Albany County seeks public hearings and accepts $25M bipartisan infrastructure grant for $65M sludge processing project; $25M in 0% financing also sought
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Summary
Albany County approved public hearings and accepted a $25 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant for a $65 million sludge processing improvement project, and staff said they are seeking an additional $25 million in 0% financing through the Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Albany County legislators approved requests to move several Water Purification District capital projects to public hearing and accepted a $25 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant toward a $65 million sludge processing improvement project. County staff also said they are pursuing an additional $25 million in 0% financing from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and that remaining borrowing would be at a subsidized rate.
Executive Director Gaudio explained that the county had previously included the projects in its capital program but that EFC attorneys reviewing the county’s financing application advised that the projects need independent public hearings under state law. Gaudio said the largest project is the sludge processing improvement project with an estimated total cost of $65 million; the county has earmarked $25 million in bipartisan infrastructure law grant funds and is seeking $25 million in 0% EFC financing, with the balance to be financed at a subsidized rate (about half the market rate), contingent on EFC approval.
Gaudio said the public hearing(s) would help satisfy EFC’s legal review and expedite the financing process; the transcript records a public hearing date of Aug. 26 (as stated in staff remarks). He said EFC consolidated North and South plant treatment processing improvements, so the county may be able to consolidate hearings accordingly.
A legislator asked whether the work will address odor complaints; Gaudio said the sludge processing project includes a new mixing system and funding for an odor-control system. He said the county is testing a chemical-addition pilot for odor control that has not yet met expectations, and that design work for the project is underway.
Legislators moved and approved the request to hold public hearings and accepted the $25 million grant and the pursuit of hardship (0%) financing through EFC. Staff said some EFC attorneys requested separate hearings because the district is a special district under New York State Consolidated Laws, Article 5-A, and they pointed to section 268 in their interpretation.
