Airway Heights Development Services Director Derrick Braaten presented a draft of the 2014 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at the Sept. 10 Planning Commission meeting.
Braaten explained that the CIP is a document that is a part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. It outlines projects and assets costing $25,000 or more that will be put into the plan for the next 20 years.
According to Braaten, projects on the CIP are ones that are likely to be completed in the next six years and must provide funding sources. Any projects using real estate excise tax (REET) dollars must be a part of the CIP, regardless of cost.
“This isn’t a wish list,” Braaten said. “These need to be projects that have a funding source and realistic.”
Projects include roads, water and sewer infrastructure, as well as remodels and parks.
Braaten explained that the City Council has looked at the plan, but the document is not finalized. He added that each chapter of the plan will be brought up to the Planning Commission.
“In the past staff has proposed the document and just asked for the commission’s approval,” Braaten said. “Now the Planning Commission is being asked to work with staff.”
City departments have made reviews and already looked at recommendations, though the plan still needs updating and assets need to be listed accurately for the next cycle.
“These are the needs of the departments but they are not set in stone,” Braaten said. “Some departments can’t afford needs and will have to go through additional steps to address those needs.”
The commission also discussed the population growth in the city. Braaten explained that the population spiked because of the annexation, though the city will not see that every year.
Commissioner Matthew Pederson asked about the solid waste and recycling section be updated to include curbside recycling.
The plan included possible annexation areas located west of Craig Road, extending north and south of Highway 2.
Braaten also went over the various funding sources, revenues, expenditures, funding strategies listed in the plan. He added that the Planning Commission will examine the plan with the updated changes at the next meeting.
Following the meeting, Pederson and Braaten brought up the possibility of doing a retreat for the Planning Commission to focus on the commission’s responsibilities and goals.
“We’ll discuss what our vision is as a group and work toward where are we proactive and not reactive to issues that are thrown at us,” Pederson said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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