I



TABLE OF CONTENTS

_____________________________________________________________________

A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………… 3

B. Town of Cascade & Great West Engineering’s Duties 3

C. Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 3

D. Key Elements of a CIP 5

E. Policy Development 6

F. Public Outreach 7

Establish Need 8

Town Meetings 8

Service Organization Support 8

Public Education 8

G. Funding 9

H. Criteria for Setting Priorities 10

Financial Impacts 10

II. WATER SYSTEM 12

A. Water System Condition 12

B. Recommended Improvements 13

C. Estimated Water System Improvement Costs 14

III. WASTEWATER SYSTEM 15

A. Wastewater System Condition 15

B. Recommended Improvements 16

C. Estimated Wastewater System Improvement Costs…………………………..16

IV. STREET AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS 18

A. Street and Drainage Infrastructure Condition 18

B. Recommended Street and Drainage Improvements 19

C. Estimated Street System Improvements Costs………………………………...19

V. PARKS, TRAILS, & RECREATION……………...……...……………………………20

A. Parks, Trails, & Recreation Condition………………………………….............20

B. Recommended Parks, Trails & Recreation Improvements……………………22

C. Estimated Parks, Trails & Recreation Improvement Costs… ………… …….22

VI. SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS……...…...…………………………...……………......23

A. Sidewalks, Curb Ramps Condition………………………………………………23

B. Recommended Sidewalks, Curb Ramps Improvements……………………...24 C. Estimated Sidewalks, Curb Ramps Improvement Cost…… ………………...24

VII. MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS……...……………………………………………………….25

A. Municipal Buildings Conditions…………………………………………………..25

B. Recommended Municipal Buildings Improvements…………………………...26

C. Estimated Municipal Buildings Improvement Costs…………………………...27

VIII. EQUIPMENT…………..………………………………………………………………..27

A. Equipment Conditions…………………………………………………………….27

B. Recommended Equipment Improvements……………………………………..28

C. Estimated Equipment Improvement Costs……………………………………..28

IX. FIRE PROTECTION……………….………………………………………………..…29

A. Fire Protection Conditions…………………………………………………….….29

B. Recommended Equipment Improvements………………………………….….29

C. Estimated Equipment Improvement Costs………………………………….… .29

X. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT & OFFICE FURNITURE………………………….……30 A. Computer Equipment & Office Furniture Conditions……………………….….30

B. Recommended Computer Equipment & Office Furniture Improvements.…..30

C. Estimated Computer Equipment & Office Furniture Improvement Costs.…..30

XI. CEMETERIES…………………………………………………………………….……...31

A. Cemeteries Conditions…………………………………………………….…...…31

B. Recommended Cemeteries Improvements………………….……….…………31

B. Estimated Cemeteries Improvement Costs………………….……….…………31

V. SUMMARY 32

A. Summary of Recommendations………………………………………………….32

B. Priorities……………………………………………………………………………..32

C. Maintenance Program 37

Water System 37

Wastewater System 37

Street and Drainage 37

Park, Trails & Recreation 37

Sidewalks, Curb Ramps 38

Municipal Buildings 38

Equipment 38

Fire Protection 38

Computer Equipment & Office Furniture 38

Cemeteries 39

I. BACKGROUND

A. Introduction

A Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is a budgeting and financial tool used by a local governing body to establish public works rehabilitation and maintenance priorities and to establish funding for repairs and improvements. The CIP includes planning, setting of priorities, effective public works management, financial management, and community decision-making. A community’s CIP normally covers all public works: streets, water, sewer, bridges, drainage, parks, public buildings, etc. This report sets forth a method to revise the “CIP” of the Town’s streets, wastewater and water facilities and all other areas of the Town’s facilities. As you will see set forth in this CIP, the streets, wastewater and water facilities are normally the most expensive facilities. Also, these facilities are subject to intense regulation and are time consuming to administer, operate and maintain. CIP’s are generally the most appropriate planning document for small communities such as Cascade. The Town of Cascade Infrastructure Needs Survey conducted January 2020 also ranked several of these facilities as priorities for improvement. Appendix A presents a summary of the results of the Needs Assessment Survey and re-enforces the Town’s priorities for improvements.

The purpose of this report is to outline the key elements of a CIP to fund repairs, replacements, upgrades and expansion to all of the Town’s facilities. The report qualifies the level of recommended repair measures as well as the associated budgetary costs. This report is intended to be a guide to the Town of Cascade community leaders to effectively pursue much needed funding for their municipal infrastructure system.

B. The Town of Cascade’s and Great West Engineering’s Duties

The Town of Cascade Council and employees re-visited Great West Engineering’s review of the streets, wastewater and water system. The Council and employees also did an inventory of all other areas of the Town’s facilities as you will see set forth in this 2020 CIP.

In 2011, the Town of Cascade contracted with Great West Engineering to prepare a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) addressing the Town’s streets, wastewater and water systems. The investigation included the review of underground infrastructure as-built information, engineering evaluations of the sewer and water systems, and a systematic field investigation of the Town street system. The investigation and subsequent evaluation were conducted in accordance with established, commonly recognized engineering procedures. Since then, the water infrastructure has been completed, as has a great deal of the sewer infrastructure. The treatment buildings at the Madison Wells have been replaced with concrete structures.

C. Capital Improvements Program (CIP)

The proposed CIP is a budgeting and financial tool that can be used by local governing bodies to establish public works rehabilitation and maintenance priorities and to establish improvement funding. The CIP process involves planning/prioritization, effective public works management, financial management, and community decision-making.

A CIP consists of five basic elements:

1. Inventory and evaluation of existing conditions for each facility;

2. Prioritization of needs for each segment of the improvements;

3. Identification of monetary options that can be used to meet the needs;

4. Establishment of a time schedule that matches available funds to the improvements required to meet the system needs;

5. A brief written document (this CIP), which is formally adopted by the governing body.

A CIP is a common sense, systematic approach for many municipalities to evaluate their needs and secure the necessary support of town officials and the general public. Some notable advantages of developing a CIP for the Town of Cascade facility systems maintenance process include:

▪ Cost effectiveness and improved effectiveness of government expenditures,

▪ To understand and respond to citizens needs,

▪ To obtain community support,

▪ To obtain a consensus of critical projects,

▪ To avoid crisis situations resulting from lack of maintenance,

▪ To set a stable financial plan and demonstrate sound planning to bond underwriters and funding programs,

▪ To dedicate a CIP Fund for the sole purpose of paying for capital improvements,

▪ To help provide systematic direction to Town staff and consultants.

A CIP is a cost saving tool that identifies where improvements will be needed rather than waiting for each crisis to occur before taking action. It is usually more expensive to make emergency repairs than it is to maintain a system in working order by foreseeing problems and making corrections before there is a total breakdown in the system. The CIP also reduces risk and avoids the inconvenience and public safety threat associated with emergency type facilities.

Since there is never enough money to meet all needs, the CIP assists the governing body in establishing priorities for funding projects from different types of facilities. A CIP provides the council with information on which project is most technically critical and which is most economical. Thus, money is allocated in the most effective way with an eye towards avoiding last minute crises.

An added benefit to implementing a CIP is to memorialize council planning and decisions. As councilpersons and key staff members come and go the CIP document, particularly if it is routinely updated, will remain a constant.

D. Key Elements of a CIP

The development of a CIP requires that certain information for each community’s facility systems be collected and assembled in a format that can be entered into the CIP process. The key elements fundamental to developing a CIP are:

Inventory/Analysis

In order to develop a CIP, the Town needs to inspect their entire facility systems. To do this, a thorough field analysis must be performed and the described systems carefully analyzed. Sound recommendations should be entered into a manageable database and summary tables developed as applicable. This data may then be used as the basis for the CIP approach

In 2011, Great West Engineering conducted a field investigation and document review of the water, wastewater and street systems. The inventory included a review of the Water System Analysis. The inventory also included a review of the Wastewater Facility Plan Addendum prepared by Damschen & Associates in 1996. Department of Environmental Quality files for Cascade’s water and wastewater facilities were reviewed and discussions with DEQ officials were conducted to help describe the performance of the existing facilities. In 2016, an updated PER was completed for the wastewater system needs. The Town also conducted a detailed Infrastructure Needs Survey of all of the residents of Cascade. A summary of the Needs Assessment Survey is enclosed in Appendix A. Based on previous data, reports, DEQ files, input from the public and the Town Council, the Engineer conducted an analysis of the streets, water and wastewater systems utilizing standard engineering practice and. In consideration of satisfying current and future regulations and design standards.

