4. Recommendations for the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

One of the components of the Draft Plan is a Capital Improvement Plan which identifies needed capital improvements for stormwater runoff (conveyance pipes, stormwater detention and treatment, habitat improvements, and removal of fish migration barriers). A capital improvement is the addition of a permanent structural change or the restoration of some aspect of a property that will either enhance the property's overall value, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses.

A CIP is a tool that can be used by a municipality to prioritize which stormwater maintenance or capital projects should be funded next when funds become available. At a minimum, a CIP should include:

• A list of proposed projects prioritized according to a city-approved ranking system
• A description of each proposed project
• A description of the problem(s) each proposed project addresses
• Estimated total costs to design, permit, and construct each project

The stormwater CIP in the Draft Plan is unique to Bellingham and addresses the City's specific needs and priorities. The ranking system in a CIP is customized to Bellingham and is meant to be a “living document” that the City can update as projects are completed and new ones are added or to address emergent problems or issues as they arise.