Washington Park approves grant project fund for RCCP Phase 3 living shoreline engineering

Washington Park commissioners on Feb. 3 approved an ordinance to establish a Grant Project Fund for the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) Phase 3 living shoreline engineering and design.

Clerk April Alligood told the board that consultants from RK&K have taken drone photos of the town shoreline and will perform a survey. Alligood said the work is paid up front and reimbursed later; the town received and paid a $2,465 invoice from the Mid East Commission for administrative work and has submitted that invoice for reimbursement.

Mayor pro tem Jeff Peacock moved to approve the grant project ordinance and Commissioner Lee Bowen seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote of those present.

Alligood also updated the board on other grant matters: staff reported that the contractor on the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap (CAWAG) wastewater analysis has received a stop‑work order and that work on that grant is on hold. The Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities (BRIC) stormwater action plan application timeline is moving: the town expects eligibility notification around Feb. 5, an application due Feb. 21, another notification in March and a final application currently due April 9, though those dates may change. The BRIC request would total $393,750 and requires a 25% local match (approximately $98,500).

The board did not amend the ordinance language at the meeting; members said they will continue to coordinate with RK&K and the Mid East Commission on survey results and grant reimbursement procedures.

The ordinance vote was one of several motions approved during the meeting; commissioners also acted on routine financial items and personnel matters.