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Hamilton Spectator
18-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Port Colborne has $1.87B in assets. Here's its plan to manage them
With more than $1.8 billion in infrastructure to manage, Port Colborne is sharpening its approach to long-term planning. At its May 27 council meeting, the city formally adopted its updated 2025 Asset Management Plan. The plan helps to break down the condition, replacement needs and strategic direction for everything from roads and sewers to IT systems and public buildings. The plan, presented by Jen Gross, senior project manager and asset management practice lead for GEI Consultants, builds on previous versions by setting service targets and incorporating more detailed condition assessments for infrastructure. 'The focus of this plan has been an update to the 2024 plan to now include targets for that level of service,' she said. While last year's version captured the state of the city's core and non-core assets, this year's update goes a step further by proposing targets for performance and delivery of those same assets. The plan covers nine categories of assets: core systems like water, wastewater, stormwater and roads, and non-core assets such as parks, fleet, facilities, IT, natural assets and the city library. Together, they're valued at $1.87 billion. Transportation infrastructure makes up the largest portion of that total, followed by stormwater, water and wastewater systems, according to data presented by Gross. A major update this year stems from gathered condition data. Over the past 12 to 18 months, the city has completed video inspections of each storm pipe in its network and continued relining work on its sanitary system. That investment in data collection is already paying off. 'Relining a pipe (means) making it in very good condition,' said Gross. 'That has been reflected in this year's numbers.' She added having accurate condition data, not just relying on age, helped to reclassify several assets from poor or unknown condition status to good or very good condition. The long-term plan outlines a 20-year forecast that includes both anticipated spending and current gaps. A visual breakdown in the plan shows the proportion of assets in 'very poor' condition in 2024 versus projections for 2045. 'If we follow this plan, you will see the impact to the overall condition of your assets,' Gross explained. The goal is to reduce the number of assets in failing condition while maintaining those in good standing. To do that, the city would have to spend more in the short term. Gross confirmed the 2025 budget reflects an increased investment in capital renewal, including funds to tackle issues in the stormwater and water systems. 'In 2025, there's a big portion of that budget going toward your renewal and replacement backlog, things that should have already been done,' she said. Several councillors asked whether past performance could be added in future reports to better track progress year over year. 'It'd be nice to be able to see how those have changed over the years,' said Ward 2 Coun. Eric Beauregard. 'For example, Port Colborne has had a lot of issues with wastewater and water.' Gross reassured him that future annual updates would include those metrics. 'That will allow you to see how you're improving over time,' she said. Ward 3 Coun. Gary Bruno emphasized the importance of real-time updates and asked whether the city could continuously track asset work as it happens. 'Isn't the plan just a living document?' he asked. Supervisor of asset management for the city Alex Rotundo confirmed the city's internal processes are adapting. 'This report might be a snapshot of a moment in time, but the activity of asset management is something that is continually going on,' he said. 'It's something we intend to keep current as time progresses.' The plan also flags gaps in IT infrastructure. Coun. Bruno raised concerns that these types of deficits, though smaller in dollar value, can carry major operational risks. 'It's not an area where you want to be attacked on,' he said. 'How does one delve into that?' CAO Brian Boles said direction from council, formal or informal, would help to prioritize areas like IT within future budgets. 'A very poor standing in IT is not something we want to see,' he said. 'We can work with the (city) clerk to make sure we have that disseminated and keep moving forward.' Boles, speaking remotely, said new investments in core IT systems such as GIS, HR, tax and billing platforms would help shift those ratings into better standing in future years. 'You'll see some of this legacy stuff disappear,' he said. 'You're going to start to see this become a much better, greener pasture.' Ward 1 Coun. Mark Bagu welcomed that update, noting it gives Port Colborne a competitive edge. 'This report would give our municipality a great kick up, it shows we are improving our asset management plan,' he said. 'I think we're doing a better job than a lot of municipalities in Niagara.' Council approved the motion directing staff to continue tracking annual performance and infrastructure condition as part of its ongoing update cycle. 'We want to make sure that you know this information is continually being updated,' said Gross. 'We're still trying to find new ways and different strategies to bring down what those needs are so that they are more affordable for the community.' Mayor Bill Steele said the plan will play a role in shaping annual budget decisions. 'It gives us a good path,' he said. 'We want each department to come forward with what the asset management plan tells them, and then it's up to us to make those tough decisions.' With councils endorsement, Port Colborne has until 2026 to begin annual progress reporting, though staff made it clear the work of asset management will remain year-round. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Green Bay to restore nearly 40 acres of habitat next to bay; total cost estimated at $2.75 million
GREEN BAY — The City Council gave the go-ahead Tuesday to begin implementing a $2.75 million project to turn back time on 37.3 acres of marsh habitat next to the bay of Green Bay. Dubbed the Tank Farm Marsh Project, the primary project area is just west of the mouth of the Fox River. Implementation of a five-year plan for the area will be overseen by environmental consulting group GEI Consultants as part of the larger effort to reverse the area's water pollution. Grant money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fund the restoration and monitoring of native wildlife. Here's what's planned and what's hoped to be brought back. The City Council hired GEI Consultants until March 2029 to oversee the project designed in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources since 2022. The $225,000 in total oversight costs will be reimbursed by EPA grant money funneled through the DNR. Subcontractors will be hired through a bidding process in the second-half of 2025, according to the anticipated timeline, with work at the site expected to begin in mid-2026 with an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Combined with the oversight costs, they equal $2.75 million for the entire project. The seven goals of the final design laid out in an 87-page report fall under a general umbrella of making a habitat that can support flora and fauna that are native to the area, rid vegetation and animals that aren't, and create a space for the public to enjoy in the process. Essentially, it aims to bring back the time when the area once known as Atkinson's Marsh, which encompassed what's today Ken Euers Nature Area, was one of the few places in Wisconsin for whooping cranes to breed and where over 250 bird species nested, according to the DNR. More: Bird not seen in Wisconsin for 178 years spotted in Green Bay nature area By the project's end, over 43,000 cubic yards of sand and topsoil will have been laid as the foundation of healthy marshland. Sycamores and oaks will intermingle with elderberry shrubs and Virginia bluebells on over 2 acres of hardwood swamp land. Rushes and water lilies, rattlesnake grass and goldenrod will populate over 15 acres of wet meadows and shallow marshland. Heron and bat colonies will have space to settle. The agreement notes that the project will end March 31, 2029. Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. Contact him at 920-834-4250 or jlin@ This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay to restore marsh habitat with EPA grants through DNR
