Development News for Bonney Lake, Washington

Staff Well-being and Safety Addressed Through Proposed Justice and Municipal Center Upgrades

The committee discussed tenant improvement needs for the Justice and Municipal Center, including a staff break room, kitchen, and private bathroom. Judge Berry highlighted the importance of these improvements for staff well-being, particularly given the high-stress environment involving trauma exposure. The proposed conceptual design and cost estimating services by BCRA are estimated at under $20,000, to be funded from the general government CIP. These funds are restricted for capital improvements and do not impact the general fund deficit. The project is aimed at informing future budget decisions and potentially securing grant funding.

Clarification on Funding for Justice and Municipal Center Improvements Amidst Budget Concerns

During the discussion of the Justice and Municipal Center tenant improvements, Council Member McClyments raised concerns about budget shortfalls and questioned the expenditure of funds. It was clarified that the proposed $20,000 for concept design and cost estimating services comes from the general government Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund, which is restricted to capital improvements and cannot be used to offset the general fund shortfall. This fund has an ending balance of approximately $1.6 million, and the annual revenue averages around $320,000 from REIT and interest. The strategy is to maintain improvements within this annual revenue to avoid depleting the fund's corpus.

Evaluation of Reusing School Traffic Signal for Church Lake Road Intersection Under Consideration

The committee is discussing a motion to award a professional services contract to PSOMAS to evaluate the possibility of repurposing a traffic signal being removed by the school district at 200th Street and the junior/senior high schools. This signal could potentially be used at the Church Lake Road and West Taps Highway intersection, where a signal is needed by 2031. The evaluation will assess the condition and reusability of the signal components, ensuring it can be installed within existing right-of-way. The cost for this study is $11,660. Councilmember McClyments questioned the necessity, suggesting stop signs as a cost-saving alternative, but it was clarified that this project is funded from a separate Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund.

Justice and Municipal Center Tenant Improvements Considered for Concept Design and Cost Estimation

The city is seeking authorization to award a professional services contract to BCRA for concept design and cost estimating services for tenant improvements to the Justice and Municipal Center. These improvements include the creation of a staff break room kitchen, an accessible employee bathroom, and safety and access enhancements to the probation area. The estimated cost for these conceptual services is just under $20,000, to be funded from the general government CIP. The goal is to obtain cost estimates to inform the 2027-2028 budget and potentially secure grant funding.