What: the autumn 2026 package of capital borrowing resolutions (R-26-059 to R-26-073): wastewater, sewer, landfill, solid waste equipment, pools, the DPW garage, capital equipment, library design, fire facilities and ERP.
Where it stands: Hearings were held October 6 and October 26. The Aldermen adopted most on October 13 and October 27, with R-26-062 tabled 10-3 and then passed 11-3 on October 27.
Next: Bond sales and project starts.
Details
The DPW garage (R-26-072), library design (R-26-067) and Four Hills pilot (R-26-057) have their own pages.
The mapping of each resolution number to its subject is only partly given in the minutes.
Adopted R-26-064 as amended (13-1), 068, 069 and 070 (13-1 each) and 071 (ERP system, 10-4). R-26-062 (Four Hills Landfill) was taken from the table and passed, 11-3.
Paula Johnson opposed the smaller bonds, citing about $420,000 of interest per $1M over 20 years; supporters said design-phase bonds firm up costs for the full projects and that the fire training site is being displaced by the new DPW building.
Recommended final passage of R-26-064 (as amended), 068, 069, 070 and 071 by voice vote. Debate covered why some projects are bonded for design only, and the ERP's total cost of ownership (about $15M over 10 years per the CFO, $18.6M per an alderman); one member said he would vote no on R-26-071.
Public hearings with no votes except adjournment: R-26-064 (capital equipment, up to $5,173,428, as amended), 068 (fire training facility, $1.5M, scaled back from $1.98M), 069 (Pine Hill fire station design, $1M), 070 (fire station deferred maintenance, $1M) and 071 (ERP, $9M; about $12.78M repaid with interest; no testimony).
Approved referral SR-26-062 (bonds up to $2M for Four Hills Landfill solid waste improvements); scheduled fleet purchases were approved pending bond approval.
Adopted R-26-059 (11-2), 060 (12-1), 061 (11-2), 063 (12-1), 066 ($5M for pools, 12-1) and 073 (11-2). R-26-062 was tabled (10-3). R-26-064 was sent back to Budget Review after the Fire equipment was itemized.
Recommended final passage of R-26-059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 066, 072 and 073 by voice vote; tallies not stated. An alderman objected to bonding small projects, citing about $124M of interest over 20 years; the administrative services director said the city aims to stop bonding items under about $1.5M but sets aside only about $1.4M in cash capital, and that the summer ad hoc debt plan is advisory and being updated (ERP came in at $9M versus $10M assumed). Aldermen asked whether the hearing and committee steps could be combined; the chair would check with legal.
Public hearings on R-26-059, 060, 061, 062, 063, the $5M pool resolution (later R-26-066), 072 and 073. Staff presented each project; residents asked for more backup and suggested using surplus funds instead of bonding for smaller items; the administrative services director pointed to the summer debt-scheduling process. No votes were taken and the meeting adjourned at about 8:48 PM.
First readings with hearings set: October 6 for R-26-059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 066, 072 and 073 (wastewater, sewer, landfill, solid waste equipment, pools and the DPW garage); October 26 for R-26-064, 067, 068, 069, 070 and 071 (capital equipment, library design, fire facilities and ERP).