Stamford Planning Board Special Meeting – Capital Budget Review – December 19, 2024

The Stamford Planning Board held a special meeting on December 19, 2024 (9:00 a.m. to 10:42 a.m.) to continue the review of the Capital Budget submissions for the upcoming fiscal year. The board aimed to finalize a draft budget within the safe debt limit of approximately $43 million, building on a subcommittee’s work. The meeting included department-by-department discussion, adjustments based on existing balances and project feasibility, and a decision to publish the draft for a public hearing on January 7, 2025.

Discussion Items

Subcommittee Report and Overall Approach

• Vice Chair Jennifer Gazeno and Board Member Chet Salat presented a draft capital budget totaling $42 million in city bonds after reviewing all requests against criteria including regulatory mandates, grant leverage, return on investment, and department capacity.
• The board agreed to aim for a draft slightly over the safe debt limit (allowing the mayor to decide on marginal items) and to incorporate public and agency feedback before finalizing.

Board of Education Capital

• Safety & Security: Recommended $150,000 (down from $700,000) because the city has allocated ARPA funds for security. Board Member Ravi noted the reduction, but the subcommittee explained the offset.
• Strawberry Hill Long-Term Facilities Plan: Proposed $2.2 million (requested $4.3 million), citing possible state historic preservation grants and phasing. Ravi expressed concern about meaningful use; Chet noted phasing is feasible.
• Other Items: Most Board of Education capital items were kept intact. The board approved the overall package unanimously.

Town Clerk & Office of Administration

• Digitization: Funded $125,000 (request $150,000) – spread over multiple years.
• Town Clerk Office Renovation: Funded $250,000 (request $595,000) – prioritized for privacy improvements. Ravi questioned the partial amount; Jennifer noted agencies can provide feedback.

Outside Agencies (Arboretum, Child Care Learning Center, Ferguson Library, etc.)

• Arboretum: $50,000 for pavilion (completing a prior project) and $100,000 for greenhouse (Ravi wanted full $300k for greenhouse; subcommittee noted $1.1M already authorized and suggested revisiting later).
• Child Care Learning Center: Full $3 million funded – mandatory relocation due to school construction, deemed a high priority.
• Ferguson Library: Partial allocations for digitization and PC replacement; full funding for self-checkout system ($100k).
• Future Five: Full $257,000 funded (first request, for moving to new office). No reduction despite earlier email confusion.
• Schofield Manor: Full funding for interior renovations (safety/ADA). Stamford Center for the Arts: Partial for HVAC and interior finishes due to unclear scopes and existing balances.
• Stamford Historical Society: Full allocation. Stamford Museum: Zero – high existing balance; board agreed to revisit if agency clarifies.

Director of Administration – Affordable Housing & Wayfinding

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund: $3 million (up from $2M in some proposals) – recognizes high demand and leverage of $3.75M in ready requests.
• Wayfinding Signage: $250,000 – Jennifer argued for its value for pedestrians; Ravi was skeptical but accepted.

Operations – Engineering, Fleet, Facilities, Parks

• Commons Marina Restoration: $500,000 – Ravi opposed, calling it a low priority. Jen noted it leverages grants. Marked as item to revisit after full review.
• Fleet Management: Electric refuse trucks funded for two (partial). Vehicle maintenance equipment partially funded; department may clarify if partial is meaningful.
• GIS: Increased to $200,000 from initial $75,000 – high yield investment.
• Citywide Facilities: Reduced some line items due to high existing balances (e.g., heating system, roof replacement). Board agreed to seek department clarification.
• Parks: Scalzi Park reduced to $965,000 (unfunded balance $1.2M), other parks given small amounts for design. Total parks $3.6M (versus $4.25M requested).

Traffic, Road Maintenance & Engineering

• Significant reductions from prior year ($14M to $6M) justified by high existing balances ($4.1M authorized but unspent) and ARPA funding. Ravi noted potential public pushback; Jen explained staff shortages and typical supplemental requests later in the year. Board accepted as draft.

Public Safety (Police, Fire, Emergency Communications)

• Fire Apparatus: Full $3.05 million – critical due to cost escalation and long lead times.
• Public Safety Complex Assessment: $150,000 (request $500k) – fuzzy scope; board wants more info before committing.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: Increased to $65,000 from $50,000 per Ravi’s request.
• Short-Term Financing: Public safety equipment (drones, camera) partially funded due to existing balances; Ravi wanted more but board agreed to revisit after public hearing.

Special Revenue Items (Brennan, Terry Connors, Golf, Marina)

• Golf Course: $200,000 (increase from $50k) – self-funded from operating revenue, should not burden general fund.
• Marina: $0 – subcommittee judged marina fund unlikely to repay bonds.
• Board noted these do not count against the safe debt limit.

Key Outcomes

• Draft Budget Approved for Public Hearing: The board unanimously agreed to publish the $42 million bond draft (with about $900k remaining under the safe debt limit) as the basis for the January 7, 2025 public hearing. Agencies and public may submit comments.
• Cover Letter to Accompany Draft: Jennifer Gazeno volunteered to draft a rationale memo, based on previous transmittal letters, explaining key decisions (e.g., reductions due to high balances) to reduce redundant public comments.
• Future Process Improvements: Board Member Ravi agreed to draft a list of recommended improvements for the capital budget process (clearer CPs, department capacity questions) for board review in January.
• Next Meeting: Regular meeting scheduled for January 7, 2025 (public hearing). The board will incorporate feedback and transmit final recommendations to the mayor.