2016:  The Year of Fixing the City's Infrastructure?
By Brad Barnum, Executive Vice President

  

The recent El Nino storms revealed some serious cracks in the City of San Diego's infrastructure, and it is becoming more and more obvious that something needs to be done to fill the $1.4 billion funding gap for the City's Capital Improvement Program.  Last week, AGC met with two city leaders who have some ideas that should make inroads to fixing the problem.  Here is a quick look at two proposals that are likely headed to the June and November ballot, respectively:

Rebuilding San Diego
 
Last Thursday, Council Member Mark Kersey addressed AGC's Board of Directors about his proposal to create dedicated sources of revenue for infrastructure investment.  Specifically, there would be three streams of revenue:

• Excess Sales Tax Growth (30 years)
• ½ of General Fund Growth (5 years)
• 100% of Net Pension Savings (30 years)

Up to $5 billion of new money would be generated from this proposal, and the funds would be spent on capital and maintenance costs associated with neighborhood infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, storm drains, park and recreation facilities, libraries, and police and fire stations.

Since this proposal changes the City's Charter, it will need to be approved by a majority of voters.  Over the coming weeks, we can expect the City Council to draft the ballot language and vote to place it on the June ballot.  AGC's Government Relations Committee will review the measure once it is finalized.

Building Fire Stations

  

A 2011 City report called San Diego's emergency coverage inadequate due to population growth and delays in response times due to canyons.  The report also called for more fire stations, but the 19 stations recommended haven't been built.  Council President Pro Tem Emerald has an answer...place a $250 million general obligation bond on the November ballot and let the voters decide!  Last Tuesday, AGC staff and Dave Erickson of Erickson-Hall Construction Company met with her to discuss her plans.
 
The Fire Department and the City's Independent Budget Analyst estimate each new fire station will cost $10-12 million.  With the goal of getting these fire stations built quickly and efficiently, the Councilwoman has asked for a follow-up meeting with AGC's Public Building Committee to get its perspective.

A two thirds vote is required to pass a general obligation bond at the city level.  Over the coming months, the proposal will work its way through the approval process at City Council.  If passed by a majority of the City Council, it will be placed on the November ballot.

The good news is that there are more infrastructure funding measures being considered by other cities and regional agencies.  Could this be the year of infrastructure?  We are betting on it!

Committee appointments are approved by 2016 AGC San Diego Chapter President Jon Cloud, J. Cloud, Inc.

Please participate in your industry and volunteer for an AGC Committee. Get involved...the more you put into AGC, the more you'll get back!  Here is the list of the AGC Councils/Committees you may be  interested in serving:
 
Affiliate Members' Council
Airport Authority Liaison Committee
Build & Serve Charitable Committee
Caltrans Liaison Committee
City Liaison Committee
Construction Education & Training Committee
Construction Leadership Committee
County Liaison Committee
Government Relations Committee
Human Resource Practices Committee
Meetings & Events Committee
NAVFAC Liaison Committee
Public Building Liaison Committee
Safety Committee
Port Liaison Committee
Specialty Contractors' Council
Technology Trends in Construction Committee
Water Authority Committee
 
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ELECTRONIC FORM
 
Thank you in advance for your interest and participation!