To further the inventory/analysis the Town of Cascade Council held a “Public Hearing for Community Needs” in December 2011. The community enforced the needs of the Town. In January 2020, a community needs survey was done and is included in the updated Growth Policy. The Council and employees then began doing an inventory and evaluation of all facility systems needs in March 2020.

Cost Estimates

Preliminary cost estimates for improvements identified by the inventory and analysis phase are made using estimated budgetary unit prices. All administrative, engineering, inspection and contingency costs are incorporated with historic construction costs to develop the budgetary unit prices. Due to the general nature of the analysis, these cost estimates are not accurate enough to be used as a definitive basis for estimating the cost of a specific improvement project, but are acceptable for budget level estimates.

The budgetary cost estimate task has been completed and is addressed herein. This task included extracting information from and supplementing the references listed previously.

Funding Analysis

The research and identification of funding sources to finance improvements to the system is one of the most important and difficult tasks in the CIP process. Due to the fluctuation of available federal and state funding, it is only possible to forecast funding availability from these sources for short time periods when budgets are known, and difficult to forecast for the periods of time over which the CIP extends. For this reason, the current level of funding from state gas tax, federal aid urban funds, other state and federal funding programs, grants, loans and user fees, is assumed to be the same for the duration of the CIP. Funding options for this CIP are discussed in more detail in Section G of this report.

Public Involvement/Outreach

Public outreach and support of the CIP is one of the most essential elements of the entire planning process. It is essential that input from the council, staff and community are solicited and considered during preparation, adoption and updating of the plan.

This topic is discussed in greater detail in Part F of this section.

Adoption of CIP

The governing body should formally adopt the CIP by resolution. The final CIP document should be utilized during the annual budgeting process.

Secure Funding

Funding sources may require passing revenue or general obligation bonds, obtaining loans, creating SID’s, creating maintenance districts, raising user fees or carrying out other local government fund raising methods.

Project Construction

When the money is received, scheduling and management of the construction projects may proceed.

Annual CIP Update

Cost accounting and reprioritization occurs at the annual update stage. This annual process should also focus on periodic re-inspection of the Town of Cascade facility systems as a whole and updating the maintenance database.

E. Policy Development

The Town of Cascade should consider further establishing policies that guide the CIP process. Policy guidelines are a reflection of overall community goals and objectives related to future growth and development and fiscal capacity. Policies are very useful because they provide long-term guidance on how day-to-day decisions should be made so that the daily decisions conform to long-term and overall community needs. What this means is that decision makers need to take time to ask themselves questions about where their community is going, how they are going to get there, and how funds will be allocated to do this.

The CIP will be incorporated into an annual planning process. The Cascade City Planning Board and Zoning Committee will be part of this process, in that they make the recommendations regarding land use and comprehensive planning that should be compatible and coordinated with CIP policies. The Town of Cascade will utilize the CIP in the updating of any comprehensive plans and zoning regulations. Likewise, we will use any comprehensive plan and zoning information when preparing and updating the CIP (Example account for population and build out density). The CIP will also be used annually when creating the fiscal year budget.

Public works policies can span the range from fiscal policies concerning indebtedness to management policies relating to proper maintenance and operation of a facility. Some categories of policies include fiscal policies, policies on allocation costs, policies on how to finance capital projects, and policies on planning construction and management.

Some suggested policies the Town may consider are:

1. Regular facility inspections and systematic maintenance will be a primary goal of the Town Council.

2. DEQ inspections should be incorporated into the CIP updating process.

F. Public Outreach

Public support for the CIP is the most essential element of the entire planning process. Ultimately, the consumer will pay for the improvements and must be convinced that such improvements are necessary. The best, most logical program may be rejected by the rate paying community due to lack of public awareness of infrastructure problems.

Many citizens are often unaware of the most fundamental public works issues including: scope of the problems, consequences of not making repairs, short term costs versus long term savings, what are fair rates for services, how repairs can be made affordable, etc. Thus, local leaders will have to work extra hard to inform and educate citizens on these issues. This section outlines the recommended process for involving the public.

The Town has designated the Mayor to be a “Spokesman” to convey the needs of the local infrastructure to the general public. Techniques by this person that are vital to gaining public support are:

▪ Begin as early as possible in the process to inform and educate the public. It is a grave mistake to “surprise” the public with final plans just before a governing body hearing on the issues. People generally support projects in which they have been involved, especially those who have witnessed step-by-step decision making by the governing body.

▪ Have inspection, analysis and background data compiled at the start of the public information phase of the CIP.

▪ Be able to justify the need for the program as well as explain the benefits. Outline the consequences of not improving the infrastructure.

Following are suggested outreach methods to gain support for the Town’s CIP. These suggestions are listed in accordance with their anticipated effectiveness. Note that the order of the outreach methods is very important and is discussed further in this section:

Establish Need

First and foremost, the governing body and local community leaders must be convinced of the need for a CIP. Thorough presentation and review by the Public Works Superintendent and/or Consultants are vital to gaining a commitment from the body.

Town Meetings

Conduct a Town meeting to present the CIP to the public and solicit constructive interaction. This meeting is an important gauge of the political climate and helps determine if alternatives should be considered.

Service Organization Support

The Governing Body should solicit support from local service organizations.

Public Education

Information summary fliers are successful in public education. Though the content must be short and concise, these information fliers can provide the basic components of a CIP as well as alert residents of future town workshops and meetings. Public service announcements (PSA) via press releases or paid ads are an effective outreach method. This procedure could be used in addition to utility bill stuffers or mailed fliers. Other options could also include “Open Houses” at the town hall, tours of the facilities or utilizing local TV and radio stations.

As mentioned herein, the order and timing of the public outreach campaign is vitally important. It is suggested that the outreach campaign be conducted in the following order:

1. Governing body commitments

2. Presentations and education of CIP Advisory Committee

3. Solicit service organizations support

4. Distribute information fliers/PSA’s

5. Conduct Town meetings

G. Funding

The role of the CIP process is to identify the amount of money required and establish the best method(s) to obtain financing. Water and sewer infrastructure improvements can often be funded with grants and low interest loans from state and/or federal programs. Unlike water and sewer infrastructure improvements, state or federal grants and loans are practically nonexistent for street improvements and maintenance. Municipalities generally use gas tax monies or general funds to finance street upgrades and maintenance.

The process of financing improvements should begin with a Financial Forecast. It is important to develop a financial forecast of the public funds likely to be used in financing improvements over the coming five years. Note that 3-5 year programs are widely used across the nation. This tool is critical to estimate how many projects can be scheduled in accordance with a five-year plan. This forecast is necessary to identify lack of available funds in existing Town accounts and establish need for outside fund sources.

A Financial Forecast is broken down into two main components: A Revenue Forecast, and an Expenditure Forecast. With these forecasts in hand, the Town is able to accurately assess the amount of supplemental funding needed.

Research of available supplemental funding sources reveals several options:

▪ Fund and/or defray costs of improvements

- Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)-Grants & Loans

- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-Grants

- Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP)-Grants

- Rural Utility Service/Rural Development (RUS/RD)-Grant and Loan

- State Revolving Fund (SRF), (Water and Wastewater)-Loans

- Economic Development Administration (EDA)-Grant

- Community Treasure Endowment Program (CTEP)-Grant

- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MT F,W&P)-Grant

- Other Private Grants and Donations

▪ Fund improvement construction and remediation maintenance

- General Obligation (GO) and/or Revenue Bonds

▪ Fund facilities improvements

- Special Improvement Districts (SID’s)

- Local Option Gas Tax

▪ Fund annual maintenance

- Improvement District or Maintenance District

- Budgeting Annually in all Funds

Refer to Appendix B for prepared summaries of financial options for “Water and Wastewater projects” and “Street & Road Improvements projects”.

H. Criteria for Setting Priorities

The following lists are suggested criteria for which each proposed infrastructure project could be judged. Each potential project should be accompanied by the types of information noted below. This is not to say that all such information is to be included in the CIP. Rather, this information is to be used only to help rank each project in order of priority.

