Guelph-Eramosa has proposed a $6.4-million capital budget for 2018.
While the majority of capital projects are proposed to be funded through reserves ($2 million), gas tax ($1.4 million), grants ($957,513), development charges ($786,260) and donations ($31,000), the township is also proposing $1.2 million in long-term debt.
Transportation
The transportation division of public works is the department proposing the highest capital budget, with six road construction projects, a sidewalk replacement, a culvert replacement, a tandem dump/sander/plow replacement and traffic signal installation at Highway 7 and MacLennan/Dunbar Streets, for a total cost of about $2.7 million.
The Bedford Road reconstruction is the most expensive road construction project.
Estimated at just over $1 million, the project will involve road reconstruction, drainage improvements, storm sewer management improvements, curb installation and water main looping.
“The benefit is it extends fire protection to significantly more residents,” said public works director Harry Niemi.
The project is proposed to be funded through reserves ($150,000 for the water mains) and gas tax ($922,000.)
Councillor Corey Woods asked if there was anything proposed for the street’s dead end.
Niemi said he has contacted residents about a possible turn-around for snowplows.
Councillor David Wolk asked about the life expectancy of the road once the improvements are made.
Niemi said that with preventative maintenance it could last 40 years with the typical flow of traffic.
“Right now, Bedford’s the worst road in there,” Woods said. “The worst section is actually out by Highway 6; everybody in the whole subdivision goes to and from work off Highway 6, they have to drive the worst section.”
Another project proposed to be funded solely through gas tax is the resurfacing of the Third Line from Highway 7 to Wellington Road 124. The two-year project will include stabilization, pulverizing and double surface treatment in 2018 for $440,000. Microsurfacing could potentially follow in 2019.
Niemi also proposed the reconstruction of Rockmosa Drive from Main Street to the north limit of the Rockwood library for $219,000. The section is about 240m long and the project will be funded through reserves ($7,287) and Ontario Community Infrastructure Funding (OCIF) for $211,713.
“This section of road is going to go through a lot of changes and we’ll have a lot of disruption over the next year,” Niemi said, adding there would be a lot of underground servicing done for both the Rockmosa Park extension as well as the adjacent Bonarrow subdivision.
“Issues here are it’s not a uniform section, there’s a little bit of parking here and there, it’s not really safe for pedestrians,” Niemi said.
Mayor Chris White asked what that road was going to look like.
“It will be a travel plane with some offshoot parking,” Niemi said. “And the parking spaces will be defined with curbs so you can’t run through the parking spot.”
Other roads projects include:
– culvert replacement on Township Road 3 for $532,000 ($478,800 from OCIF and $53,200 from reserves);
– Highway 7 and MacLennan/Dunbar signals in Rockwood for $155,000 from reserves (the maximum township contribution based on an MTO agreement);
– Guelph Street resurfacing from Pasmore Street to Mary Street in Rockwood for $45,000 from OCIF;
– Church Street resurfacing from Alma Street to Guelph Street in Rockwood for $35,000 from OCIF;
– half the cost of resurfacing Crowsfoot Road west of Schaefer Road for $45,000 from reserves (cost shared with Woolwich Township);
– Main Street north Rockwood sidewalk replacement (east side) for $20,000 from reserves;
– tandem plow truck replacement for $260,000 from reserves.
Water and wastewater
The water and wastewater budget is also under the public works department, however all proposed capital projects are funded through user fees.
The total water and waste water budget is about $2.1 million. The most expensive project is a new water pumping station for a well at 154 Milne Place in Rockwood for about $1.2 million to be funded through long-term debt until it can be paid off through development charges.
“Depending on when Harry starts construction … we could be collecting (development charges) and we may not need to debenture,” director of finance Linda Cheyne said.
The new water pumping station is required to support the demands due to population growth in Rockwood.
Upgrades to the Lou’s Boulevard pumping station in Rockwood are also proposed for the 2018 budget for $480,000 from reserves. The upgrades include the lifecycle replacement of piping and controls and the installation of backup power.
Other water and wastewater projects include:
– a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) review study for $50,000 from reserves;
– Station Street, Rockwood, GUDI (Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of surface water) review for $25,000 from reserves;
– watermain connection from David Masson Park to Landrex Boulevard for $43,000 from reserves;
– complete watermain connection under the Eramosa river between Valley Road and Main street for $40,000 from reserves;
– van replacement for $40,000 from reserves;
– replacement of electrical and SCADA controls in Ridge Road sewage pumping station in Rockwood for $40,000 from reserves and
– sanitary inflow investigation by smoke testing north east Rockwood for $25,000 from reserves.
Parks and recreation
With 10 proposed capital budget projects, the parks and recreation department has a draft capital budget of about $1.3 million.
The most expensive item in the parks and recreation budget is the Rockmosa Park development at $1.1 million.
The portion of the Rockmosa Park development scheduled for 2018 includes importing structural fill, site servicing which is dependent on the Bonarrow subdivision, storm water management pond, exterior fencing on the property including the dog park, construction of four Sports fields and the trail construction with pedestrian level lighting.
The park capital projects will be funded through development charges ($694,360), cash in lieu of parkland ($217,000), grants ($187,000) and donations ($31,000).
Other parks and recreation projects include:
– replacement of the original HVAC unit that provides air conditioning to the Rockmosa Community Centre kitchen for $11,000 from reserves;
– fibreglass shingle replacement at the Rockwood Town Hall building at 191 Main Street South for $14,000 from reserves;
– removal and replacement of moisture damaging architectural block at Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre (RPADC) for $12,000 from reserves;
– upgrades to the RPADC drinking water system for $20,000 from reserves;
– Parkinson Cemetery and Memorial Park stone pillar repair and reconstruction for $18,000 from reserves;
– wide area mower replacement for $80,000 from reserves;
– pickup truck replacement for $36,000 from reserves;
– installation of goal posts and fencing at the new Sports pitch at RDAPC for $16,000 from reserves; and
– the purchase of 24 new picnic tables for parks throughout the township for $12,000 from reserves.
Fire protection
The total proposed budget for fire protection is $111,000, all funded through reserves.
The fire department officials are currently testing all gear and anticipate some items will be beyond repair. They are asking for $6,000, from reserves, for the anticipated replacement.
The fire department is also asking for $45,000, from reserves, to replace a compressor, which will more easily fill the larger self-contained breathing apparatus bottles used now.
Woods asked whether council would learn the value of the old compressor before it’s time to pass the budget.
“It’s a working compressor, there is definitely some salvage value,” Roger said.
In addition, the fire department asked for $60,000 from reserves and development charges to fund a fire master plan.
“The City of Guelph has now approached us wanting to renegotiate the agreement and the changes in terms of operating costs could be significant,” said Roger. “Staff are recommending we undertake the master plan to look at all the options in terms of who could provide the service, whether it’s Guelph, one of the other neighbours or possibly ourselves.”
Additional budget items
General government and the building department also identified capital budget items including:
– comprehensive asset management plan to include all municipal assets and facilities for $60,000 from reserves;
– 2018 development charge background study update for $31,900 from development charges; and
– replacement of a building department fleet vehicle for $40,000 from reserves.
