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Sanford awards engineering contract and approves $5 million-plus financing steps for Third Street sewer rehabilitation
Summary
The Sanford City Council awarded an engineering contract to Withers Ravenel for the Third Street sewer rehabilitation, approved a reimbursement resolution and budget amendments tied to a $514,198 grant and a $4,514,000 SRF loan (with $2,000,000 described as forgivable) needed to move the project forward.
Sanford City Council voted Dec. 17 to award the engineering contract for the Third Street area sewer rehabilitation and to approve related financial steps to advance design and construction. The council approved the contract award to Withers Ravenel, adopted a reimbursement resolution to cover upfront project costs pending debt approval, and amended the FY 2024–25 budget to move operating funds into the capital project.
City staff presented a financial overview noting an award letter that includes a $514,198 grant and a $4,514,000 loan, with $2,000,000 of the loan described in the presentation as forgivable; staff said the loan is through an SRF program and will require approval by the Local Government Commission. Staff also proposed transferring $223,552 from operating to capital and reported a $737,750 total identified for the engineering contract.
"This project is a key component of the city of Sanford's ongoing initiative to upgrade its aging sewer infrastructure," staff member Mary DePena said, describing the project as involving the rehabilitation and replacement of approximately "75,100 linear feet" of deteriorating 6- to 12-inch gravity sewer lines and associated manholes. DePena said the city received three letters of interest and recommended Withers Ravenel based on experience, project understanding and specific experience navigating CDBG requirements.
Council members asked how Withers Ravenel compared with other firms. DePena said the selection scoring matrix showed closely scored submittals but that Withers Ravenel's CDBG experience "stood out compared to the rest." A voice vote approved the contract award and the companion financial measures.
Next steps identified by staff include pursuing LGC approval for the SRF loan and moving forward with design and bidding under the awarded engineering contract. The reimbursement resolution allows the city to advance project costs and later reimburse itself when debt is authorized.
