Committee reviews 2026 capital-improvement priorities, asks departments for a ranked, grant-sensitive project list
Summary
City Administrator Lee presented a draft view of the 2026 capital improvement plan and the committee asked department heads to return with a priority matrix that separates mission-critical projects from aspirational items and highlights projects tied to external grant funding.
The Planning and Parks Committee reviewed an initial draft of the 2026 capital improvement plan on July 21 and directed staff to apply a priority matrix that emphasizes grant-tied projects and separates mission-critical maintenance from aspirational investments.
Why it matters: the draft capital plan contains multiple park, trail and transportation projects that compete for limited capital funds and reserves. Committee members sought clearer priorities before presenting a final budget to the full Council.
City Administrator Lee explained adjustments to the 2025/2026 CIP that reflect a midyear payment to MoDOT for the Route 100 J-turns/left-turns project and the decision to defer several projects from 2025 into 2026 (Green Pines Park connector trail construction, trail resurfacing repairs and Anniversary Park parking-lot resurfacing). He said the MoDOT payment was a 2025 expenditure and that final accounting could produce small credits after project closeout.
Committee members asked about specific line items: a $1.5 million placeholder for a Main Street extension construction project was discussed and staff said that without required easements and a confirmed developer partner the project is unlikely to move to construction in 2026 and should be considered for removal from the 2026 construction list. Members also questioned items such as $500,000 identified for pickleball courts and smaller allocations for park drainage or parking repairs.
Action and direction: the committee did not adopt a final budget but directed city department heads to return with a prioritized, tiered project list that flags projects with external grant matches or funding that would be at risk if not encumbered in 2026. Staff will present a refined recommendation to Administration & Public Works and to Planning & Parks for recommendation to Council.
Discussion vs decision: committee discussion focused on prioritization and process rather than on specific final appropriations. Members emphasized maintenance needs (for example, pond/dam maintenance at Portner Park and stormwater issues) and the need to align reserve spending decisions with any potential ballot measures for parks/stormwater funding.
What’s next: staff will run projects through a priority matrix and return with a recommended 2026 CIP v2 listing and associated rationale for each item’s inclusion or deferral.
Ending: committee members asked staff to prepare a clear three-tier prioritization (mission-critical, beneficial, aspirational) to support an orderly public discussion and possible referendum planning for larger funding needs.
