Committee advances $900,000 measure to fill gap in flood‑wall repair funding; MSD grant application planned

Chair Browning explained Board Bill 159 on Feb. 25 as a measure to provide $900,000 in city funds to close the gap on a flood‑wall repair project. Browning said an earlier bill had been amended, reducing the allocated capital to about $4.1 million; the additional $900,000 in Board Bill 159 is intended to bring total project funding up to the roughly $5 million required.

Browning told the committee the city is applying for a Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) grant to provide the remaining funds. Alderman Cox Antoine asked what would happen if the grant application is unsuccessful; Browning said the capital fund would have to make up the difference but expressed confidence in the grant application. Members also discussed MSD’s potential to provide additional funding through its community project obligations under consent‑decree spending.

No members of the public offered comment. The committee moved, seconded and — with no objection on a previous roll — passed Board Bill 159 out of committee with a 'do pass' recommendation.