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| Do you see the black solar panels on the roof? Will there be space for green roof tops? |
Per Business Council meeting of 2/1/2022: Senior & Community Center updates:
1) Vice President Vanessa Kritzer announced the possibility of Green (Roof) Tops at the Center. President Jessica Forsythe has advocated for green roof tops for years. Jessica asked staff for maintenance costs. Eric Dawson, Public Works and project lead estimated a green top would cost about $15,000. He felt it would easily fit in the budget. Hopefully, this will be the first of many green tops on City buildings.
2) Design costs of the Center are increasing with inflation. The cost will be $52,000,000 if Council passes an ordinance to cover a $4,000,000 shortfall. Public Works "value engineered" the project saving $2,480,000.
3) Most of the funding is collected from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) $17,116,000 and a "councilmanic" bond. The CIP is funded by taxpayers.
Total debt payments on the councilmanic bond are $32,217,000 over twenty years. Cumulative interest over twenty years is $8,264,000. The interest rate is 3%. President Forsythe was concerned about the rate rising. Councilmanic bonds are not voter approved.
Here's some upbeat news. The councilmanic bond can be spent as one-time money for construction of the Center. President Forsythe questioned having enough one-time money to "go around" towards other projects. Parks Director Carrie Hite wasn't too concerned stating the 2022 CIP was "robust." The final decision is expected in June.
-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, Internet, 2/1/2022
OPINION: Director Carrie Hite was released or resigned from her position just recently. Council decided not to use the councilmanic bond to fund construction of the Senior/Comm. Center. Council may have decided the 2022 CIP was not robust and perhaps didn't like staff making budget decisions. Council President Forsythe was concerned the 3% interest rate would increase with inflation. My guess is she has other places to use the bond in the immediate future. Losing Director Hite is a big loss IMO.
I am all for green roof tops but have a serious concern. Such roof tops take a significant amount of continuing maintenance and upkeep. The previous, relatively new Senior Center was condemned for structural failure due primarily to insufficient maintenance.
ReplyDeleteAre there committed funds, staffing and maintenance program for the Center that would allow such a rooftop?
Jessica, the Council President is aware and funds will be there if it's a go.
ReplyDelete