DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the 2017-2022 Bond Program Status
SUMMARY:
This item will provide a briefing on the process and status of the 2017-2022 Bond Program, to include an update regarding the Community Bond Committee Process, the City Council’s recommended list of Bond Committee community members; and, the Staff proposed projects for the $850 million 2017 Bond Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s long term Debt Management Plan includes a General Obligation Bond Program every five years for the purpose of funding major capital infrastructure projects throughout the City. The last Bond Program was approved by voters in May 2012 consisting of five propositions with 140 projects. Over 92 percent of these projects are either complete or under construction.
The process used for the development of the 2012-2017 Bond Program was well received by the community. This process included the development of lists of projects recommended by staff, the assembly and appointment of Community Bond Committees for project recommendation, and final City Council approval of the project list for the public’s consideration.
City Council in March 2016 B-session agreed upon the creation of five Community Bond Committees for a limited duration to serve in an advisory capacity with the responsibility of recommending to the City Council capital improvement projects to consider for possible inclusion within the proposed 2017-2022 Bond Program.
The five Community Bond Committees are as follows:
• Streets, Bridges & Sidewalks
• Drainage & Flood Control
• Parks & Recreation
• Facilities
• Neighborhood Improvements
Each Committee has three citizen appointments per City Council District and two citizens’ appointments by the Mayor serving as Co-Chairs of the Committee for a total of 32 citizen representatives per Committee. The Mayor also appointed Tri-Chairs who will provide oversight for all five committees.
By bringing together a diverse group of individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences from across the City of San Antonio, it is expected that the Community Bond Committees will be able to critically evaluate and propose a prioritized list of projects for the 2017-2022 Bond Program.
ISSUE:
A briefing on the 2017-2022 Bond Program to include a presentation of City Staff recommended projects totaling $850 million that will be presented to the five Community Bond Committees beginning in October 2016 and an update on the Community Bond Committee process.
The proposed 2017-2022 Bond Program is currently scheduled to be presented for a vote by the citizens on May 6, 2017 within the General Election. The amount of the Bond Program is proposed to be $850 million. There is no projected increased in the City’s Ad Valorem Tax Rate for the 2017-2022 Bond Program.
The proposed $850 million Bond Program will consist of five infrastructure categories:
1. Streets, Bridges, Sidewalks
2. Drainage
3. Parks
4. Facilities
5. Neighborhood Improvements
The development of the 2017 - 2022 Bond Program will utilize the Community Bond Committee process also used in the development of the 2012- 2017 Bond Program. Members were appointed by City Council to review and recommend a listing of projects for final City Council approval for the Bond Program. There will be a Community Bond Committee for each of the five infrastructure categories.
The Community Bond Committee meetings are scheduled to begin the week of October 3 and will be held at the Central Library Auditorium located at 600 Soledad Street. The complete meeting schedule for all Bond Committee meetings is posted on 2017 Bond Program website. The initial meetings will include a presentation of City Staff recommended projects for the Bond Program.
All Committee Meeting agendas will be publicized in advance of the meeting date and time. The meetings will allow Bond Committee Members to obtain community input and comment from interested citizens who are in attendance. The City staff recommended projects and citizen input received during the scheduled meetings will be evaluated by each Community Bond Committee to formulate a recommended bond program to City Council. This recommendation will be in a form of a written report and will be submitted to the Major and City Council in January 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no alternatives associated with this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that following this “B” Session staff will provide the five Community Bond Committees a presentation on the $850 million in staff recommended projects.