Financial Impacts

Capital Costs

The governing body should be provided with information concerning both the portion of the project costs for which the local government is responsible and the portion that will be paid by others (outside funding agencies, private monies, etc.). If expenditures will be incurred over a period of more than one year, all long-term costs should be shown.

Reducing Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

One of the major reasons for capital projects is often to reduce O&M costs. It is important not to underestimate the degree to which O&M costs affect your operating budget. Any capital improvements that can reduce operating costs should be seriously considered. Likewise, added long-term O&M costs arising from an expansion of facilities should be considered as they will result in future increases to the annual operating budget.

Changes in Local Government Revenue

Some proposed infrastructure projects will positively or negatively affect tax revenues or service charges. For example, a sanitary sewer extension project will generate additional hook-on fees and monthly user charges. Revenue changes should all be calculated.

Health and Safety Effects

Many public works projects will have an important impact on the crucial area of public safety. While it is difficult to assign a dollar value, they represent perhaps the most valuable public service that any government can provide. The value of the project in lives saved or injuries prevented should be stated. Projects, which protect public health and safety, should have a very high priority.

Effects on Local Economic Development

Economic development means business expansion and creation of new jobs. Since economic development is the objective of many capital projects, it is important to set forth the close correlation between capital improvements and economic development. The economic benefits of a project should be documented in the following areas:

▪ Local Property Tax Base

▪ Property Values

▪ Increased Employment

▪ Investment in Local Economy

Civic Pride and Community Livability

Falling under this category are all capital improvement impacts, which would affect the environmental, aesthetic or social condition of your community. Examples include the reduction of traffic congestion, air pollution, and noise in a downtown shopping area.

Public Support

It is usually desirable to place a higher priority on projects that have generated a good deal of public support. It should be remembered that without a sufficient degree of public support, some public projects (such as those backed by general obligation bonds or special assessments) simply couldn’t go forward due to statutory requirements for public approval.

Compliance with State or Federal Regulations

A high priority should be assigned to projects that are required by state or federal regulations. Failure to comply with regulations could result in threats to public health or safety, damage to the environment, and fines levied against the local government.

Availability of Funds

If funding is available “right now” for one project, you probably will want to assign this project a higher priority ranking. Projects for which funding is not available or difficult projects to finance are normally assigned lower priorities.

Setting priorities between types of facilities is another task for the governing body and staff. The typical situation is that there is not enough money to do everything. There are no easy answers, although the 7 criteria previously mentioned can help clarify the priorities. Because the CIP looks forward 5 years, projects that cannot be financed this year could be scheduled for financing in years 2-5.

The following points are offered as an outline for a successful priority setting process.

▪ Consistently maintain financial viability through financial planning.

▪ Assure availability of qualified technical expertise.

▪ Promote technological innovation, “fresh ideas”; avoid quick “cookbook” approaches.

▪ Determine public needs for service as well as wishes in changing economic environment.

▪ Communicate these needs to the user, and the costs of facilities to meet those needs.

▪ Encourage public participation.

▪ Involve the regulatory or granting agency in the decision-making process to assure full understanding of the project by all parties.

▪ Employ the planning process continuously (annually) for updates.

▪ Do not be afraid to plan for things you cannot currently afford; be realistic in your needs and work to obtain required funds.

II. WATER SYSTEM

A. Water System Condition

The Town of Cascade’s domestic water system consists of several components. The major facilities are depicted in the Water System PER addendum, Great West Engineering 2018. As outlined in the PER, the source of water for the system currently consists of two wells and developed springs. The wells and springs fill the reservoirs which in turn deliver water via gravity into the distribution piping to meet user demands. The storage reservoirs consist of two 102,000-gallon concrete tanks and one 278,000-gallon steel tank located approximately a half mile west of Town. A pressure transducer located in a piping vault near the tanks senses the tank level and enables control of the pumping cycles and associated reservoir level. The distribution system consists of 6-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch mains with associated fittings, gate valves and fire hydrants. The most recent 2018 PER is on file at Town Hall. In 2019, the Town was awarded grants from TSEP and RRGL to do three areas of looping at dead ends and replace the concrete storage tank. An SRF loan and local funds will complete the funding.

A new meter reader has been purchased to replace the obsolete reader that is almost 20 years old.

Several water system improvement projects have been completed in the last twenty years. The most recent water projects include:

*In 2001, there was the drilling and completion of Madison Well #2. With the completion of Madison Well #2, the Town has sufficient water quality and quantity to meet its needs for many years. The Well #2 project also included the installation of water meters which has drastically reduced water usage of the system. The deficiencies with the water supply are the reservoirs will need to be relined or replaced within the next five years. Funds are being set aside annually and grants will be written for the reservoirs (currently $91,000).

*In 2007, the installation of a new 12” water main line from the reservoirs, under I-15 and down 2nd Avenue North. A new 273,000-gallon reservoir was installed to allow for more storage. This is a great improvement for our emergency and fire fighting needs, as well as the 18 new fire hydrants that were installed during this project.

*In 2010, the installation of new 8” water main lines on 1st Street from 3rd Avenue North to 4th Avenue South and several blocks in between on side streets and avenues. Soft starts were added for increased energy efficiency. New shut-off valves were installed at most of the affected properties during this construction. A diesel-powered, portable gen-set was purchased for back-up at the water wells in the event of a power outage.

*In 2014, approximately 12,000 feet of water mains were replaced on miscellaneous streets and avenues throughout Cascade. A new 6” main has been added on Russell Drive North from Central Avenue East to the Town shop. A new 6” main has been added on Water Street South from Central Avenue East. Shut-off valves were installed at most of the affected properties during this construction. Both pump houses at Madison Wells #1 and #2 have been replaced with concrete cast buildings. A number of dead-end lines are now looped. Madison Well #1 pump has been replaced with SRF funds and Madison Well #2 pump has been replaced with local funds.

*In 2015, more fencing was added around the Madison Wells and reservoirs for better security at the water works facility.

*In 2016, the 6” main was extended from the Town shop on Russell Drive north to the end, perpendicular to 4th Avenue North. There is a dead end at this time.

The loan from the Phase II water project has been paid in full. The loan from the Phase III water project was paid in full in Fiscal Year 2016-17.

*In 2017, fencing was added for health and security purposes around the springs west of Cascade. Abandoned pipes from the former wells have been removed from the Missouri River Bridge and underneath the bridge. This was completed with DNRC funding.

*In 2018, the Town looped an existing dead end on 4th Street South to the main on 3rd Street South, travelling west on 3rd Avenue South. *The existing wooden chlorination building was replaced with a concrete structure. *The water PER was updated in order to pinpoint remaining deficiencies for grant writing. *A new GIS mapping system was created for the water system with a Montana Land Information Grant.

*In 2020, the concrete tank was replaced with a new 250,000-gallon concrete tank. The old tank will be turned into cold storage. The Town looped a dead end at the north end of Russell Drive and a dead end at the south end of Water Street. This was done with TSEP, RRGL, local, and SRF funds.

*In the spring of 2021, the looping of a dead end on Water Street up to Russell Drive and over to Central Avenue will be completed. This was done with TSEP, RRGL, local, and SRF funds.

At this time, all of the existing 100+ year old pipe has been replaced and will have a useful life of approximately 50-100 years.

B. Recommended Improvements and Estimated Costs

There is currently one (1) dead-end left in the water mains at the south end of 1st Street South. There is nowhere to loop this at this time.

The Town is in discussions about future expansion of our water mains to encourage annexation. This includes adding to the 6” main on Russell Drive North to the North Park fishing access. It will be cast iron within the BNSF right-of-way, then PVC for the remainder. Once at North Park, a 2” line can be run for irrigation within the park.

Meters are being replaced as they stop working. They have been in place for almost 20 years.

