TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, City Manager
FROM: Adam Lindsay, Assistant City Manager
Robert Stone, Construction Management Division
Sheila Thomas-Ambat, Public Services Director
Chris Cauley, Economic & Community Development Director
Brook M. Redding, Special Project Manager
DATE: December 12, 2022
RE:
Title
Fayetteville Forward Bonds - Next Steps
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
This item supports the City’s Mission and Goals of the Council adopted Strategic Plan
Executive Summary:
The City Council placed a ballot measure seeking authorization of the issuance of up to $97 million in General Obligation Bonds to support capital investments in public safety, infrastructure, and affordable housing on the November 8, 2022, ballot. Each bond authorization measure was approved by voters at the following percentages.
• Affordable Housing Bond - 59%
• Infrastructure Bond - 67%
• Public Safety Bond - 62%
The Mayor and City Council can now provide initial direction to staff regarding the desired implementation plan.
Background:
April 28, 2022
• City Council held a special meeting to discuss unfunded needs in the City. The City Council directed staff to initiate the process to set bond referendums for November 8, 2022, for not to exceed $60,000,000 in general obligation bonds for public safety improvement capital projects, not to exceed $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds for streets, sidewalk, and connectivity capital projects, and not to exceed $12,000,000 in general obligation bonds for affordable housing capital projects and to fund the Housing Trust Fund.
May 9, 2022
• City Council adopted a preliminary findings resolution authorizing staff to submit an application to the Local Government Commission for the proposed authorization of Public Safety Improvement Bonds, Streets, Sidewalks, Connectivity Bonds, and Housing Bonds.
June 27, 2022
• City Council adopted bond orders for $60,000,000 in Public Safety Improvement Bonds, $25,000,000 in Streets, Sidewalk, and Connectivity Bonds, and $12,000,000 in Housing Bonds, and to take several other actions required to proceed with related bond referendums.
August 8, 2022
• City Council conducted a public hearing on the orders for $60,000,000 in Public Safety Improvement Bonds, $25,000,000 in Streets, Sidewalk, and Connectivity Bonds, and $12,000,000 in Housing Bonds.
September 12, 2022
• City Council was briefed and accepted the Bond Education Campaign plan as presented by the Marketing and Communications Department.
September 26, 2022
• City Council adopted a budget ordinance amendment 2023-5 to provide funding for the Fayetteville Forward Bond packaged education and information campaign.
November 8, 2022
• City of Fayetteville residents voted to approve all three bond referendums.
Issues/Analysis:
The City Manager’s Office established three city staff led working groups to develop a plan to implement the prioritized projects approved by City Council. Each bond working group is tasked to develop the scope, schedule, and cost of the projects funded by the Affordable Housing, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Bonds. The following breakdown provides funding concepts within the individual bonds, as well as a high-level roadmap of the timing and touchpoints with the City Council. Once Council has confirmed the funding structure and priorities, City staff will initiate project planning and follow the high-level roadmap in the attachment.
1. Affordable Housing Bond - $12M
• Housing Development Fund - $9M of the bond is recommended to rental developments using a revolving loan fund for developers
o This program can yield up to 500 new units
o Rental Projects are partnerships; the City can facilitate more but does not control the timing or frequency of projects
• Single Family Development - $1M of the bond is dedicated to developing new single-family homes through established partnerships with nonprofit agencies and developers
o This program can yield up to 20 new single-family homes
o ECD staff estimate an average of 3-4 single family homes per year
• Repair and Rehab Program - $1M of the bond dedicated to the Repair and Rehab program
o This program can yield support for up to 40 homeowner rehabs
• Down Payment Assistance Program - $1M of the bond is dedicated to the Down Payment Assistance Program to support new homeowners
o This program can support up to 40 first-time homeowners
o Estimations can vary as construction, land, and household income are different for each family
2. Infrastructure - $25M
• Street Resurfacing - $15M
o Staff estimate that a total of 63 miles of City streets resurfaced.
o Staff proposes to bring the list of planned street repairs to City Council in February 2023
o Projects will be selected from the Council-adopted 2022 Pavement Condition Survey
o Staff recommends expending funds over three years ($4.9M/yr.)
• Sidewalks - $8M
o Staff estimate a total of 14.5 miles of sidewalk constructed.
o Staff proposes to bring the list of planned sidewalk projects to City Council in March 2023
o School / Commercial / Public Facility connectivity, Safety, and Constructability considerations for selections in the Pedestrian plan
• Bike Plan - $750K
o Staff estimate a total of three road miles of bicycle lanes
o Locations will be selected from the Council adopted Bike Plan
• Intersection Improvements - $1.25M
o These projects were funded with ARPA and State Directed Grant funds
o There are no remaining City maintained intersections identified in the Council adopted Pedestrian Plan
3. Public Safety - $60M
• E911 Dispatch Facility
o This project will require a complete planning process to include special guidance from City Council
• Fire Station # 2
o Once the site has been determined, City staff will plan and further develop the projects scope, schedule, and budget
• Fire Station # 9
o The projects scope, schedule, and budget are in planning with City staff
• Fire Station # 16
o The projects scope, schedule, and budget are in planning with City staff
Budget Impact:
The $97M of Bonds will divide as:
• $12M - Affordable Housing
• $25M - Infrastructure
• $60M - Public Safety
Options:
None at this time.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends Council consensus on the prioritized projects and future meetings to discuss each bonds plan.
Attachments:
Type here