Council holds public hearing on $750,000 EPA community project grant for wastewater plant upgrades

The Richmond City Council on Feb. 17 opened and closed a public hearing to receive comments on a proposed $750,000 Environmental Protection Agency Congressional Community Project Fund award to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Staff member Jim described the work as replacing the raw sewage pumps “at the beginning of the treatment train” and installing a sludge dewatering screw press at the end of the treatment process. “The funding that’s been allocated to the city that we’re working on formally awarding…is for $750,000 and the city is required to provide some matching funds,” Jim said. He estimated the total project budget at about $1,300,000.

The council did not receive substantive public opposition during the hearing. After taking public comment, a council member moved to close the public hearing; the motion carried and the hearing was closed.

The staff presentation said the grant covers pump replacements and a screw press used in sludge dewatering and disposal. Jim said the grant was submitted through Representative Lisa McClain’s office. He did not give a detailed breakdown of the anticipated city match beyond saying the city expects to provide more than the minimum required match.

Council members did not take a final funding award or contract action during the hearing; the session was a public comment step in the grant-award process. Any future motions to accept or obligate funding, or to award contracts for the work described, would appear on a later council agenda with specific contract amounts and funding sources.

Background: The hearing was part of the council’s regular meeting and was described by staff as the formal public-comment step related to the Congressional Community Project Funds request for the sewer project.