The recommended improvements outlined in the water system analysis addendum are summarized in Table 1 and include the following:

|Table 1 |

|Town of Cascade – Water Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

| |

|Looping of line on Water Street to Russell Drive |$77,500 | | | | | |

|Madison Pumps | |$40,000 | | | | |

|WRF Loan Payment | |$32,000 |$31,500 |$31,000 |$31,500 |$489,938 |

|Replacement Meters (200) | |$50,000 | | | | |

|Wind break (Trees) at Water System | |$5,000 | | | | |

|Cutout Road, Add Garage Doors to Abandoned Concrete Tank | |$5,000 | | | | |

|Inspection/Repair of Madison Well Pumps | |$100,000 | | | | |

|Fence Individual Springs | | |$15,000 | | | |

|Codification of Ordinances (w/Gen/Sewer) | | | |$3,000 | | |

|Water Main Extension from Russell Drive to North ParkPotable | | | | |$170,000 | |

|Irrigation | | | | | | |

|2” Line at North Park for Non-Potable Irrigation | | | | |$20,000 | |

|Grant Writing PER Update | | | | | |$30,000 |

|  |

|  |  |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |FY 2024 |FY 2025 |FUTURE |

| I. Projects |

| |SRF Loan Payment |$13,229 |$35,113 |$34,563 |$34,013 |$34,463 |$534,410 |

| |TV Inspection/Jetting |$7,000 |$7,000 |$7,000 |$7,000 |$7,000 |$7,000 |

| |Add manhole on Russell Drive South |$7,800 | | | | | |

| |between lift station and Central Ave | | | | | | |

| |(4) Service taps between 2nd Ave N-2nd |$15,000 | | | | | |

| |Ave S | | | | | | |

| |Storm drain extension in alley between | |$5,000 | | | | |

| |Front St. and 1st St. S. | | | | | | |

| |Fix storm drain issues between pool and| |$5,000 | | | | |

| |baseball field. Drain under new | | | | | | |

| |sidewalk from pool to bleachers. | | | | | | |

| |PER Update (Grants) | | |$30,000 | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter 3rd Ave. No. from Front St.| | |$90,000 | | | |

| |to 4th St. No (w/sidewalks) | | | | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter Central Ave (north | | |$11,250 | | | |

| |side)from 1st St to alley before 2nd St| | | | | | |

| |(w/sidewalk repair) | | | | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter Central Ave (south side) | | |$22,500 | | | |

| |from 1st St to 2nd St (w/sidewalk | | | | | | |

| |repair) | | | | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter Front St from Weds Hall to | | |$11,250 | | | |

| |1st Ave So | | | | | | |

| |Codification of Ordinances | | | |$3,000 | | |

| |(w/Gen/Water-Planning Grant) | | | | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter 3rd Ave So from 3rd St to | | | |$22,500 | | |

| |4th St (w/new sidewalk) | | | | | | |

| |Grant Writing | | | | |$15,000 | |

| |(2024 Project) | | | | | | |

| |Main Replacement in alley between Front| | | | |$137,500 | |

| |St and 1st St from 2nd Ave S to Central| | | | | | |

| |Avenue (with alley rebuild) | | | | | | |

| |Main Replacement in alley between Front| | | | |$137,500 | |

| |St and 1st St from Central Ave to 3rd | | | | | | |

| |Ave N (w/alley rebuild) | | | | | | |

| |Storm drain-curb and gutter 3rd St. | | | | |$45,000 | |

| |S.-2nd Ave. S. to 4th Ave. S. | | | | | | |

| |Storm drain-curb and gutter 2nd St. | | | | |$45,000 | |

| |S.-2nd Ave. S. to 4th Ave. S. | | | | | | |

| |Curb/Gutter (w/sidewalk) 1st Ave. | | | | |$67,500 | |

| |N.-Front St. to 3rd St. | | | | | | |

| |Tanker (to move sewer in emergency) | | | | | |$10,000 |

| |(w/General) | | | | | | |

| |Jet Vac Truck | | | | | |$145,000 |

|  |Total |$ |$ |$ |$ |$ |$ |

|  |Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$ |

IV. STREET AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

A. Street Infrastructure Condition

The road surfacing within Cascade consists of gravel, double shot chip seal and asphalt pavement. However, the majority of streets in Cascade have asphalt paved surfaces. Over half have chip seal. In addition, some of the streets have curb, gutter and sidewalks.

The general condition of the streets in Cascade is good. The general condition of the avenues is good. The Town uses gas tax and BaRSAA funds to replace or repair streets every two to four years. Streets are typically overlaid with a three-inch mat of asphalt. The Town would like to chip seal all overlays in the future. As part of the Town’s policy, streets are not overlaid until the water and/or sewer main has been replaced for that block. This prevents tearing up new pavement to repair or replace old water or sewer mains. As of 2015, all of the water mains are now replaced. The new schedule will now follow sewer main replacement.

*In 2009, the block of Front Street was replaced from Central Avenue to 1st Avenue North with Stimulus Money.

*In 2011, the State of Montana replaced 1st Street (Highway 68) from Cascade Exit 254 to Exit 256 as a STIP project. The street was widened to be more uniform in width.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant sidewalks were added to the west side of 1st Street. During the 2010 water project, the streets were replaced at the site of construction. 2nd Street North from Central Avenue to 2nd Avenue North were completely overlaid with funding from the water project, gas tax and private funding.

*During the 2014-15 water project, the remainder of approximately 12,000 feet of water main was replaced. The Town replaced 13 blocks of streets either partially or completely with water, sewer, gas tax, loan and grant funds. They were asphalted and chip sealed. The road to the water system was rebuilt.

*In 2015, the alley between 3rd Street South and 4th Street South was developed from 2nd Avenue South to 3rd Avenue South. Once the land adjacent to this is developed, the owners will need to create an alley connecting to this as part of the development (at their expense).

*In 2016, the alley between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North was developed from Russell Drive to the Missouri River to provide off-street parking for the residents.

*In 2017, 3rd Street North between Central Avenue and 2nd Avenue North had an asphalt overlay.

*In 2018, 3rd Avenue South was widened from 4th Street South to 3rd Street South to be uniform with the rest of the avenues. 2nd Avenue South and 3rd Avenue South were paved from 3rd Street South to 4th Street South, which was also paved. All new street development south of this must be done to the same or more than what they are connecting to at the developer’s expense.

*In 2020, fourteen blocks of alleys were built up and graveled. As funding is available, we will continue to budget for this. 5th Street North was developed between 1st Avenue North and 2nd Avenue North and graveled. All avenues and 4th Street South were chip sealed.

An ordinance creating a truck route on Central Avenue and 1st Street has been passed to prevent heavy equipment and vehicles from doing damage on the side streets throughout Cascade. This will further preserve the streets and avenues in Cascade. Millings from this project were used on Front Street from Old US Highway 91 to 2nd Avenue North to improve the condition of this street.

The Town also performs regular maintenance of the streets and alleys including pothole repair, street sweeping, cleaning storm drains, grading, etc.

B. Recommended Street Improvements and Estimated Costs

It is recommended that the Town continue its practice of overlaying streets once the utilities have been replaced. This approach makes good sense and has been successful for the Town to date. The full asphalt overlays and chip sealing have a long life and have performed well in Cascade since the drainage is well developed and the subgrade soils for the area are relatively good. One issue that the Town will need to address on some of the streets is that with multiple overlays the curb is losing the needed grade separation to satisfactorily control storm water. For these streets, the Town will need to mill the existing asphalt street prior to placing the overlay. In general, the Town should examine the drainage as part of any street improvement or sidewalk project. In many cases a simple overlay will work effectively without negatively impacting drainage. However, some projects may require asphalt milling or other improvements to maintain good drainage. Table 3 contains street improvement costs and priorities. The streets are being replaced during the water and sewer projects, so the Town’s costs will be lower to replace the remaining sections of these streets.

Street system improvements are listed below in Table 3.

|Table 3 |

|Town of Cascade – Street System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

| |Street |Footage |Surface Type |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$795,000 |

V. PARKS, TRAILS, & RECREATION

A. Parks, Trails & Recreation Condition

Parks: The Town of Cascade has the following parks: Atkinson Park, Railroad Park North, Railroad Park South, North Park, and Wedsworth Park.

The parks are adequate in location and size. The parks are maintained by the Public Works Department, who does the cleaning, mowing, installation and fixing of equipment and planting of trees. The Town received money in 2007 from PPL Montana to create North Park by installing a boat ramp, parking, restrooms and picnic tables. An annual maintenance check is sent to the Town by PPL/Northwestern Energy. Railroad Park South is manually watered. The Town plants new trees at the parks each year and routinely uses an Arbor Day grant to off-set tree planting expenses. In 2014, The Town became a Tree City USA member, increasing the grant funding available. The parks are kept in excellent condition.

