Public Hearing and Request for Adoption of City of Ramsey 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a long-term financial plan of at least five years that consists of projects and facilities that are, or will be needed by the City in carrying out the future needs for the public health, safety and welfare of the City.  The City's charter directs that a five-year capital improvement plan will be adopted annually.

The CIP has been prepared in an attempt to anticipate major capital expenditures in advance of the year in which they are budget requests. Further, several projects may interrelate or require other improvements prior to initiation which would cause delays without prior planning. Additionally, projects may require budgeting over several years or receipt of funds from other sources (i.e. grants) requiring planning completion prior to the funding year. Finally, the plan enables a snapshot of the identified capital needs of the community allowing for continual prioritization of these needs.

Approval of the CIP by Council does not authorize spending or initiation of a given project. It does, however, provide a guide for the community for a whole array of private and public decision-making, impacted by public capital expenditures. Therefore, the CIP should receive ratification only if the Council perceives actions contemplated within the plan as reasonable and planned within justified time frames. It shall further be noted that initial project design of public infrastructure projects identified within this plan often begins two years or more prior to the date of construction.

The CIP is not intended to provide for precise budgeting. Capital costs are projected as estimates. Upon each update of the plan, deletions, additions, delays, or other revisions may occur, reflecting changing community needs. These changes allow for budget refinements as a particular project nears actual construction.

The plan does not contain a specific designation which denotes project priorities. There is no weighting or matching of priorities between infrastructure types [streets, parks, utilities, building facilities] as each type of project generally has a funding source unique to the project type and from which funds cannot be reallocated.

The 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program was presented at the January 22, 2013 City Council worksession and public hearing was requested at the regular City Council meeting of January 22, 2013.  The Capital Improvement was presented that this was a planning tool document only and does not authorize any project within the document to proceed forward without further city council approval. 

Alternative Action Options:
     1.  Take no Action at this time for further review of each project.  Per the City Charter, a five-year Capital Improvement 
          Program (CIP) needs to be adopted annually.

Staff recommends adoption of the 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program noting that this is a forecasting tool and not actual, committed projects and expenditures.

Each project within the Capital Improvement Plan designates its funding source.

Motion to adopt Resolution 13-02-XXX adopting the City of Ramsey’s 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).