In the latest Soldotna City Council meeting held on July 26th, the council approved a resolution to adopt ordinance 2023-022 approving the fiscal year 2024 capital budget and increasing estimated revenues and appropriations by $105,000 in the General Fund and $105,000 in the Small Capital Projects Fund.
The 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan & Capital Budget Work Session was held with the City Council on June 28, 2023, and on July 12, 2023, the Council approved and adopted the City of Soldotna 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years FY24 through FY28.
The resolution designates the $105,000 to four city projects. $10,000 for the Riverfront Development project; $50,000 for the replacement of the outdated body camera’s worn by officers of the Soldotna Police; $30,000 for a refrigeration evaluation and recommendation study at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex; and $15,000 for storefront improvement funding.
The ongoing Riverfront Development project will receive an additional $10,000. The Riverfront development encompasses an 85-acre portion of downtown Soldotna, and seeks to work with land and business owners, residents, and community partners to redevelop a portion of downtown Soldotna and create a one-of-a-kind riverfront experience that attracts locals and visitors with shopping, dining, and lodging in a walkable environment. The additional funding would go toward an appraisal report, as well as upcoming public meetings regarding the project.
Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis stated at the meeting;
“This is supplemental funding for that ongoing project. This would enable us to continue and complete a MAI appraisal of the Catalyst site as well as provide materials and supplies for the additional upcoming public meetings.”
The refrigeration system at the SRSC ice arena is also outdated and in need of replacement, but first an assessment of the system will need to be performed by an outside party. Kornelis shared the current status of the ice rink;
“This would fund a mechanical engineering study to identify the replacement of our refrigeration system – it’s going on 33 years. The R22 Freon is no longer legal to produce or import into the United States. We do have an ample supply, but it’s time to pre plan, and come up with solutions and alternatives to the refrigeration system at the ice rink so that we can eventually replace that system.”
Despite the appropriations, Kornelis also stated at the meeting that the FY24 Capital Budget was a “significantly smaller Capital Budget” than the city has seen in years past.
The FY24 capital budget is the first year of the five-year capital plan, which was developed with consultation from all city departments, and a work session held with Council and the public on June 28, 2023.