Trails: Currently the Town has two trails. The trail at Atkinson Park is now an asphalt trail and was created by the Public Works Department in 1998. It begins at the north end of the park by 4th Avenue North and ends at 2nd Avenue North. The trail was upgraded to asphalt in 2016 with a grant from Recreational Trails, a grant from NW Energy, and local funds. Joe’s Trail was started in 2007 with a Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks grant and the Town’s matching contribution. It begins with a kiosk at the rivers edge and continues from there with sidewalks to Russell Drive and up Central Avenue West to Front Street. It continues down Front Street to Old US Highway 91, where it goes east towards Ulm and west to 1st Street. At 1st Street, it now connects all the way to 2nd Avenue South. This is due to the project the State of Montana did in 2011. The trails are in good condition.

Recreation: Atkinson Park has a swimming pool, baseball field, basketball court, tennis court, skate park, playground equipment, a gazebo, a cook shack, and picnic table areas with additional outside restrooms separate from the swimming pool house. Atkinson Park has a sprinkler system for watering.

The baseball field is budgeted every year for supplies, maintenance and repair. The basketball and tennis courts receive a new asphalt overlay as needed and are in fair condition. The Town received a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks grant, a Tony Hawk grant and donations that the children of the community raised through fund raisers, along with the town’s matching funds to build the skate park in 2006. In 2008, the Town received another Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks grant along with the town’s match to install more equipment in the skate park. The skate park is in good condition. The Town will budget as needed for the upkeep of the skate park. The playground equipment, of which some is more than 30 years old, consists of a slide, swing set, merry-go-round, climbing dome, and some riding horses on springs. In 2019, the slide and a swing set were replaced with local funds. A gazebo was built in 2009, and contains 3 picnic tables. The wooden picnic tables are being replaced each year with concrete tables placed on a concrete slab. These prevent vandalism and are easier to maintain. In 2017, a concrete slab, sidewalk and picnic benches were added at the end of the asphalt trail on 2nd Avenue North with a Program Development grant from DNRC.

At Railroad Park North there are picnic tables, benches, a climbing dome, slides and a swing set. The climbing dome is more than 30 years old. A basketball court was put in at the north end of the park in November of 2016 with General Fund money. The playground equipment at the North Railroad Park was replaced with new equipment in 2019 with money from an Accessible Playgrounds grant and the General Fund. A grant from BNSF was received for part of the match. An ADA picnic area was constructed in 2020 with a grant from AARP Community Challenge. There is a manual sprinkler system in this park.

At South Railroad Park there are picnic tables, horse shoe pits and a pavilion with a barbeque cooking area. The American Legion built the pavilion for the Town and it is in good condition.

Recreation amenities at North Park are in good condition thanks to PPL Montana-funded renovation completed in 2007. North Park now has picnic table areas, a restroom and a boat ramp. PPL Montana, which was bought out by Northwestern Energy continues to provide maintenance funding at a rate of $16,000 plus a cost of living increase each year for the Town to maintain the park. Trees and a drip system were added in 2010-11 with these maintenance funds. A grant was awarded in 2014 by the River Fund to extend the asphalt walking trail to the perimeter of North Park and connect to Joe’s Trail. It also added an established picnic area, replacing the wooden picnic tables with concrete tables and a roofed pavilion. Lighting at the pavilion area was added in 2015 with extended electricity. In 2017, a playground area was built with the NW Energy funding. In 2019, playground equipment was installed. A fence will be constructed around the playground in the spring of 2021. A gravel parking lot was added by the new pavilion/picnic area.

In 2018, a new recreation area was added on the north side of Wedsworth Hall. There is a concrete pad for entertaining, new glass doors to enter the hall, a barbeque area and sidewalk from the park to the sidewalk/parking. Concrete picnic tables and pads were added. The Town was awarded a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant, which added a missing section of sidewalk on 4th Avenue North in 2018. This completed connectivity from Joe’s Trail to the Atkinson Park Trail. *A new GIS mapping system was created for the parks and trails system with a Montana Land Information Grant.

B. Recommended Parks, Trails & Recreation Improvements and Estimated Costs

Parks: The recommendation is that the Town continues the annual upkeep of the parks, which should include continued removal and replacement of any dead or diseased trees and to install a sprinkler system at Railroad Park South. A pump should be added at North Park for the watering system.

Trails: “Joe’s Trail” is a non-profit venture aimed at installing a trail from Cascade to Ulm, following the frontage road and railroad tracks. The Town should continue the trail around the perimeter of the city limits for complete connectivity.

Recreation: The recommendation is that the Town continues the annual maintenance and upkeep of the equipment including the continued routine asphalt, overlay and sealing of the basketball and tennis courts which will prolong the life-cycle and keep future costs down. The Town should also replace the playground equipment and add a fall zone in Atkinson Park with equipment that is safer and more appealing to young children.

Parks, trails and recreation improvements costs are listed below in Table #4

|Table #4 |

|Town of Cascade – Parks, Trails & Recreation System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Park or Trail | |Equip |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$324,580 |

There is a budget set annually for the supplies, maintenance and repairs for the upkeep of the parks, trails and recreation of the Town.

The Town has received grant funds from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the River Fund, Safe Routes to School, Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP), Recreational Trails and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for trail and sidewalk improvements.

VI. SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS

A. Sidewalks, Curb & Gutter Condition

Sidewalks located within the Town of Cascade are in poor to excellent condition. There is now some consistency with the sidewalk system through the Town. A few areas of Town still have very old sidewalks, some dating back to 1913, with an adjacent boulevard with trees; other areas have portions of newer sidewalks, installed by the private homeowner or grant funding; still other areas have no sidewalks or curbs and gutters. Additionally, sidewalk location, dimension and construction are now more consistent throughout the Town. Some sidewalks do not have handicap accessible curb ramps, and other areas that do have curb ramps do not meet the current requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is some consistency with curb and gutter through out the Town.

Many sections of sidewalk have been lifted or broken by tree roots and other normal wear and tear. The Town Public Works Department routinely repairs the lifted and damaged sections of sidewalk.

The Town has been limited financially to replace or expand the current sidewalk system. Limited sidewalk installation has been or will be completed in conjunction with the Town’s Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park grant, Safe Routes to School, CTEP grant trail project (see the Parks, Trails & Recreation – Section V) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

* The Town has used Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks grant money to install sidewalks on 1st Avenue N.E. from Russell Drive to a kiosk by the Missouri River.

*In 2011, the State of Montana completed a project that widened, overlaid and paved 1st Street West (MT HWY 68) from Cascade Exit 254 to Exit 256 and repaired, replaced and added sidewalks to 1st Street from 3rd Avenue North to 4th Avenue South on the west side. Also added and replaced sidewalks on 1st Street from 3rd Avenue North to 2nd Avenue South on the east side. State and Federal money paid for this project. Prior to this, the Town completed Phase II of the water project in conjunction with the State project. Part of the water project was to replace water main on 1st Street West. This needed to be done before the State could do the overlay and paving.

*In 2015, the sidewalk on Front Street from Central Avenue to approximately 200’ south was replaced with an ADA compliant sidewalk. This was paid for by the Wedsworth Estate and Cascade Sr. Citizen’s Center.

*In 2018, sidewalks on both sides of Central Avenue from 1st Street to the Missouri River were replaced or added. A new section of sidewalk was added on 4th Avenue North between 2nd Street North and 4th Street North to complete that block. Sidewalks on 3rd Street South from Central Avenue to 2nd Avenue South were repaired/replaced. These funds were available for community sidewalk and trail projects through the Montana Department of Transportation (Transportation Alternatives Program-TAP) and are administered by the State. Local funds matched the grant.

*In 2020, the Town was awarded a grant for the TA program. This phase added new sidewalks on 3rd Street South from 2nd Avenue South to 4th Avenue South; repaired sidewalks on 2nd Street South from Central Avenue to 2nd Avenue South; added new sidewalks on 2nd Street South from 2nd Avenue South to 4th Avenue South; and added new sidewalks on 3rd Avenue South from 3rd Street South to 1st Street South (the Town used local funds to add curb and gutter to this).

The Town will continue to write grants and enforce the sidewalk ordinance to further repair and replace old sidewalks with ADA compliant sidewalks.

