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Council hears plan to pursue FEMA hazard-mitigation funds for $43M regional wastewater project; staff OKs generator test
Summary
Public works staff told the council they will pursue FEMA hazard-mitigation funding (potentially up to 75% of eligible costs) for a regional wastewater-plant project estimated at $43 million, and recommended testing a variable-frequency drive and considering a natural-gas generator to reduce operational risk.
Town staff updated the council Dec. 9 on several infrastructure and grant items, including a potential FEMA hazard-mitigation application for a regional wastewater-plant project, testing for automatic-transfer-switch equipment, and a Virginia Outdoors grant and easement update.
Public works staff said FEMA's hazard-mitigation program has encouraged the town to submit a pre-application for a regional wastewater-plant regionalization project. Staff described the project cost at about $43,000,000 and said mitigation funding could cover up to 75% of eligible costs; the town has engaged regional partners and grant-writing assistance to prepare the submission. "I'm excited about this because I think this could be a godsend for us," staff said, noting documentation of flood damages and coordination with state and federal representatives.
On operational equipment, staff reported a supplier has offered to loan a variable-frequency drive for field testing so the town can determine whether a retrofit will solve performance issues; the quoted contractor installation cost was about $1,000 (not to exceed $2,000) for the test. Staff also said an upsized, natural-gas-driven generator could eliminate some automatic-transfer-switch problems but would require higher capital expense; grant programs may cover flood-resistant placement.
Separately, the council heard a status update on a Virginia Outdoors grant and an easement extension for property associated with Lewis Webb, with survey work and a closing expected after January. Staff also reported the state has contracted debris removal in some areas and the Army Corps would handle waterways cleanup.
Next steps: staff will submit the FEMA pre-application, schedule the VFD test installation, and return to council with grant application materials and cost estimates.
