February 08, 2011
Side order to budget menu
Capital spending: Council OKs $42-million worth of projects, plus a separate list of 'conditional' undertakings
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April cunningham
Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN - As common council unanimously approved a $42-million capital budget Monday night, most of the politicians agreed the real work would come in convincing other levels of government to support a separate list of "conditional" projects.
Photo: Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase says there is not a lot in the capital budget, with 60 per cent of new capital spending absorbed by Peel Plaza.
Photo: Peter Walsh/Telegraph-Journal ARCHIVE
Councillor Chris Titus says common council can be an advocate for the list of 'conditional' capital projects.
"Those are things we as a council can effectively do something about. We can step up to the plate, and try and do our jobs and advocate for some of these," Coun. Chris Titus said at the special council meeting.
The projects - including an artificial turf for the Millidgeville Field, the Paramount Theatre restoration and upgrades to the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre - require funding from other groups to move ahead. The city's share of the list of projects amounts to nearly $10 million.
But instead of including the endeavours in the overall capital budget, city manager Patrick Woods has for the first time made a separate list of projects that the city will support if certain conditions are met.
It means the city won't have to borrow the money before the projects move ahead, while giving organizations such as the Exhibition Association the security of knowing the city is in for $3 million of the fieldhouse project.
Many organizations have already done a lot of the groundwork, Titus said.
"That's where we come in and try and push the envelope even further."
The conditional method will also help Saint John Waterfront Development start leveraging funding for a $3-million facelift for Fallsview Park, where the Jet Boat rides operate at the Reversing Falls.
"That's what we were looking for because that's what we needed to start the project," Kent MacIntyre, general manager of the group, told council.
Peter Asimakos, general manager of Uptown Saint John, agreed the plan will help his organization proceed with the restoration of the Paramount Theatre on King's Square.
"That's a logical position for council to take on projects that require other funding sources," he said. "We appreciate this greatly. ... It moves us forward."
If other levels of government or private industry contribute to the projects - which also include the Crescent Valley renewal and the green heating and cooling system for uptown - Woods said the city will allocate the funds in the 2012 capital budget.
Council members said the new intergovernmental affairs position - which was allocated in the 2011 operating budget - will be key in getting the projects off the ground.
"We'll have our own dedicated person who will not only take the project to Ottawa or Fredericton, but persist on it," Coun. Peter McGuire said. "We are taking a leap here, and I think it will pay dividends."
Out of the $42 million that was approved, only $12 million is new spending. A large chunk - about $18 million - is dedicated to borrow for the new police station and surrounding infrastructure at Peel Plaza. The rest of the money will be used to finish last year's projects.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase said although he supported the budget, he wasn't happy about it.
"There's not a lot here. I'll state the obvious," he said.
"Sixty per cent of new capital funding for projects is absorbed by Peel Plaza. So this budget in effect had been set some time ago when council made the decision to proceed with Peel Plaza."
Titus later said whether people agreed with it or not, Peel Plaza was moving ahead, and he believed it would pay economic dividends for the community.
While most councillors said they thought the projects aligned well with council priorities, Chase questioned if more than the allocated $1.5 million should have been invested in road reconstruction.
Councillors Mel Norton and Donnie Snook also expressed disappointment that the project to revitalize Market Place West, on the lower west side, was not included in the budget.
Mayor Ivan Court assured there would likely be room for it next year.
Councillors Patty Higgins and Bruce Court were absent.
Economic development
- $1.5 million - Includes $833,000 to buy part of the Coast Guard site.
Safety
- $1.2 million - Includes $525,000 for a fire training tower and $75,000 for an outdoor shooting range for police.
Social
- $1.2 million - Includes $900,000 for the north end community centre and $130,000 for the Carleton Community Centre.
Corporate
- $1.4 million - Includes $546,000 for a customer service project.
Sports
- $300,000 - For general arena renovations.
Transportation
-$1.47 million - For road reconstruction on streets such as Simpson Drive, Bleury Street and Garden Street.
Storm water management
-$4.1 million - Includes major flood control work in the Honeysuckle-Sherbrooke Street drainage basin on the west side.
Building and asset protection
-$567,000 - For maintenance of City Hall.
Recreation and green space
-$300,000 - Includes $100,000 for improvements in Rainbow Park and Flemming Court.
Total for new projects - $12 million
Peel Plaza borrowing - $18 million
Leftover projects from2010 - $11.6 million
Total capital budget for$2011 - $42 million