ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: February 23, 1996 Dept. File No. TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: General Manager of Parks & Recreation SUBJECT: 1996 Park Board Capital Budget - Advance Approval RECOMMENDATION THAT advance approval in the amount of $1,198,500 for the Park Board's 1996 Capital Budget be approved for Stanley Park cliff stabilization, playground redevelopment, asbestos removal, painting, roof replacement, and general facility improvements as described in Appendix I. COUNCIL POLICY Each year the Park Board is required to submit its annual Capital Plan for approval. BACKGROUND In November 1993, the voters approved the Board's 3-year (1994 - 1996) capital plan totalling $25,980,000. The 1994-1996 Budget Management Program reduced this by $500,000 for a final approval of $25,480,000. The annual allocations are: Allocation 1994 Approved 11,450,000 1995 Approved 7,447,000 1996 Allocation 6,583,000 1994-1996 Capital Plan 25,480,000 DISCUSSION Although the overall 3-year capital plan has been fully approved by Council, a separate annual approval is required for projects which are to commence in that particular year. This annual approval of the Capital Budget is normally scheduled by Council to coincide with the approval of the Operating Budget at the end of April or early May. In some years, this timing impacts on the Park Board's ability to complete projects prior to the spring opening of its facilities. Also, certain work must be completed in the dry summer season in order to accomplish this, they must be started before the May Capital Budget approval. In this regard, staff have reviewed the 1996 capital projects and found that projects listed in Appendix I should be scheduled to start in early spring as they should be carried out under good weather conditions. Early starting on these projects does not disrupt the continuity of service to the public and the Board does not suffer any loss of revenue, nor cause any hazards and inconvenience to the public. JUSTIFICATION Projects listed in Appendix I are submitted for advance approval out of the 1996 Capital Budget so that they can be scheduled effectively. * * * APPENDIX I Total 1996 Capital Budget $6,583,000 Projects Requested for Early Approval 1. Stanley Park Cliff Stabilization - The annual scaling of the rock cliffs on the seawall should be completed before spring to avoid risk to seawall users. 50,000 2. Playground Re-development - the renovation and upgrading of playgrounds should be completed prior to the heavy spring and summer usage. 60,000 3. Asbestos Removal - this is a continuing program and early approval will avoid any disruption in the planned work. 150,000 4. Painting - this is a continuing program requiring early approval so that repairing of summer facilities is completed before the May 24 openings. 200,000 5. Roof Replacements - contracts for roof replacements should be awarded early in the year so that work can commence at the beginning of the dry season. 600,000 6. General Facility Improvements - early approval is requested to allow for better planning and reduce impact on facility users. 138,500 Total 1996 Capital for Advance Approval $1,198,500