B. Recommended Sidewalks and Curb & Gutter Improvements and Estimated Costs

The recommendation is that the Town continues the maintenance, repair and removal of the broken and lifted sections of sidewalks. The Council enforces the sidewalk ordinance. Repairing or replacement of existing sidewalks are priorities over new sidewalks.

The Town should also continue applying for grants to replace and expand the sidewalk system throughout Town. The Town should continue to map the existing sidewalks and prioritize the sections that need replaced, based on their current status, the location of public facilities and routinely used routes throughout Town (i.e.: through the business district on Central Avenue). The Town needs to ensure that all sidewalks throughout Cascade are ADA compliant. The Town may also consider creation of Special Improvement Districts (SID’s) to provide funds for sidewalks although this would create more expenses for the private homeowners.

Sidewalks, curb ramps system improvement costs are listed below in Table #5.

|Table #5 |

|Town of Cascade – Sidewalks, Curb Ramps System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Street | |Surface Type |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$220,200 |

VII. MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

A. Municipal Buildings Condition

The Town of Cascade owns the Town Hall, library and court room, which are combined in one building. There is also a Town maintenance shop, a fire station, Wedsworth Hall (community hall), a swimming pool house, cook house, two chlorination buildings, two pump houses and 2 lift station housings.

Every year the Town budgets for repair and maintenance to do upkeep to these buildings. The library outgrew itself, and an addition has been completed. The Friends of the Library Board raised funds and some donations (including a grant from PPL for computers) contributed. $1,500.00 was also given to the library by Northwestern Energy. In 2012, the asphalt roof was replaced with a metal one. Soffit, siding, drainage issues and other repairs were also taken care of. The Town and the Wedsworth Memorial Estate split the cost.

The Town has a Poolitis committee that does fund raising each year to raise money for the swimming pool. Previous projects completed by the Poolitis committee and the General Fund include replacement of water heaters and handicap remodeling of the locker rooms. In 2000, a project was completed, including installation of a kiddie pool and additional concrete decking. In 2006, a lean-to, providing a shaded area on the swimming pool deck, was built. In 2012, the roof on the swimming pool was replaced due to hail and high winds by the insurance company. In 2014, we extended the retaining wall on the northwest side of the pool. The same area of deck was also replaced, due to cracking. In 2016, new insulated pool covers and a new pump were purchased. Northwest Farm Credit Services donated $500 towards this in the name of their employee, Farrah McGregor. In 2016, Northwest Farm Credit Services awarded $1,000 Rural Community Grant, to be applied towards new heaters. In 2020, the pool edging was replaced with funding from Poolitis, CD’s, $1,500 from Town Pump, and $1,500 from Northwest Farm Credit Services. Mechanical and plumbing repairs were done along with this project.

*In 2013, the court room, located in Town Hall, was updated with new paint and flooring. *The Town office had ceilings lowered and new paint in 2014.

*In 2016, new flooring was installed in Town Hall and the judge’s office received new paint and flooring. The front windows were also replaced. The exterior was covered with rock and brick to match the library addition.

*In 2017, a new awning was installed. New entry doors were also added to Town Hall.

*In 2018, the Public Works office was updated.

The Wedsworth Hall was created by a memorial. It is used by the children of the community and is rented to others for events. There is a pasture lease that helps support the upkeep of this building.

*In 1998, there was a kitchen and boardroom built in the hall and the restrooms were remodeled.

* In 2001, gutters, soffit and fascia were installed.

*In 2003, the hall was painted and the ceiling received insulation and acoustics.

* A grant was awarded by DEQ in 2010 to replace the exterior of Wedsworth Hall with new dryvit. This provides energy efficiency.

*In 2014, the kitchen was repainted and new flooring installed by Canyon Life Church as a donation to the community with the estate providing the materials.

*In 2015, the roof was replaced.

*In 2020, the bathrooms in the basement of Wedsworth Hall were updated to be ADA compliant. A storage area addition was also built for the tables, chairs and carts. New flooring was installed in the board room and hallway between bathrooms.

In the past 15 years, the fire station has been painted, new heaters installed and the south side of the roof replaced. In 2017, new metal siding was installed and the north side of the roof was replaced with metal.

*In 2014, the large door was replaced and new openers installed.

*In 2015, two doors were replaced.

*The Town maintenance shop added a new restroom in 2015.

Other buildings are in good condition.

B. Recommended Municipal Buildings Improvements and Estimated Costs

The recommendation is that the Town continues to budget for maintenance and repair of the buildings. Continued maintenance will preserve the buildings longer.

Municipal buildings system improvement costs are list below in Table 6.

|Table #6 |

|Town of Cascade – Municipal Buildings System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Building |Maintenance | |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  | |$305,000 |

VIII. EQUIPMENT

A. Equipment Condition

Each year the Town looks at what equipment needs to be budgeted for. We look at what needs to be replaced or other equipment that is needed for the Town. Regular repair and maintenance are budgeted for every year.

This is equipment that has been purchased over the past years:

1990 – 1990 Chevrolet Fire Truck

1991 – 1990 Case Backhoe

2000 – Toro Z325 Lawn Mower

2001 – Water Meters and Pits (Water Project)

2002 – 1974 Walla Structure Fire Truck

2004 – Swimming Pool Blanket Cover

2007 – 2003 Chevrolet Truck 4WD ½ Ton

2013 – 2006 GMC Truck ¾ Ton

Compressor w/trailer

1972 International

2008 Trailer

2008 Honda Quad w/Plow

212 Caterpillar Grader

Guest 10’ Snow Plow

8’ Sewer Snake Trailer

12’ Trailer

(3) John Deere Mowers

290 Rodder

Honda Gx240 multiquip pump

408 LaFrance GenSet

2015 – Case Backhoe

2017 – Dodge Ram 2500 (FD)

2017 – Skid Steer w/Plow

2020 – Chevy Silverado 1/2t pickup

This equipment is in good condition but there is other equipment that the Town will need to replace in the future, such as the Fordson Tractor and the Public Works Truck.

B. Recommended Equipment Improvements and Estimated Costs

The recommendation is that the Town continues to budget for maintenance and repair of the equipment. Continued maintenance will preserve the equipment longer. It is also recommended that we budget for the replacement of out-dated equipment.

Equipment system improvement costs are listed below in Table #7.

|Table #7 |

|Town of Cascade – Equipment System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

| |Equipment |Maintenance | |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$139,000 |

IX. FIRE PROTECTION

A. Fire Protection Condition

The Town of Cascade’s volunteer firefighters apply for grants to purchase turn out gear, radios, trucks and various other equipment needed. They also hold a pancake supper event every year to help pay for expenses by the fire department.

The Town of Cascade budgets every year for the utility bills and for the upkeep of the fire department building where all of the equipment is housed. There is now an Interlocal Agreement with the Rural Fire Department to pay for part of the Worker’s Compensation and utility bills for the Fire Hall.

The Fire Chief and Cascade Rural F.D. received a grant from Firehouse Subs to purchase a flatbed, tank insert and light bar for the 2017 Dodge Ram truck.

All of the fire hydrants have been replaced with our water infrastructure improvements, with several new hydrants being added. We have replaced the concrete water storage tank at our Madison Well water system. In the event of failure, there will now be enough water for daily use, emergencies and fire suppression.

They hold two meetings per month. One is a business meeting and one is a training meeting. The firefighters are trained to fight fires and help in emergency responses as needed by the Town and the rural area around the Town.

B. Recommended Fire Protection Improvements and Estimated Costs

The recommendation is that the Town of Cascade’s volunteer firefighters continue their training, to write grants and have their fund raisers. It is also recommended that the Town of Cascade and the volunteer firefighters continue to budget for fire protection every year.

Fire protection system improvement costs are listed below in Table #8.

|Table #8 |

|Town of Cascade – Fire Protection System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Fire Protection | | |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$119,166 |

X. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE FURNITURE

A. Computer Equipment and Office Furniture Condition

The Town of Cascade budgeted for and purchased two new desktop computers in FY 2008 and FY2014. In 2017, a laptop was purchased for the Clerk-Treasurer to be able to work at meetings, home and conferences. A laptop was purchased for a GIS Software System grant in 2017. The computer equipment is budgeted about every three years or as needed. The computer software updates and maintenance are budgeted for annually and updated as needed.

The office furniture is purchased from the state surplus.

