Council to comb through projects

CITY HALL — After postponing the issue last week, the City Council on Tuesday is scheduled for the first time to begin the politically arduous task of deciding which of 40 proposed city improvement projects will get the ax.

In a discussion that will pit disability access upgrades against a $3.5-million soccer field, the constituencies represented on the list of capital improvement projects is as diverse as the items themselves.

Lesser known projects must also compete with more well known and popular choices for the councilmen.

While the small number of soccer fields have long been an issue with the youth sports leagues, a crime analysis system or remodel of the city permit services center face imposing competition in the form of more politically popular options like the purchase of Mountain Oaks or a revamp of fire stations.

“I’m expecting it to be a very difficult process because we are so constrained with funding,” Mayor Ara Najarian said.

With unfunded disability access upgrades at $25 million, a reconstruction of a portion of Central Avenue at $12 million and maintenance of the city’s wireless communications infrastructure at $12.5 million, just a few projects on the list could quickly deplete the approximately $30 million the council has to work with, according to city staff reports.

“The needs are tremendous,” parks Director George Chapjian said.

The majority of the big-ticket, popular items are among the 18 capital improvement projects being requested through the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

Among them, the Mountain Oaks property, community soccer fields, a dog park, aquatic center, Pacific Park Neighborhood Pool and several property acquisitions for more park space.

Besides the citywide upgrades for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Public Works Department has also pitched its own list of major projects that will have a very public and visual affect. Reconstruction and rehabilitation of portions of Central Avenue and San Fernando Road, in addition to a complete replacement of all city street signs, weigh heavy on the request list.

Also vying for top billing are new libraries, fire stations, building renovations and funding for a possible citywide wireless Internet system.