Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ravena board seeks $7.5 million for water plant upgrades, sets CDBG do‑over hearing
Summary
Ravena Village trustees authorized staff to pursue state water infrastructure funding and scheduled a new CDBG public hearing after a clerical omission; the board also approved a retainer amendment for planning counsel and accepted a $15,000 county parks grant.
Ravena Village trustees voted Aug. 19 to pursue state financing and grant funding for a multi‑phase water system upgrade with an estimated probable cost of about $7,500,000 and scheduled a second public hearing required for a Community Development Block Grant application after a clerical omission in the published notice.
The actions come as village officials reported more than $5 million in building activity year‑to‑date and ongoing water restrictions tied to a sedimentation basin project at the village treatment plant. The board also approved an amendment to its retainer arrangement with municipal counsel for planning and zoning matters and accepted a $15,000 parks and playground grant from the Albany County Legislature.
The board authorized the village to prepare and submit applications to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), including the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) funding programs, for “water system improvements — phase 2,” covering the treatment plant and the raw water pump station on Moxley Street. A preliminary engineering report submitted by the village’s engineering consultant estimates probable construction costs at approximately $7,500,000.
“The motion we accept that,” the board recorded before members responded in the affirmative. The board also voted to authorize the mayor to execute any documents necessary to accept loan or grant funding should an award be made.
Separately, trustees said a published public‑hearing notice for a joint CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) application with the town omitted the public hearing time in the printed notice, requiring the village to hold a new notice and hearing to meet program requirements under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and related New York State CDBG rules. The board authorized the village clerk to publish a corrected notice; the hearing was scheduled for Sept. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at village hall. Village officials said the CDBG application would target lift‑station and main‑line improvements in the Queenmans area and that, if awarded, the grant would not impose a direct financial obligation on the village.
The board also approved an addendum to the village’s retainer with municipal counsel Young/Sommer LLC so the firm will be retained in a way that better matches actual planning and zoning workloads; the change keeps the overall retainer level the same for the year but allows the village to renegotiate if the retainer is underused. Trustees voted to authorize the mayor to sign the amendment.
Other business included a building department report that showed 56 permits issued to date this year and more than $5 million in reported construction value, including many sheds, roof repairs and fences. The board noted the planning and zoning board will meet Aug. 25; one upcoming variance request was mentioned for a new garage and attached shed at 79 Main Street, a parcel described as near the electrical substation and the Thruway.
Trustees accepted a $15,000 Albany County parks and playgrounds grant awarded to the village for 2025 and approved audited vouchers totaling $90,881.99 for abstract 3‑2‑25 (vouchers 3‑40 through 3‑62). Village staff reminded residents that the sedimentation basin work requires ongoing watering restrictions and asked that hand watering be limited to mornings and evenings.
The board also discussed community events: officials reviewed logistics for the upcoming Friendship Festival (parade stepping off near Peter B. School, family activities, vendors, live music and fireworks at dusk) and noted safety plans with county and state police for crowd control and playground closures at dusk during fireworks.
The board recorded motions and votes on the retainer amendment, the corrected CDBG hearing notice, authorization to pursue EFC funding, and payment of audited bills. No roll‑call vote with individual member names and votes was read into the record; the minutes reflect affirmative votes for each motion.
