Stamford Planning Board Capital Budget Meeting - November 16, 2023

Introductory Summary

The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting on November 16, 2023, to review capital budget presentations from multiple city departments and agencies. The board approved minutes from prior meetings, heard detailed funding requests totaling approximately $88.8 million, and discussed the city's safe debt limit of $70–75 million, with $35 million reserved for Board of Education new school construction and an estimated $27 million available for all other capital projects. No final votes were taken; deliberations will begin on November 21, 2023.

Consent Calendar

• October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes – Approved unanimously by members Stephen Perry, Michael Totillo, and others.
• November 8, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes (Davenport Ridge Elementary School and Solid Waste Infrastructure) – Approved unanimously by members Teresa Dell, Jay Tepper, and Jennifer Gozzino.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Fidelie (District 17, Board of Representatives) and Emil Goldberg (District 13, Board of Representatives) attended as observers. No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Office of the Mayor: Community Development – Affordable Housing

• Presenter: Lauren Meyer (Special Assistant to the Mayor), Emily Gordon (Principal Housing Planner), Kylie Goselin (CEO, Housing Development Fund), and Jonathan Gottlieb (President, Ripple Woman Corporation / Charter of Communities).
• Request: $2 million for affordable housing capital (increased from $1.25 million in prior year).
• Housing Development Fund (HDF): Proposed a new 40–45 unit condominium project (1, 2, and 3 bedrooms) for households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) – approximately $137,000 per year for a family of four. Construction costs estimated at $500,000 per unit; sale prices targeted between $250,000–$400,000. The gap would be filled by public and private financing. HDF’s prior Washington Crossing project created 23 permanently affordable condos at 60% AMI.
• Charter of Communities (Stamford Manor): Requested $1 million for critical repairs to exterior stairways and walkways at the 215-unit federal public housing high-rise serving elderly and non-elderly disabled residents. Total project cost estimated at $4 million, with a funding shortfall. Repairs are urgent due to deterioration and code compliance.
• Discussion: Jay Tepper asked about the increase from $1.25M to $2M; Emily Gordon explained the intent to restore funding to historical levels (previously $1.5M ten years ago). Board members noted that the $1.25M in out-years is a placeholder. Stephen Perry inquired about using fee-in-lieu funds for future projects.

2. Stamford Fire Department – Capital Requests

• Presenter: Assistant Chief Miguel Robles.
• Priority 1 – Fire Apparatus: $2.3 million to replace two engines (2005 and 2006 models, 18–17 years old, vs. NFPA-recommended 10-year lifespan) and $300,000 to refurbish a multi-use command vehicle (water damaged, replacement cost $600,000+).
• Priority 2 – Personal Protective Equipment: $225,000 for 50 sets of coats and pants (up from $150,000 due to price increase from $3,000 to $4,500 per set). Ongoing annual replacement needed.
• Priority 3 – Main Firehouse Bathrooms: Urgent repairs for original bathrooms with mold and water damage.
• Priority 4 – Glenbrook Boiler Replacement: $100,000 for a leaking 40-year-old boiler.
• Priority 5 – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Bottles: Ongoing replacement of 50 bottles per year.
• Priority 6 – Drill Field Storage Building: Request for a lean-to to protect apparatus from weather; previous requests for covered storage at other city lots faced neighborhood opposition.
• Priority 7 – Central Firehouse HVAC: Original system; $358,000 for replacement of units and boilers. (Submitted by facilities, not by Fire.)
• Priority 8 – South End Fire Station Improvements: HVAC and water infiltration issues.
• Discussion: Stephen Perry suggested considering joint city-wide covered storage to extend equipment life. Robles noted previous requests for covered storage were not funded.

3. Operations: Solid Waste & Recycling

• Presenter: Dan Colleluori, Supervisor of Solid Waste & Recycling.
• Priority 1 – Transfer Station Improvements: Lighting, exhaust fans (8+ non-functioning), and a misting system for dust control at the 1984-built facility, which processes 75,000 tons of garbage annually. Critical for staff and public health/safety.
• Priority 2 – Downtown “Big Belly” Solar Compactors: Purchase 10 tandem solar-powered, compacting garbage/recycling containers with smart monitoring to reduce collection frequency and improve aesthetics.
• Priority 3 – Canal Bulkhead Repair: Design phase ($800,000) to evaluate failing retaining walls along the canal adjacent to the transfer station. Total project cost estimated at $11.5 million (engineering estimate by Lou Castlow). Potential for significant future bonding.
• Discussion: Jay Tepper noted the cost increase from $8M to $11.5M. Tony Romano confirmed grants will be sought. The board discussed handling large projects separately.

