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Commission authorizes joint utility-engineering grant applications and recommends Ohio EPA loan reauthorization for wastewater plant rehab
Summary
The commission gave staff permission to pursue grants jointly with engineering for the wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation and recommended city council reauthorize an Ohio EPA loan/grant application for a major rehabilitation and phosphorus treatment project.
On Jan. 9 the Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to allow engineering and utilities to pursue grant opportunities for the wastewater treatment plant major rehabilitation project and voted to recommend that city council reauthorize a loan/grant application to the Ohio EPA.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a motion — amended on the floor to specify a joint application effort between utility staff and engineering — allowing staff and consultants to research and submit grant applications. Arcadis, the commission’s engineering partner, was described as available to assist; staff noted that some grant programs require an endorsement from city council and that staff would take those specific grants to council when required.
In a related vote, the commission recommended that city council provide new authorizing legislation to support the city’s pre-application for an Ohio EPA loan/grant combination for the wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation and phosphorus treatment. Staff said the Ohio EPA requested updated council authorization because of council turnover and requested the authorization by February to keep the pre-application on schedule. Staff and Arcadis plan to brief council and arrange tours so council members can see the facility before readings.
Project background provided in the meeting: the plant requires upgrades to meet new phosphorus standards and related end-of-life replacements; staff said many components were last upgraded around 2003 and are nearing the end of their service life. The work could involve a mix of loan and small grant funding; staff said a CMAR advertisement is being held pending further coordination with EPA and council.
Both motions (permission to apply for grants as a joint utilities-engineering submission, and the recommendation for Ohio EPA loan authorization) passed on unanimous roll-call votes. Staff said they will return with further grant-specific guidance and any council-required endorsements.
