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The City of Longmont has finalized its brochure discussing information on the November 2018 ballot issues. An early copy of the brochure can be found at the bottom of the article. These will be mailed out to voters in the next two weeks.
The three issues on this year's ballot include Rehabilitation and Improvement of City Buildings, Fire Station Renovation and Replacement and Recreation Improvements.
Rehabilitation and Improvement of City Buildings: The City of Longmont is asking voters to approve the issuance of bonds to help fund rehabilitation projects required to prolong the useful life of existing City buildings. In 2014 and 2015, the City hired consultants to produce an assessment report for three aging buildings: the Library, the Safety and Justice Center, and the Civic Center. These buildings are nearing or past the end of their designed life expectancy (30 years). The assessment identified repairs that could extend their useful life by decades. In addition, these repairs will improve accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency of each building.
Major structural, electrical, mechanical, and safety improvements needed for continued safe use by the public and employees. The buildings with the most urgent rehabilitation needs are: Library (24 years old), Safety and Justice Center (25 years old), and Civic Center (43 years old).
- Phase 1: Funded; began in 2018 and will be complete in 2019
- Phase 2: Unfunded; if bonding approved, could begin in 2019
WHAT DOES THIS COST RESIDENTS?
Generally, it is less expensive to rehabilitate a building in reasonably good condition than to wait until it is in poorer condition and requires more extensive reconstruction.
No rate or tax increases are necessary to pay off the bonds. The capital cost of these rehabilitation projects is estimated at $16.1 million. The total repayment cost will depend on the interest rates and the duration of the bonds but will not exceed $26.6 million.
Fire Station Renovation and Replacement: The City is asking voters to incur debt to replace two fire stations and to modernize services with no additional tax to residents.
The bond would be used to renovate or replace two fire stations: fire station #2 at 2300 Mountain View Avenue and fire station #6 at 501 S. Pratt Parkway. These fire stations are no longer functional for the needs of the community or safe for first responders.
- Current stations do not accommodate modern fire apparatus.
- The stations contain asbestos.
- Station supplies and protective gear are exposed to harmful apparatus exhaust.
- Current site layouts do not permit safe entry into traffic during emergency response.
- Buildings do not meet current fire, building, energy or water quality codes (built in 1967 and 1971); they are not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.
REPLACEMENT PROJECTS WILL INCLUDE:
FIRE STATION 2
- Relocation to a larger site nearby
- New building, which includes:
- Space for eight trucks (currently three)
- Parking for employees
- Training room for staff
- Clean storage for equipment and supplies as well as laundry facilities
- Crew quarters for 6-8 employees per shift
FIRE STATION 6
- Demolition of current facility
- New building, which includes:
- Space for eight trucks (currently six)
- Parking for employees
- Training room for staff
- Clean storage for equipment and supplies as well as laundry facilities
- Crew quarters for 6-8 employees per shift
According to the City, "No rate or tax increases are necessary to pay off the bonds. The capital cost of these rehabilitation projects is estimated at $9.3 million. The total repayment cost will depend on interest rates and the duration of the bonds but will not exceed $15.5 million."
Recreation Improvements: The City of Longmont is asking voters to approve the issuance of bonds to fund building and irrigation improvements for Centennial Pool, Ute Creek Golf Course, Twin Peaks Golf Course, and Sunset Golf Course. These improvements are needed to accommodate an increased number of users accessing the pool facility including families with young children, to update outdated irrigation systems, to provide for the safety and security of City-owned maintenance equipment, and to ensure that the City is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Golf course irrigation updates would improve coverage zones and turf quality, maintain the life of the systems, and improve sustainability by reducing water and power usage by 10-15%. The average useful life of a golf course irrigation system is 25-30 years. Some current systems have been in operation for over 50 years, and replacement parts are obsolete. Replacement of the pumps, piping, wire, and sprinkler heads would bring the system up to adopted standards and ensure continuation of service.
The Ute Creek Golf Course is in need of a complete maintenance facility to replace the original farm building that was repurposed as a temporary maintenance facility and that has been in service over 20 years. The building is at the end of its useful life, poorly ventilated, and cannot accommodate new equipment, making it difficult for mechanics to complete maintenance and repairs. A new maintenance facility would provide adequate space for all maintenance operations, including equipment repair, secure storage for vehicles, and protection from the elements.
Renovation of Centennial Pool to relieve lobby congestion, provide direct access to the pool area, add four family changing rooms, and bring the shower and toilet facilities into compliance with ADA requirements.
No tax increases are necessary to pay off the bonds. The capital cost of these rehabilitation projects is estimated at $6.7 million. The total repayment cost will depend on interest rates and the duration of the bonds but will not exceed $11 million.
