Aberdeen City Council approves spending $5M in stimulus funds for water plant improvements

Elisa Sand, Aberdeen News
·2 min read

The Aberdeen City Council has agreed to put $5 million in federal stimulus funds toward planned improvements at the city's water reclamation plant.

In November, the council heard about the need for $56.3 million in improvements at the plant. That work would help expand treatment capacity from 8 million gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day.

More: Aberdeen City Council hears $56.3 million expansion plan for water reclamation plant

In December, the council agreed to submit a funding application to the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The application is under review as the state determines how to spend the federal funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

One American Rescue Plan Act spending proposal from the state is to match local funding contributions of up to $5 million, according to city council agenda documents. City Manager Joe Gaa said in addition to matching that money, the state could potentially award another 30% of project costs, or just shy of $14 million, as a grant.

According to city documents, Aberdeen is expecting to receive a little more than $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, but has only received half its allocation, or $2.53 million.

The stimulus funding can be used for water and wastewater system improvements.

In other action, the council:

  • Approved the first reading of an ordinance correcting the final payment on the public safety bond debt service. The original ordinance listed a payoff of $3,585,400 instead of $3,858,400.

  • Approved various grant agreements through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation program. The grants cover 80% of $224,464 in costs for the purchase of computer software, a vehicle, facility renovations, facility cameras, shop equipment, tires, radios and tablets for Ride Line.

  • Approved the final reading of a rezoning request at 909 N. Main Street. The rezoning, which is changing the property from residential to commercial, will allow for the development of an Aflac insurance office. It was approved with the requirement that the property be zoned back to residential if property ownership or use changes.

  • Approved four payments to Helms & Associates for work on airport improvement projects. The payments totaled $6,244.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Aberdeen City Council approves spending $5M in stimulus funds for Water Reclamation Plant improvements