B. Recommended Computer Equipment and Office Furniture Improvements and Estimated Costs

The recommendation is that the Town continues to budget for and purchase computer equipment and software updates.

Equipment and office furniture system improvement costs are listed below in Table #9.

|Table #9 |

|Town of Cascade – Computer Equipment and Office Furniture |

|System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Computer/Fur| | |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

| |niture | | | | | |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$60,000 |

XI. CEMETERIES

A. Cemeteries Condition

The Hillside Cemetery is located on the Cascade-Simms Road about ½ mile west of Cascade.

The Town purchased the Hillside Cemetery in 1968. In 1999, land adjacent to the Hillside Cemetery was donated to the Town to enlarge the cemetery.

The Chesnut Valley Cemetery is located on the Chesnut Valley Road about 5 miles east of Cascade. It was donated in the 1980’s by the private ranchers of the community area.

The cemetery systems are adequate in location and size. They are maintained by the Public Works Department of the Town. It cleans, mows and plants trees at the cemeteries for beautification. Over the past few years there have also been signs installed with the rules and regulations of the cemeteries. A new water line for irrigation was installed in 2017.

We also have a Hillside Cemetery Committee that over the years has budgeted to install a sprinkler system, build a storage shed and build a kiosk to be able to display the mapping of the platted areas of the cemetery. A portable podium with sound system was also built by the committee for funeral services.

The Town has also planted numerous trees at Hillside Cemetery over the past ten years.

B. Recommended Cemetery Improvements and Expected Costs

It is recommended that the Town continue to maintain and clean the cemetery grounds.

The Chesnut Valley Cemetery will need a new road developed.

The Town would also like to see the Hillside Cemetery committee continue their good work in helping the Hillside Cemetery.

Cemeteries system improvement costs are listed below in Table #10.

|Table #10 |

|Town of Cascade – Cemeteries System Improvement Priorities |

|March 2021 |

|Priority |Cemetery |Maintenance | |FY 2021 |FY 2022 |FY 2023 |

|Grand Total |  |  |  |  |  |$78,000 |

SUMMARY

A. Summary of Recommendations

Although this CIP is a valuable tool for the Town of Cascade, it must be continually updated in order to represent current and changing conditions. For instance, the community’s growth must be reviewed and considered.

B. Priorities

The previous sections of this report outlined needed capital improvements for the Town’s entire system and prioritized improvements for each system. The Town Council reviewed the needed improvements and the following priorities for capital improvements are recommended for implementation:

| |

| |

| |

| |

|Overall Priority|Construction Date |Project Name |Project Cost |Funding Sources |

|Ranking | | | | |

|1 |FY 2021 |Water Main Looping from Water |$77,500 |Water Fund, RRGL, TSEP, |

| | |Street to Russell Drive to | |WRF |

| | |Central Ave. | | |

| |FY 2021 |Madison Wells Repairs |$40,000 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2021 |Add manhole on Russell Dr So |$7,800 |Sewer Fund |

| | |between lift station and Central| | |

| | |Ave. | | |

| |FY 2021 |(4) Service taps (sewer) between|$15,000 |Sewer Fund |

| | |2nd Ave N-2nd Ave S | | |

| |FY 2021 |Fence around NP playground |$6,000 |NP O&M Funds |

| |FY 2021 |TA grant writing |$5,000 |General Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Replacement Meters |$50,000 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2022 |WRF Loan Payment |$32,000 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Madison Pump Replacement |$40,000 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Tree Wind break at water system |$5,000 |Water Fund, DNRC grant |

| |FY 2022 |Cutout road, add garage doors to|$5,000 |Water Fund |

| | |abandoned concrete tank | | |

| |FY 2022 |Inspection/Repair of Madison |$100,000 |Water Fund |

| | |Well Pumps | | |

| |FY 2022 |SRF Loan Payment |$35,113 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2022 |TV Inspection/Jetting |$7,000 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Storm drain extension in alley |$5,000 |Sewer Fund |

| | |between Front St.& 1st St S | | |

| |FY 2022 |Fix storm drain issues between |$5,000 |Sewer Funds |

| | |pool and baseball field. Drain | | |

| | |under new sidewalk from pool to | | |

| | |bleachers | | |

| |FY 2022 |Rebuild Alleys |$20,000 |General Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Fence around B-Ball Court-No RR |$6,000 |General Fund/Grant |

| | |Park | | |

| |FY 2022 |Remove/Trim Trees |$49,080 |General Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Sprinkler System-Wedsworth Park |$5,000 |Wedsworth Fund |

| |FY 2022 |Parking spot for ADA access NP |$5,000 |NP O&M Funds |

| |FY 2022 |Add sidewalk from swimming pool |$5,200 |General Fund |

| | |to gazebo | | |

| |FY 2022 |Chemical Extractor F.D. |$9,000 |General Fund/Grants |

| |FY 2022 |Replacement Mower |$6,000 |General, Weds, Water, |

| | | | |Sewer Funds, Cemetery |

| | | | |Committee |

| |FY 2022 |Fire Truck Loan Payment |$4,583 | General Fund |

| |FY 2023 |WRF Loan Payment |$31,500 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2023 |Fence Individual Springs-Water |$15,000 |Water Fund |

| | |system | | |

| |FY 2023 |SRF Loan Payment |$34,563 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2023 |TV Inspection/Jetting |$7,000 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2023 |PER Update-Sewer |$30,000 |Sewer Fund/Grants |

| |FY 2023 |Curb/Gutter 3rd Ave No from |$90,000 |Sewer Fund |

| | |Front St to 4th St No | | |

| | |(w/sidewalks) | | |

| |FY 2023 |Curb/Gutter Central Ave (no |$11,250 |Sewer Fund |

| | |side)from 1st St to alley before| | |

| | |2nd St (w/sidewalk repair) | | |

| |FY 2023 |Curb/Gutter Central Ave (so |$22,500 |Sewer Fund |

| | |side)from 1st St to 2nd St | | |

| | |(w/sidewalk repair) | | |

| |FY 2023 |Curb/Gutter Weds Hall to 1st Ave|$11,250 |Sewer Fund |

| | |So | | |

| |FY 2023 |Rebuild Alleys |$20,000 |General Fund |

| |FY 2023 |Atkinson Park Fall Zones |$27,000 |General Fund/Grants |

| |FY 2023 |Atkinson Park Playground |$40,000 |General Fund/Grants |

| | |Equipment | | |

| |FY 2023 |Remove Ash Trees |$20,000 |General Fund/ DNRC Grant |

| |FY 2023 |Repair Sidewalks on Front St |$40,000 |General Fund/TA Grant |

| | |from Wedsworth Hall to 2nd Ave | | |

| | |So | | |

| |FY 2023 |New Sidewalks on 3rd Ave No from|$70,000 |General Fund/TA Grant |

| | |Front St to 4th St No (pool) | | |

| |FY 2023 |Repair sidewalk on Central Ave. |$10,000 |General Fund/TA Grant |

| | |from 1st St. to alley (N side) | | |

| |FY 2023 |Repair Sidewalks on Central Ave |$34,000 |General Fund/TA Grant |

| | |(So side) from 1st St to 3rd St | | |

| |FY 2023 |Sidewalk from gazebo to |$10,000 |General Fund/LWCF Grant |

| | |bathrooms (Atkinson) | | |

| |FY 2023 |New sidewalk from pool to ball |$10,000 |General Fund/Grants |

| | |field W/ADA pad | | |

| |FY 2023 |Make (1) ADA restroom from (2) |$25,000 |General Fund/Grants |

| | |existing at Fire Hall | | |

| |FY 2023 |Make shower area ADA accessible |$5,000 |Wedsworth Fund |

| | |at Weds Hall | | |

| |FY 2023 |Replacement Grader |$30,000 |General/Gas Tax Funds |

| |FY 2023 |Fire Truck Loan pymt |$4,583 |General Fund |

| |FY 2023 |Computer Replace |$5,000 |General, Weds, Water, |

| | | | |Sewer Funds |

| |FY 2023 |Repair Inside of Large Pool |$50,000 |General Fund, Fundraisers,|

| | | | |Donations, LWCF grant |

| |FY 2024 |WRF Loan Payment |$31,000 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2024 |Codify Ordinances |$9,000 |General, Water, Sewer |

