SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the recommended Penny for Pinellas project list, as revised for Fiscal Years 2017/18 through 2019/20.
Body
SUMMARY:
On March 6, 1997, the City Council adopted Ordinance 6137-97. The ordinance established the requirement for a special hearing prior to adoption of the capital improvement budget to discuss the use of Penny for Pinellas tax, and at any time in which there is any proposed change to the Penny for Pinellas project funding of $500,000 or more.
Changes to Penny for Pinellas project list that meet this criteria in the proposed 2017/18 capital improvement budget and six-year plan include the following:
• Seminole Boat Launch Improvements - This project has been established in the amount of $5 million to be funded in fiscal year 2017/2018. The funding will provide for the improvements to the parking lot and launch area, dock expansion, lighting updates, and enhanced gateways from Seminole Street to Osceola Avenue.
• Aviation Operations Center - This project has been established in the amount of $760,000 to be funded in fiscal year 2019/2020. The total project budget is estimated at $3.8 million to construct a new operations center at the City’s Airpark. Staff will seek an FDOT grant to provide the remaining funding needed.
• Bicycle Paths-Bridges - This project funding has been increased by $500,000 in Penny for Pinellas funding planned in fiscal year 2017/2018. The increase will provide additional funding for the City’s portion of the pedestrian overpass at State Road 60.
• McMullen Tennis Complex - This project has been increased by $300,000 in Penny for Pinellas funding planned in fiscal year 2017/2018. This will provide additional funds needed for the construction of four lighted soft courts at the McMullen Tennis Complex.
• Fire Ladder Truck - The project funding has been increased by $144,180 to a new total of $1,300,000 to provide for the purchase and equipping of a replacement aerial unit for one of the three existing Pierce Aerial vehicles which has reached the end of its useful life as a front-line unit.