The report came from the Panama City based Mott MacDonald, the firm working with the City to purchase land and update the City’s sewer plant disposal system.
by Kathy Foster
Chipley City Council members were told at Thursday’s workshop session that a “highly probably site” has been selected and site testing/modeling is underway, with the offer for purchase accepted, with “due diligence provisions”. They were also informed that proposed consent order negotiations are underway.
Bill Perry, representing Mott MacDonald at the meeting, said the proposed consent order is being reviewed and they are being provided recommended revisions with timelines felt to be “aggressive, but achiveable”.
Commenting on funding opportunities for the project, Perry said they have applied for and approved for a Northwest Florida Water Management District grant and are waiting on FDEP approval for funding.
The City of Chipley is working with Washington County on the project and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce is supporting their application for a DEO Florida Job Growth Infrastructure Grant for the project.
According to Perry’s report, they have collaborated witht FDEP’s SRF Program regarding the upcoming funding cycle and will apply for funding, limited to approximately $4.5 million annually in the upcoming fall cycle.
Perry said testing and evaluation is still ongoing at the proposed site in the southeastern part of Washington County. He added that the tests are showing that water will go into the ground very quickly. He expects results of the tests to be final in the next couple of weeks. However, he said the project will take three to four years to complete.
As part of the workshop session, council members put the following issues on their agenda for their Sept. 11th regular 6 p.m. meeting:
- Final Reading of Ordinance No. 953, which addresses abandonment of an unopened right-of-way on Gilbert Drive.
- Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 954, which addresses a zoning change to Neighborhood Commercial for property at 1232 South Boulevard.
- Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 955, which addresses abandonment of an unopened right-of-way 15 foot alley on property owned by Max Wells.
- First reading of Ordinance No. 956, which addresses abandonment of an unopened right-of-way on Oak Avenue.
- Approval of a P&Z recomendation of a residential home placement at 996 Haywood Drive.
- Approval of a P&Z recommendation of a residential home placement at 965 Haywood Drive.
- Approval os a P&Z recommendation for office expansion and remodeling at the Gulf Power office at 1195 Jackson Avenue
- Approval of seven Special Event applications
- Chipley High School Homecoming Parade at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 19th.
- St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 5K Run on Nov. 3rd
- American Cancer Soeicty Relay for Life at Pal’s Park in April 2019
- Truck or Treat on Oct. 27th at Pal’s Park from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Washington County Public Library Movie Night on Oct. 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at Pal’s Park
- Washington County Sheriff’s Department County Night Out – Outdoor Movie on Oct. 13th at 6:30 p.m. at Pal’s Park
- Chipley Christmas Fest on Dec. 7th from 4 p.m. -to 8 p.m.