| | | | |Funds |

| |FY 2024 |SRF Loan Payment |$34,013 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2024 |TV-Jet Sewer Lines |$7,000 |Sewer Funds |

| |FY 2024 |Curb/Gutter 3rd Ave So from 3rd |$22,500 |Sewer Funds |

| | |St to 4th St (w/new sidewalk) | | |

| |FY 2024 |Dog Park at No RR Park |$7,500 |General Fund/Grant |

| |FY 2024 |Sprinkler system at Both RR |$20,000 |General Fund |

| | |Parks | | |

| |FY 2024 |Fall zone on south end of North |$9,000 |General Fund, Grants |

| | |RR park | | |

| |FY 2024 |Playground equipment on south |$10,000 |General Fund, Grants |

| | |end of North RR park | | |

| |FY 2024 |New sidewalk on 3rd Ave So from |$18,000 |General Fund/Grant |

| | |3rd St to 4th St | | |

| |FY 2024 |New sidewalk on 1st Ave No from |$18,000 |General Fund |

| | |Front St-1st Street | | |

| |FY 2024 |Water Tender Truck |$15,000 |General, Water, Sewer |

| | | | |Funds |

| |FY 2024 |Replace PW Asst Service Truck |$17,000 |General, Water, Sewer, |

| | | | |Weds Funds |

| |FY 2024 |Mower Replacement |$6,000 |General, Weds, Water, |

| | | | |Sewer Funds, Cemetery Comm|

| |FY 2025 |WRF Loan Payment |$31,500 |Water Fund |

| |FY 2025 |Water Main Extend from Russell |$170,000 |Water Fund |

| | |Dr to North Park | | |

| |FY 2025 |2” line at NP for non-potable |$20,000 |NP O&M Funds |

| | |irrigation | | |

| |FY 2025 |SRF Loan Payment |$34,463 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2025 |TV-Jet Sewer Lines |$7,000 |Sewer Fund |

| |FY 2025 |Sewer Grant Writing (FY 26 |$15,000 |Sewer Fund |

| | |project) | | |

| |FY 2025 |Sewer main replace in alley |$137,500 |Sewer Fund, RRGL, TSEP, |

| | |between Front St and 1st St from| |SRF Loans |

| | |2nd Ave S to Central Ave | | |

| | |(rebuild alley) | | |

| |FY 2025 |Main replacement in alley |$137,500 |Sewer Fund, RRGL, TSEP, |

| | |between Front St and 1st St from| |SRF Loans |

| | |Central Ave to 3rd Ave N | | |

| | |(rebuild alley) | | |

| |FY 2025 |Storm drain curb/gutter 3rd St |$45,000 |Sewer Fund, RRGL, TSEP, |

| | |S-2nd Ave So to 4th Ave So | |SRF Loans |

| |FY 2025 |Storm drain curb/gutter 2nd St S|$45,000 |Sewer Fund, RRGL, TSEP, |

| | |from 2nd Ave S to 4th Ave S | |SRF Loans |

| |FY 2025 |Curb/Gutter 1st Ave No from |$67,500 |Sewer Fund |

| | |Front St to 3rd St (w/sidewalk) | | |

| |FY 2025 |Chip seal prep for south streets|$60,000 |General Fund, Gas Tax, |

| | | | |BaRSAA |

| |FY 2025 |Asphalt 5th St. No |$35,000 |General Fund, Gas Tax, |

| | | | |BaRSAA |

| |FY 2025 |Install ADA lift system from gym|$25,000 |Wedsworth Fund |

| | |to basement | | |

| |FY 2025 |Bucket Truck |$20,000 |General Fund, Grant |

| |Future |Grant Writing Water PER update |$30,000 |RRGL, TSEP, Water Fund |

| |Future |WRF Loan |$629,272 |Water Fund |

| |Future |SRF Loan |$534,410 |Sewer Fund |

| |Future |Tanker to transfer sewer in |$10,000 |General, Sewer Funds |

| | |emergency | | |

| |Future |Jet Vac Truck |$145,000 |Sewer Fund, Loan |

| |Future |TV-Jet Sewer Lines |$7,000 |Sewer Fund |

| |Future |Chip seal south streets |$150,000 |General Fund, Gas tax, |

| | | | |BaRSAA |

| |Future |Chip seal prep north streets |$60,000 |General Fund, Gas tax, |

| | | | |BaRSAA |

| |Future |Chip seal north streets |$150,000 |General Fund, Gas tax, |

| | | | |BaRSAA |

| |Future |Pave Russell Drive from 2nd Ave |$300,000 |General Fund, Gas tax, |

| | |N to 2nd Ave S | |BaRSAA |

| |Future |Pool Building to ADA compliance |$125,000 |General Fund, fundraising,|

| | | | |donations |

| |Future |Redo gym floor at Weds Hall |$45,000 |Wedsworth Fund |

| |Future |Mower Replacement |$6,000 |General, Weds, Water, |

| | | | |Sewer Funds, Cemetery Comm|

| |Future |Computer Replace |$5,000 |General, Weds, Water, |

| | | | |Sewer Funds |

Table 11 summarizes the 5-year & future CIP for the Town of Cascade. It does not include annual maintenance costs.

C. Maintenance Program

Water System

An operation and maintenance manual was prepared for the Town’s water system as part of the 2014 water system improvements project. The operation and maintenance plan details all required and recommended maintenance data for the system as well as parts lists and water system product information. The GIS system will be continuously updated with improvements.

Wastewater System

An operation and maintenance manual was prepared for the Town’s wastewater system as part of the 1998 wastewater system improvements project. The operation and maintenance plan details all required and recommended maintenance data for the system as well as parts lists and wastewater system product information. The GIS system will be continuously updated with improvements.

Street and Drainage

Street maintenance is a key element in maintaining a road surface for the design life of the street. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can decrease the life of a street and increase the overall life-cycle cost of the street. Conversely, proper maintenance can increase the design life of the streets with lower associated life-cycle costs for maintenance. Ordinances are being updated to include chip seal with all paving. Streets will eventually be added to the GIS mapping system.

Parks, Trails & Recreation

Park and trail maintenance are important elements in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the community. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can lead to overgrown areas of noxious weeds and garbage, broken fences, fallen and dead trees, and broken and unrepaired trails. Proper maintenance can increase the beauty of the parks and trails and lower life-cycle costs for maintenance. The GIS system will be continuously updated with improvements.

Sidewalks, Curb Ramps

Repair and maintenance are a high priority to keep sidewalks level. Removing of broken and damaged sidewalks and curbs is also a priority. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance could lead to bodily injury to the public. Repair and maintenance will decrease the chances of bodily injury and continue to have walking paths for the public. Grant writing and ordinance enforcement to replace and repair is key. Ordinances are being updated to require curb and gutter with all new sidewalks. Sidewalks will eventually be added to the GIS mapping system.

Municipal Buildings

Continued repair and maintenance to the buildings is a key element in maintaining the life of the buildings. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can decrease the life of the building and increase the overall life-cycle costs of the buildings. Proper maintenance can increase the life of the buildings and decrease the life cycle costs for maintenance. Buildings will eventually be added to the GIS mapping system.

Equipment

It is important to repair and maintain the equipment on a scheduled bases to maintain the life of the equipment. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can decrease the life of the equipment and increase the overall life-cycle cost of the equipment. Continued proper maintenance causes fewer repairs in the future and lowers the life-cycle costs for repairs and replacement.

Fire Protection

Proper care and maintenance of the fire protection equipment will increase the life of the equipment and will be in excellent condition at the time needed for fighting fires and emergency calls. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can decrease the life of the equipment. Proper care and maintenance can increase the change of life and lower life-cycle costs for maintenance and replacement.

Computer, Equipment and Office Furniture

Continual maintenance and upkeep, keeps your office running smoothly. Inadequate repair can decrease the life of your computers and furniture. Proper maintenance can increase the life of the equipment and furniture with lower life-cycle costs for maintenance.

Cemeteries

Cemetery maintenance is a key element in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the community. Infrequent or inadequate maintenance can lead to overgrown areas of noxious weeds and garbage, broken fences, fallen or dead trees and fallen headstones. Proper maintenance increases the beauty of the cemeteries and lowers the life-cycle costs for maintenance and repairs. The cemeteries will eventually be added to the GIS mapping system.

The Town should continue with its existing maintenance plans.

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