Council Member Houston's Bond Amendments
Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:23 pm
On behalf of Council Member Houston -
Colleagues,
I have reviewed the projects and amounts identified in the Bond Election Advisory Task Force Recommendation including work group reports, along with the staff updated bond proposal and all Q&A (Council & Bond). After giving this much thought, I have attached what I think is a good proposal for the 2018 bond that is fiscally responsible and sensitive to the taxpayers.
CM Houston 2018 Bond Proposal: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 191502.pdf
Reasoning for my amendments to staff's REVISED-Exhibit A below.
Affordable Housing
Increased each program proportionally with percent listed below.
• Rental Housing Development Assistance Projects at 45%
• Acquisition & Development Homeownership Program at 12%
• Land Acquisition at 31%
• Home Repair Program at 12%
Transportation
• Bridges & Structures: Clarify the need to leave in $50 M for possible bridge failure that accesses the Ulrich Water Treatment Plant; add $4 M back in according to the Task Force recommendation based on Staff’s request regarding infrastructure needs for bridges, culverts, and structures.
• Signals & Technology: reduce by $10.5 M, leave in $4.5 M to leverage as a CAMPO match.
• Neighborhood Partnering Program: reduced by half and placed other half in Parks and Recreation Category for program and staff flexibility.
Note: Transportation was not expected to have a major request in this bond because of the adoption of the $720 Mobility Bond in 2016.
Parks & Recreation
• Aquatics: Increase because of demand.
• Building Renovations: reduced by $10 M funding recommended by the Task Force for specific projects: Pharr Tennis Center, Kizer/Grey Rock Golf Course, and Norwood Project.
• Infrastructure: The Task Force recommendation identified $13.5 in this area, I stayed within the total amount. Reduced by $3.5 M for trails.
• Parkland Improvements: reduced the following: $4.5 M for Neighborhood and Pocket Parks (no specific need identified), $2.5 M for greenbelt work, and $1 M for Downtown Squares.
• Dougherty Arts Replacement Facility: reduced by $25 M to review for eligibility for Certificates of Obligation. The state of the facility and structure, and the recent flood event within the area and building justifies the emergent need.
Libraries, Museums & Cultural Arts Facilities Note: Name change to mirror the bond that passed in 2012
• Cultural Center Improvements: reduced by $15 M for Mexic-Arte
• Creative Space Acquisition: addition of $5 M because of high need for creative space throughout the city
Public Safety
Process these public safety needs via Certificates of Obligation.
Health & Human Services
No change.
Sincerely,
Council Member Houston
Colleagues,
I have reviewed the projects and amounts identified in the Bond Election Advisory Task Force Recommendation including work group reports, along with the staff updated bond proposal and all Q&A (Council & Bond). After giving this much thought, I have attached what I think is a good proposal for the 2018 bond that is fiscally responsible and sensitive to the taxpayers.
CM Houston 2018 Bond Proposal: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 191502.pdf
Reasoning for my amendments to staff's REVISED-Exhibit A below.
Affordable Housing
Increased each program proportionally with percent listed below.
• Rental Housing Development Assistance Projects at 45%
• Acquisition & Development Homeownership Program at 12%
• Land Acquisition at 31%
• Home Repair Program at 12%
Transportation
• Bridges & Structures: Clarify the need to leave in $50 M for possible bridge failure that accesses the Ulrich Water Treatment Plant; add $4 M back in according to the Task Force recommendation based on Staff’s request regarding infrastructure needs for bridges, culverts, and structures.
• Signals & Technology: reduce by $10.5 M, leave in $4.5 M to leverage as a CAMPO match.
• Neighborhood Partnering Program: reduced by half and placed other half in Parks and Recreation Category for program and staff flexibility.
Note: Transportation was not expected to have a major request in this bond because of the adoption of the $720 Mobility Bond in 2016.
Parks & Recreation
• Aquatics: Increase because of demand.
• Building Renovations: reduced by $10 M funding recommended by the Task Force for specific projects: Pharr Tennis Center, Kizer/Grey Rock Golf Course, and Norwood Project.
• Infrastructure: The Task Force recommendation identified $13.5 in this area, I stayed within the total amount. Reduced by $3.5 M for trails.
• Parkland Improvements: reduced the following: $4.5 M for Neighborhood and Pocket Parks (no specific need identified), $2.5 M for greenbelt work, and $1 M for Downtown Squares.
• Dougherty Arts Replacement Facility: reduced by $25 M to review for eligibility for Certificates of Obligation. The state of the facility and structure, and the recent flood event within the area and building justifies the emergent need.
Libraries, Museums & Cultural Arts Facilities Note: Name change to mirror the bond that passed in 2012
• Cultural Center Improvements: reduced by $15 M for Mexic-Arte
• Creative Space Acquisition: addition of $5 M because of high need for creative space throughout the city
Public Safety
Process these public safety needs via Certificates of Obligation.
Health & Human Services
No change.
Sincerely,
Council Member Houston