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Sanford approves design work for marina dredging; FEMA approved partial funding
Summary
The commission authorized design and permitting work for downtown marina dredging and dock replacement and said FEMA has approved $6.4 million toward dredging; city will proceed while pursuing reimbursement and other funding.
The Sanford City Commission approved a procurement on Sept. 22 to design dredging and dock replacement work at the Sanford Downtown Marina and discussed partial FEMA approval for construction reimbursement.
City staff requested approval to award $1,312,057 to Veil Schafer Incorporated for 100% dredging design and permitting and 100% dock replacement design and permitting for the downtown marina. Mayor Art Woodruff and staff said the city has been working with FEMA for nearly three years and that FEMA has approved $6.4 million toward dredging costs; other elements remain under appeal to FEMA.
"We fully believe that this is deserving of full reimbursement," the mayor said, and staff explained that the city maintains reserves to proceed if FEMA does not ultimately reimburse the full amount. Officials also said they are pursuing state appropriations for improvement elements that FEMA may not fund and have engaged consultants to support the FEMA appeal process.
Staff cautioned that design and permitting could take a year or more because of the number of permitting agencies involved. The commission approved the procurement and authorized staff to proceed with design and permitting while continuing appeals and outreach to federal and state partners for reimbursement.
The action does not itself obligate construction funding beyond design; staff said reserves stand ready to pay for work if reimbursement is delayed or denied.
