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Council approves lobby contract to seek federal funding for sewer separation and park restrooms
Summary
Council authorized retaining LNE Group to lobby for federal inclusion of the city's manhole separation project and restroom/electrical upgrades at Walter Stinson Community Park; mayor cited prior earmark delays and said deadlines required quick action.
Council approved a contract with LNE Group to pursue federal funding for two priority infrastructure projects: the manhole separation project (which already has $700,000 in state money) and restroom and electrical upgrades at Walter Stinson Community Park.
Mayor Michael Brennan said previous congressional earmark timing removed Fiscal Year 2025 opportunities and urged rapid action to re-engage Representative Chantal Brown and the U.S. Senate delegation. The mayor said the restroom project scope has expanded from an early estimate (previously discussed at under $90,000) to about $305,000 because the plan now adds additional year-round restrooms and electrical upgrades to supply power to the gazebo and avoid portable generators at events. "We are doubling the number of restrooms from two to either four or five, as well as doing an upgrade to the electric at the gazebo," the mayor said.
Finance Director Dennis Kennedy confirmed budget authority of roughly $23,000 in this year’s account to support contracting. Council voted unanimously to approve LNE's contract and authorized immediate work to meet near-term federal submission deadlines.
