By VICKI BROWN
Walterboro City Council is expecting to receive federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, a multi-trillion-dollar plan that put millions of dollars into local governments as part of COVID-19 relief efforts.
Council met on Tuesday, September 7th and appointed representatives to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): the ARPA requires that municipalities designate an authorized representative to approve and sign documents, make certifications required by ARPA, and otherwise act as a designated and lawfully appointed agent.
In a previous meeting, Colleton County Council voted for Jeffrey Molinari, Walterboro’s City Manager, to be designated as the city’s authorized representative pursuant to ARPA.
Molinari is authorized and directed to do all things necessary to receive and expend funds pursuant to an appropriation by council and ARPA rules.
Walterboro City Council approved this recommendation. City Council also voted to make Amy J. Risher, the city’s finance director, as the contact person for ARPA.
In other city business:
Walterboro City Council approved a request to purchase a high-pressure sewer cleaner. Public Works Director Michael Crosby told city leaders that the new pressure washer is needed. The cleaner will replace a piece of equipment that has been in service since 1988.
The city’s 2021-2022 sewer support budget allocated $107,614 for the purchase of the sewer cleaner. Council accepted the low bid from Jet-Vac Equipment Company of Atlanta, in the amount of $114,552.80. The $6,938.80 shortfall will be absorbed by the Sewer Support Department.
City Council accepts Federal Aviation Grant
Walterboro City Council has approved the acceptance of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration grant offer to the Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission in an amount not to exceed $883,586.
The funding is for improvements to the Lowcountry Regional Airport in Walterboro.
A resolution authorizing the city of Walterboro to act as the sponsor for the grant, to adopt the application for the grant as its own, and accept the grant agreement was passed in a specially called City Council meeting, held on August 31.
The Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission requested the City of Walterboro act as the sponsor of and be the recipient of the grant for airport improvements and will pay any match required by the granting agency.
