Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve sewer‑use ordinance amendments and authorize $2.15M guaranteed maximum price for St. James water improvements
Summary
The board approved amendments to the county sewer‑use ordinance that clarify connection rules and exceptions, and authorized a contract price amendment establishing a $2,153,500 guaranteed maximum price for water improvements to increase pressure and connectivity around St. James.
The Board of Commissioners approved changes to the county sewer‑use ordinance and authorized a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract amendment for water‑system improvements serving the St. James area.
Sewer‑use ordinance: Staff proposed changes clarifying which structures must or may connect to existing sewer mains and expanding the definition of structures required to consider connection to duplexes and other multi‑family units. The amendment introduced exceptions and director discretion for connections beyond specified distances, and clarified when low‑pressure systems and gravity connections are acceptable. Commissioners held a public hearing on the changes and approved the ordinance amendments.
St. James water project: The board also approved contract price amendment No. 1 under the county’s progressive design‑build agreement with State Utility Contractors (teamed with CDM Smith) and established a GMP of $2,153,500 for Phase 1 work. The GMP covers connecting a gap in the Route 211 waterline and interconnections within the St. James development to improve flow and pressure; the board deferred a Middleton Road extension component pending easement and permitting clarity.
Nut graf: The combined actions are intended to clarify sewer-connection policy and to complete near‑term water infrastructure work that county staff and St. James officials said will materially increase water pressure and reliability in the area while the remaining project elements are resolved.
Commissioners noted St. James contributed funding toward the project (county staff confirmed $1.9 million in ARPA funding contributions from the development). The contract amendment is part of a progressive design‑build delivery the board approved previously; staff said the design phase is complete for the work covered by the GMP and construction would proceed once contract documents are executed.
Ending: County staff said they will move forward with construction under the GMP and continue outreach to resolve easement issues for the remaining line extension work; the board approved both measures in separate votes.
