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Vinita council authorizes $600,000 CDBG wastewater grant application, pledges $250,000 local match
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to submit a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant application to upgrade Vinita’s wastewater plant, including new headworks screening and stormwater-basin work; council approved related resolutions and pledged a $250,000 city match if the grant is awarded.
Vinita — The Vinita City Council on April 21 authorized the mayor to sign and submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application seeking $600,000 to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant, council members and the city’s grant adviser said.
Ethan Binham of Grand Gateway, who led a public hearing earlier in the evening, told the council the project would fund improvements to the wastewater treatment plant’s stormwater basin and headworks screening. “The grant is $600,000 and this project will require $250,000 in matching funds from the city to be committed if the project is awarded,” Binham said, noting the city can pursue additional grants to cover matching costs if possible.
The council voted to authorize the mayor to sign and submit all documents related to the 2026 CDBG wastewater application, then adopted Application Resolution No. 3886 and a Fair Housing resolution (No. 3887) required for federally funded projects. The council also approved a separate assurance of matching funds resolution and a package of application documents and disclosures, including a citizen participation plan, anti-displacement plan and HUD 2880 disclosure form.
Mr. Smith, the city’s utility superintendent, told the council the plant’s headworks are not operating as intended and staff originally estimated repairs at about $400,000; more recent estimates are closer to $800,000. “It’s one of those things we don’t have a choice,” he said, adding that the $250,000 match is budgeted in the current fiscal year and that staff have attempted interim repairs.
Why it matters: The project targets equipment failures that Mr. Smith said are damaging the wastewater plant and creating recurring operational problems. If the grant is awarded, the city would be liable for the pledged $250,000 match; Binham said Grand Gateway can assist the city in pursuing other funding to reduce the local share.
Council members moved the package through separate motions so that the formal application, the legal resolution and the funding assurance were recorded individually. Each motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Next steps: With council approval, staff will submit the application and associated documents. If the state awards the CDBG funds, the council will be required to commit the $250,000 match and return to the council for implementation approvals and any contract awards.