4. Operations: Traffic Engineering

• Presenter: Frank Petise, Transportation Bureau Chief.
• Roadway Design and Reconstruction: $1.1 million to leverage approximately $10 million in grants for three projects: Third Street corridor improvement (LOTCIP), traffic monitoring cameras Phase 2 (30 intersections), and traffic signal at Newfield & Vine.
• Vision Zero Action Plan: $500,000 to implement early-action items (medians, bump-outs, protected bike lanes, raised crosswalks) from the action plan due in early 2025.
• Safe Routes to School: $1.65 million to match two recent grants ($2M and $4.4M) covering design and 20% match; grant funds not yet received.
• Strawberry Hill / Newfield Avenue Corridor: $4 million city match for a potential $20 million Safe Streets for All grant (decision expected end of 2023). Also a LOTCIP Phase 2 grant for design.
• Parking Division Vehicles: $100,000 per year (funded from parking fund surplus) to replace aging vehicles (6–16 years old).
• Discussion: Jay Tepper recommended showing grant matching funds together in the budget. The board agreed to create a separate tier for grant-dependent projects.

5. Special Revenue: Water Pollution Control

• Presenter: Ann Brown, Supervising Engineer.
• CMOM Sewer Capacity Management: $600,000 (offset by $275,000 Clean Water Fund grant, balance from WPCA reserve) for flow monitoring, smoke testing, and TV inspections to identify infiltration/inflow problems.
• Sanitary Pumping Station Repairs: $120,000 for design of Saddle Rock station replacement; $1.28 million for construction. $530,000 for design of Albert Lane and Commerce Road stations (both older, with Albert Lane among the oldest in Connecticut). Plus $50,000 for ongoing repairs across 23 stations. Funded from WPCA reserve.
• Vehicle Replacement: $650,000 to replace a vac truck and a jet truck with a combined jet-vac truck, plus $50,000 for routine maintenance. Funded from WPCA reserve.
• Discussion: Jay Tepper requested the current balance of the WPCA reserve fund; Ann Brown agreed to provide the figure.

6. Board of Education: Capital & Short-Term Financing

• Presenter: Katherine LoBalbo (Director of School Construction) for capital items; Kevin McCarthy (Director of Facilities), Mike Pensiero (Director of IT), and Alec Iagman (Coordinator of Technology Integration) for short-term items.
• Capital Requests (total $24.4 million presented):
  • Stark School: $500,000 for accessible bathroom renovations.
  • Safety & Security Infrastructure: Ongoing compliance with state mandates (out-year funding).
  • Northeast School: $1.2 million for abatement and wall repairs (60% state reimbursement expected).
  • Stamford High School: Roofing (final section) at $2.4 million (60% grant expected) and fire alarm upgrade.
  • Solar Panels at four schools (Westover, Strawberry Hill, Rogers, and others): Funded via an NRES grant that will pay the district millions for energy generated; no offset of building energy use.
  • AITE: Fire alarm upgrade.
  • Newfield School: MEP controls and fire alarm; $0 state grant assumed (previous application denied, will reapply).
  • Rippowam: HVAC and accessibility improvements.
  • Hart School: Roofing/waterproofing and accessible bathroom.
  • Toquam School: $2.5 million for switchgear replacement (building remains in use until new south school opens; equipment can be transferred).
  • Turn of River: Roof replacement.
  • District-wide Asbestos: Emergency response abatement.
  • Davenport: Site drainage.
• Short-Term Financing Requests:
  • Security Upgrades ($600,000): Cameras, walkie-talkies, environmental sensors, visitor management.
  • Facility Equipment ($650,000): Ride-on leaf blowers, custodial/landscape equipment, attachments for John Deere tractors, and site trucks for snow plowing.
  • Technology Equipment ($1.5 million): Chromebooks, staff computers, smart teaching boards on a 5–8 year replacement cycle; move from catch-up to maintenance phase.
• Discussion: Katherine LoBalbo emphasized 60% reimbursement for many projects. Jay Tepper asked about fuel savings from solar; LoBalbo clarified energy is sold back to the grid. The board acknowledged ongoing support for school safety and technology.

Financing Overview by Chair Teresa Dell and Tony Romano

• Tony Romano (OPM guru) stated the safe debt limit is approximately $70–75 million for the upcoming budget.
• Of that, $35 million per year is earmarked for Board of Education new school construction (Stark, Westhill, etc.) for the next 3–5 years.
• Remaining funds for all other departments is estimated at $27 million.
• Total capital requests received this year: $88.8 million (including $24.4 million from Board of Education and $35 million new school allocation, leaving $29.4 million for other departments; board must cut to $27 million).
• Interest rates have risen from 1–2% to 4–4.5%, increasing borrowing costs.
• Many prior-year approved projects remain unfunded due to delayed city audit; funding decisions pending.

Key Outcomes

• No votes taken on budget allocations. The board will begin formal deliberations on November 21, 2023 and set preliminary tiers (Tier 1: essential projects; Tier 2: mayor's priorities; Tier 3: grant-dependent; Tier 4: deferred).
• Public hearing on the capital budget is scheduled for January 9, 2024.
• Final budget adoption and submission to the Mayor are targeted for February 13, 2024.
• Callbacks requested:
  • Lou Castlow (Engineering) to answer questions on the Canal bulkhead project.
  • Ann Brown to provide current WPCA reserve fund balance.
  • Lindsay Cohen to compile spreadsheet for tiered review.
• Next meetings: November 21 (regular & callbacks), November 28 (public hearing), December 12 (budget review), December 19 (if needed).