Stamford Planning Board Capital Budget Meeting - October 23, 2024

[Note: The agenda indicated the meeting would occur on October 22, 2024, but the transcript and user instruction specify October 23, 2024.]

The Stamford Planning Board held a capital budget meeting on October 23, 2024 to review capital requests from multiple city departments for the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. Presentations covered over $40 million in proposed projects across childcare, fleet management, parks, engineering, land use, facilities, and stormwater. No votes were taken on the capital items; the board will deliberate at future meetings.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of October 8, 2024: Approved unanimously on a motion by Ravi Subramanian, seconded by Prasad Tunga.

Discussion Items

• Childcare Learning Center (CLC): Monica Maccera Filppu, CEO, presented a request for $3 million in city capital funds to build a new Head Start facility at 60 Palmer's Hill Road, replacing the current Lockwood Avenue site that will close due to a new elementary school. The purchase is funded by a prior state grant. The project total is estimated at $10–12 million, with additional funding from federal Head Start grants, state Community Investment Funds, and a private capital campaign. The campus would consolidate services and include outdoor community spaces. Board members expressed strong support.
• Operations – Fleet Management: Bill Klous, Fleet Manager, presented three projects: (1) Fuel station upgrade at Hague Avenue ($300,000, with $250,000 previously approved, seeking an additional $50,000), (2) Oil dispenser and air compressor replacement at McGee Avenue ($250,000), and (3) Enclosed storage building for highway trucks ($300,000, with $250,000 previously approved, seeking $50,000). He also presented a citywide vehicle and equipment replacement list (short-term financing) totaling approximately $12 million, emphasizing the aging fleet and need to reduce maintenance costs. Board members asked about prioritization and partial funding.
• Special Revenue – Terry Conners Rink: Kevin Murray, Director of Parks & Recreation, requested $90,000 for bleacher replacement, cooling tower upgrades, and dehumidifier wheel.
• Special Revenue – E.G. Brennan Golf Course: Kevin Murray requested $250,000 for clubhouse roof, locker room upgrades, energy-efficient lighting, and ADA improvements. The course generates revenue from about 41,000 rounds annually.
• Operations – Maintenance Parks (Kevin Murray): Presented multiple projects totaling $12.1 million, including:
  • Scalzi Park tennis court replacement ($2.65 million, balance $1.163 million)
  • Cummings Park beach and parking lot improvements ($1.6 million, with a 1:1 ORNLP grant match up to $5 million)
  • Leone Park parking lot relocation and redesign ($2.5 million, to address quality-of-life concerns)
  • All-season accessible park bathrooms at seven popular parks ($1.5 million)
  • Nemoyan Park playground upgrade ($850,000)
  • Northrop Park playground upgrade ($800,000)
  • Baseball/softball infield turf upgrades ($500,000)
  • Cole Allen Park tennis courts ($300,000)
  • Paving, drainage, fencing, amenities, playground rehabilitation, Bear Park phase 2, Cassio Park, tree replanting, Fort Stamford Park ($150,000–$350,000 each)
  • Marina dock upgrades at Cove Island (placeholder $1 million)
• Operations – Engineering (Lou Casolo, City Engineer): Presented eight projects totaling $10.77 million, including:
  • Mill Road bridge replacement (50% state match, city share approximately $2 million)
  • Long Ridge Road bridge replacement (50% state match, city share approximately $2 million)
  • Animal control facility ($2.7 million, including $506,000 in city bonds and a pending $2.2 million state grant)
  • Citywide storm drains ($1.5 million)
  • Citywide roadway correction (retaining walls) ($250,000)
  • Yearwood Center HVAC replacement ($2.15 million plus existing balance)
  • Cummings Marina restoration ($1 million as match for a potential $10 million grant)
  • Schofield Town Park dog park ($200,000)
• Operations – Land Use (Ralph Blessing, Land Use Bureau Chief): Requested a total of $700,000 for five projects: citywide tree inventory ($100,000), GIS system upgrade ($200,000 plus $199,000 existing balance), citywide athletic fields needs assessment, invasive species management ($50,000), and parks master plan update (for parcel consolidation and zoning protection).
• Operations – Maintenance Facilities (Scott Butch, Director of Facilities): Presented approximately $11.9 million in requests, including:
  • Citywide facilities energy/sustainability: electrification of HVAC ($800,000)
  • Heating system replacement
  • Citywide plumbing and sewer pipe replacement ($225,000)
  • Electrical system upgrades (generators, lighting)
  • Government Center renovations (additional $800,000, total $1.3 million)
  • Yearwood Center elevator ($500,000 city plus $255,000 state)
  • Environmental hazard abatement (asbestos)
  • Leased facilities (Domus boilers)
  • Building energy management systems (continuation)
  • Citywide workplace safety program (ergonomic furniture and digitization)
  • Board of Representatives 4th floor renovations (no amount specified)
  • Lathe and Wider Community Center renovations ($500,000)
  • Old Town Hall renovations
  • Life safety system upgrades
  • ADA compliance
  • Roof replacement
  • Curtain Call stage renovations (no amount specified)
  • Flooring replacement
  • Garage door replacements (significant request)
• Operations – Stormwater Management (Thomas Turk, Operations Supervisor): Discussed:
  • Environmental compliance (multi-purpose account, minimal request)
  • Citywide sidewalk reconstruction (amount not specified, but noted cost of about $150,000 per block)
  • Street paving (Thomas emphasized the need for adequate and timely funding to maintain the paving schedule; no specific amount mentioned)
  • Utility paving (new program, $2 million request to facilitate road paving after utility work, with eventual reimbursement)
  • Downtown sidewalk reconstruction ($250,000)

Key Outcomes

• The board approved the minutes of October 8, 2024 unanimously.
• No votes were taken on any capital budget requests. The board will receive a compiled budget book and an Excel file from Tony, the board's administrator, for further deliberation at future meetings (October 29, November 12, and November 19, 2024).
• Board members requested additional information on cost savings, prioritization, and historical funding for several projects.