Marcus Carnegie, right, project manager with the Thrasher Group, discusses the master plan for Spencer’s Landing drafted by the company as Vienna City Council members Tami Rhodes, left, and Henry Sasyn listen during Thursday’s council meeting. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

VIENNA – Vienna City Council on Thursday approved a master plan for an estimated $15.5 million in improvements and additions to Spencer’s Landing and adopted the proposed 2025-26 municipal budget.

The master plan developed by the Thrasher Group after online surveys and in-person feedback from the community was unanimously accepted by the council during its regular meeting at the city building.

“It really is a beautiful thing to see this come together,” Councilman Tony Morrison said.

Elements of design

The Thrasher Group took the proposal out of two options that had the most support at a Feb. 18 meeting at the Community Building in Jackson Memorial Park and made adjustments based on input from those in attendance, said Marcus Carnegie, project manager with Thrasher. That included moving a proposed playground from the south end of the property to between the large parking area and proposed multi-use space and stage and making the walking track a half-mile loop along the outer edge rather than consisting of smaller loops. There are also numerous restrooms, an amenity requested by more than 900 respondents to the survey, Carnegie said.

Vienna Fire Chief Steve Scholl, left, poses for a photo with Councilman Harry Deitzler after Thursday’s meeting, during which Deitzler presented the chief with a $6,000 check from his foundation to support the department’s annual ice cream social. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The multi-use space is proposed to feature a geotextile fabric tent, under which events like craft shows and farmer’s markets could be held while allowing an unobstructed view of the stage area. There would also be a kayak launch, fishing pier and courtesy dock along the Ohio River, as well as picnic shelters and a grassy area that could be used for seating for stage events or space for the rodeo featured in recent years at the Freedom Festival, Carnegie said.

Price and funding

The $15.5 million estimate breaks down to $7.8 million for the mixed-use venue; $2.8 million for the river access; $2.8 million for general improvements like utilities, the walking trail, restrooms and shelters; and $2.2 million for the playground.

Carnegie acknowledged the playground figure might surprise some people, but he said there was a chance to make it a feature with accessible safe surfaces and equipment to appeal to a variety of ages.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to do things that are unique,” he said.

The plan includes suggestions of potential funding sources, like government grants that may require some level of matching funds and corporate and private grants.

Councilman Henry Sasyn asked if the estimates included adjustments for prices increasing over time. Carnegie said it did not, but added the traditional estimate has been 2% to 3% for year although that has changed recently.

Councilman Harry Deitzler said they took on a major project in a similar manner when he served on Charleston City Council.

“We take it one step at a time, and it can be done,” he said.

Morrison asked if adjustments could be made, and Carnegie said they could since no engineering had been done.

“What you’re approving is a plan to go out, obtain funding, see what you can actually get money for,” City Attorney Russ Skogstad said. “You’re not adopting a $15.5 million project. You’re not married to this forever.”

City budget

The approximately $12 million municipal budget passed on a 6-1 vote, with Sasyn opposed.

Finance Director Amy Roberts said the city was able to keep its insurance costs relatively flat by changing the deductible for health reimbursement arrangements. Before that, they’d been facing a 9.9% increase in costs to maintain the same type of coverage.

Sasyn asked if in the future council could get more information and have more input on the type of plan offered. Mayor Chad Emrick said Recorder Rod Smith, Roberts, himself and other city officials reviewed the options and the plan selected safeguarded the city’s finances and the integrity of the plan offered to employees.

During the public forum portion of the meeting, Sasyn expressed concern over the city and region’s “flat-to-declining” population and increasing fixed costs while revenue remained “pretty much flat.” He showed a model he’d made to project the impact of certain scenarios on city finances and said the city needs to determine its “goals and objectives.”

Following him in the forum, Deitzler said “speaking as a citizen, I do not think that cities should be run based upon numbers.”

He then pointed out legal challenges and other issues raised against Sasyn’s employer, Momentum Performance Materials, both locally and in other parts of the country.

After the meeting, Sasyn called Deitzler’s remarks “a potshot.”

Morrison said the city needs to “start thinking about creating a new revenue stream.”

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.