Wi-Fi for the Washington waterfront and improvements around and near the caboose next to the Peterson Building are included in the city’s capital-improvements plan.

Washington’s City Council reviewed that plan during its meeting Monday, but made no funding decisions regarding the plan. That comes during upcoming council budget work sessions.

The city’s capital-improvements plan — a detailed report on major building projects and significant equipment purchases scheduled for the next several years — is used to help develop the city’s future budgets. Currently, the council is developing the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget.

The city has adopted a pay-as-you-go plan when it comes to major capital expenditures, proceeding with CIP projects when the money is there, sometimes splitting a project into phases funded over several years. The council assigns priorities to CIP projects to determine when they will be funded, or if they are funded.

Councilman William Pitt asked David Carraway, the city’s information-technology director, about any plans for the city installing Wi-Fi to serve the waterfront area.

“As you know, we have (requested funding) the last several years, and each year the council has elected to remove it. … We will be looking to add Wi-Fi to the dockmaster’s office from the Peterson Building,” Carraway said.

“Thank you. I’m hoping that desire will happen this year,” Pitt replied.

The CIP earmarks $20,000 for that project during fiscal year 2017-2018.

Councilman Doug Mercer questioned the CIP calling for the city to spend $50,000 in each of the next two fiscal years on “caboose” improvements when Washington Underground Railroad Museum supporters agreed to take on that responsibility. “If that’s the case, why are we putting 50 grand in the budget for it?” he said.

City Manager Bobby Roberson said the CIP’s reference to the project as “caboose” improvements is incorrect. The improvements would be to the area around the caboose and Civic Center, the triangle area next to Sloan Insurance and the area where the former dockmaster’s office was located — the intersection of Stewart Parkway, West Main Street and Gladden Street.

“Basically, what we’re trying to do … is improvement the entrance to the business district,” Roberson said.

The city also has plans to repaint the blue railings that are part of the waterfront promenade, Roberson said.

“Is that a multi-year project as well?” asked Pitt.

“We’re going to see how much we can get done for $30,000,” Roberson said.

Capital expenditures of $20,000 or more must be included in the CIP before funding is allocated in budget, according to city policy. In case of emergencies, sometimes that policy is waived. The plan addresses major expenditures such as new vehicles, stormwater (drainage) projects, water and sewer projects and computer hardware and software upgrades or replacements. The council decides which proposed projects receiving funding, whether a project will be completed in phases and when a project begins.