Capital Improvement Projects

By Julie Watters

We have several large capital improvement projects before the city in various stages. We need to be prudent in prioritizing these projects in light of current budget constraints that may possibly even reduce funds previously set aside for capital improvement.

2. City revenues have since fallen dramatically and new, unavoidable, costs (including funding the retirement program and replacing sewers) appear on the horizon.

3. The Swim Club lease is up next year, and the City will be faced once again with the question of how much subsidy to provide the Club beyond the free use of City land and improvements.

4. I think it would be fiscally irresponsible for the City to commit to any new facilities with the potential for high capital and maintenance costs until we have decided the future of the Swim Club because, unlike new sports complexes, the Club is "on the ground" and we cannot put off deciding its fate. The capital replacement costs alone for the Club are a ticking fiscal bomb for which the City is ill prepared.

5. Piedmont does not need another ticking fiscal bomb and that is just what a massive sports complex in Moraga Canyon would be. The EIR alone for the Complex has already cost the City more than $200,000 (private donations paid only for the site design work, not the EIR), the construction costs are unknown, and the maintenance costs will surely approach if not exceed those of the Swim Club. The proponent's private fund raising capabilities cannot be counted on to fully fund construction of the project at this point since no official cost estimate has been sought.