Council authorizes CDBG-I public hearing for $3.3M Washington Avenue sewer rehabilitation

Assistant Public Services Director Henry McLean asked council to authorize scheduling and advertising of a federal CDBG-I public hearing for the Washington Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project. McLean said the project would replace roughly 7,200 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line, 35 manholes, and 130 sewer services between North Independence Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The estimated total project cost is about $3.3 million; staff is seeking $3 million through CDBG-I with an estimated local share of $300,000.

McLean noted income surveys showed approximately 86 percent of the project area qualifies as low-to-moderate income, exceeding grant thresholds, and outlined the seven federally required hearing topics—such as displacement/relocation policy, citizen comment procedures, and complaint/grievance timelines. Council authorized staff to schedule and advertise the required public hearing; staff emphasized no displacement or relocation is expected.