asphaltBy FirstName LastNameThe Oceanside City Council voted on Wednesday to approve plans for the 2013-2014 Annual Overlay Project.<\/p>\n
The project, which will replace deteriorated asphalt with a thick cap of new asphalt, was quoted at $5 million, 10 percent of which will be paid for with local funds.<\/p>\n
City council officials approved the contract in the amount of $3,137,137, which will be authorized by the city manager upon the receipt of all supporting documents associated with project.<\/p>\n
Jim Wood, the chair of the Oceanside Public Financing Authority (OPFA), was relieved to approve this contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of our streets are in dire need of repairs, and this project will certainly improve our commutes through the city,\u201d he mentioned after the meeting.<\/p>\n
The project, which does not yet have a start date, will be repairing sections of seven streets throughout the city. Three of those streets, including El Camino Real, are among the busiest in Oceanside.<\/p>\n
When asked if he is concerned with increased traffic on the main streets, Jack Feller did not seem concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have developed procedures for preventing too much traffic during construction, and we rarely work on the roads during busy hours,\u201d said the OPFA director. <\/p>\n
Granite Construction Company of Watsonville, California, will be tasked with undertaking the project, which was approved 5-0 by council officials.<\/p>\n
Although other construction projects are under way in Oceanside, this undertaking will be the largest in Oceanside this year. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith such a growing population, our city is working hard to maintain our busy roads,\u201d said Feller. <\/p>\n
With more than 171,000 citizens, Granite Construction\u2019s project will ensure a safe and smooth ride through Oceanside\u2019s most frequented city streets.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Annual Overlay Project, Oceanside\u2019s Annual Slurry Seal Contract is out to bid. Estimated to cost $1 million, the Slurry Seal Contract is markedly smaller than the Overlay Project, but TransNet will be funding the entire project.<\/p>\n
Transnet projects currently cost the city $11.5 million, and the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 asks for an additional $1.6 million for new roadway projects. Half of the proposed $1.6 million will go toward quiet zone construction drawings. <\/p>\n
James Riley, Oceanside’s Financial Services Director, mentioned after the Hall Council meeting that roadways are an expensive but necessary means of allocating the city’s $127.4 million budget.<\/p>\n
“You don’t realize how fast all the money dries up when everyone wants a piece of the pie, but the new roadway projects will markedly improve our streets,” he said. <\/p>\n
Fortunately, the city’s base budget, which is outlined in June’s City council agenda, increased $1.9 million this year. This has freed up money for additional projects like the $100,000 access road joining El Corazon and Ocean Ranch Blvd. <\/p>\n
“It’s always a good feeling when you know you’re working with more money than you did last year,” mentioned Riley when asked about how the budget differs from last year.<\/p>\n
Although the $6.9 million proposed budget for the Annual Overlay Project might fall short of the authorized contract, it is nevertheless a project that Wood is happy to see through.<\/p>\n
“Our city will surely benefit from our improved roads, especially as a result of the Annual Overlay Project.” <\/p>\n
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Sidebar:<\/p>\n
The Annual Overlay Project is one of many expenditures that are included in Oceanside’s current Capital Improvement Program.<\/p>\n
The city’s $86.7 million capital improvement budget for 2014 is allocated across nine main categories, the most costly being Oceanside’s water systems. <\/p>\n
In addition to water improvement projects, sewer maintenance and municipal building repairs account for $32 million of the $86.7 million budget. Transnet projects, which are the fourth largest capital improvement expenditures this year, account for 16 percent of the overall budget. <\/p>\n
When asked how the finance council allocates the budget each year, James Riley, Oceanside’s Financial Services Director, replied simply.<\/p>\n
“We determine the city’s most pressing repairs first, and then vote on projects that we think will benefit the greatest number of city residents.”<\/p>\n
Despite the magnitude of the capital expenditures, however, many city residents don’t lend much attention.<\/p>\n
“I just pay my taxes and trust that they’re spending my money the right way,” said Melissa Holohan, an Oceanside resident of 25 years. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, millions of dollars continue to be allocated each year, much of which goes toward funding projects such as this year’s Annual Overlay Project.<\/p>\n
Discussion Question:<\/p>\n
How aware are you of your city’s budget expenditures?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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