03-Introduction December 3, 2019
The Honorable Shepard Harris, Mayor
Members of the City Council
Dear Mayor Harris and City Council Members:
The Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for years FY 2020-2029 is presented with this
transmittal.
The CIP is a 10-year fiscal planning instrument used to identify needed capital projects and
delineate the financing and timing of the associated projects. Generally these projects exceed
$5,000 in cost and require long-term financing. An annual capital improvement budget,
encompassing the projects outlined for the first two years of the CIP, is presented to the Council
with the biennial budget.
The CIP also identifies bond issues necessary to fund certain improvements. Since 2018, the
City has not issued certificates of indebtedness to finance vehicles and equipment. Each project
in the program is brought forth in the upcoming year for discussion and approval at a council
meeting.
Each city in the metropolitan area is required to adopt a CIP. As part of the Metropolitan Land
Planning Act passed by the State Legislature in 1976, each city is required to adopt a
Comprehensive Plan. In 2018, the City of Golden Valley's Comprehensive Plan was approved
and included:
• updated zoning and subdivision codes;
• housing implementation programs;
• a CIP related to transportation, sewers, and parks and open space facilities
Starting this year, staff has been working on an update to the current Comprehensive Plan and
will seek approval by the end of 2019. Many citizens have had input through various contacts.
Because of its relationship to the Comprehensive Plan, the CIP is reviewed by the Planning
Commission. In 2019, staff extended its number of years to 10 to coincide with the
Comprehensive Plan document.
The CIP should be viewed as a vehicle to accomplish the goals outlined in the City's
Comprehensive Plan. These goals cover housing, sanitary and storm sewers, public facilities,
transportation and parks and open spaces. An orderly expenditure of funds on capital items is a
means of accomplishing the Comprehensive Plan.
A complete CIP is an indispensable tool for the City Council and City staff as they manage and
control the timing and financing of capital improvements needed to maintain the current high
level of City services. A CIP is also used by the bond rating agencies to not only evaluate the
current and future financial condition of a city, but also to evaluate the quality of a city's
management. Adoption of this comprehensive CIP for 2020-2029 will enhance the City's ability
to maintain its current Aa1 bond rating.
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Finally, a CIP is a valuable document for commission members and citizens to use to gain an
understanding of how their City works and the means to accomplish its overall plan.
The process for completing the 2020-2029 CIP was much the same as the process for the
2020-2021 Budget. Project requests were submitted by all the divisions and reviewed by the
Management Team and appropriate supervisors to establish the feasibility and priority of the
projects and match with available financing.
The CIP is a planning document or guide for the future capital improvements in the City which in
no way constitutes formal approval of the various projects. All of the projects will be formally
approved through the City's purchasing or public improvement process.
Each section lists the upcoming projects, project overview, and an estimated cost of the project.
The Financing section includes a narrative analysis of financing sources involved in the program
along with exhibits analyzing some of these sources, with special emphasis on the City's Capital
Project Funds. Also included is an exhibit that provides a current list of bonded debt to finance
the existing programs and expenditures and sources by year. The sections are:
Financing
Vehicles and Equipment
Parks
Golf Course
Buildings
Cablecasting
Storm Sewers
Water & Sanitary Sewer Utility
Streets
I look forward to completing these important projects in the coming fiscal year. As we move
forward with this FY 2020-2029, 1 hope that this CIP meets your approval and provides a useful
tool for the Council as it makes decisions regarding these projects.
Timothy Cruikshank
City Manager
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