includes curb work, sidewalk replacement, two streetlights and landscaping.
In the Mill Creek area, $520,000 will be allotted for traffic signal and pedestrian safety improvements. Of that $520,000; $478,560 will be funded through a grant from the Maine Department of Transportation.
The traffic signal work will be aimed at improving traffic flow on Broadway by allowing the signals at each intersection to communicate with each other rather than running on a timer. Gailey said it would replicate the system that is currently in place at the Maine Mall.
Improving pedestrian safety on Broadway would also be another goal, particularly where motorists make a right hand turn off of the Casco Bay Bridge.
The installation of thermoplastic crosswalks, which Police Chief Edward Googins said can be seen in Falmouth, is one recommendation for the project. Googins said the crosswalks, which are sealed to the pavement, are very bright and more durable than painted crosswalks.
Gailey also allocated $200,000 for next year’s street paving program. During budget deliberations earlier this year, Gailey pledged to build up the paving reserves. Next year, the plan is to have at least $400,000 for summer paving work.
Also included in the CIP is $1 million for dispatch console and equipment upgrades. The majority of the upgrades to computer technology and equipment such as cameras on fire and pilot boats will be funded by a Port Security Grant for $949,000.
The grant was captured by public safety officials from South Portland and Portland to assist with their efforts to move forward with the consolidation of the two cities’ emergency dispatch services.
As a condition of the grant, South Portland must raise a match of $105,000.
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