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Independence council hears Lead & Copper funding update, must reschedule VRA bond hearing; AEP variance cleared zoning board
Summary
Town Manager Laura Ratcliffe told the council that paperwork for the Lead & Copper project has been submitted and that funding should arrive within about a month; the previously scheduled Oct. 1 VRA bond hearing for a sewer I&I funding increase was canceled due to Hurricane Helene and must be rescheduled. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved AEP’s variance and the 30-day appeal window closed in mid-September.
Town Manager Laura Ratcliffe told the Independence Town Council on Sept. 10 that “paperwork for the Lead & Copper project are submitted. Funding should start coming in within the next month.” The filing, she said, follows site reviews and contractor data collection tied to the town’s water-system lead assessment.
Ratcliffe also said the VRA bond funding public hearing originally scheduled for Oct. 1 was canceled because of Hurricane Helene and will need to be rescheduled so the council can consider an increased borrowing amount for the Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) project. She said staff expects to set a new public-hearing date and follow with a special council meeting to act on bonding if required.
On related infrastructure permitting, Ratcliffe reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals approved Appalachian Power Company’s variance application; she said the town sent AEP a written notice of that decision and that the 30-day appeal window ran in mid-September.
Council members did not vote on a funding measure at the meeting; Ratcliffe framed the updates as procedural next steps and scheduling items. The town’s next steps are to publish a new public-hearing date for the VRA bond and to process Lead & Copper reimbursement paperwork once funding arrives.
The council also discussed several supporting operational items — meter replacements, tank inspection quotes and the Lakeview water and sewer planning project — as staff continue design and procurement work.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on the projects at this session; council members were updated and staff were directed to return with hearing dates and contract details for final action.
