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Board of County Commissioners <br />Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2017 <br />10. PUBLIC ITEMS <br />A. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br />B. PUBLIC DISCUSSION ITEMS <br />10.8.1. 17-0546 Request to Speak from Ardra Rigby and Bill Rigby Regarding Sewer <br />Services and the Wabasso Community <br />Recommended Action: <br />Attachments: Request to Speak Form <br />President Ardra Rigby and Board Member William Rigby, of the West Wabasso <br />Progressive Civic League, addressed the Board about the urgent need for the <br />County to move forward with the West Wabasso Sewer Project (the Project). <br />They discussed the environmental hazards of deteriorating septic tanks and <br />requested a status update on the Project. <br />Director of Utilities Vincent Burke recalled that on January 17, 2017, the Board <br />directed staff to put the Project on hold, due to the bids coming in $1 million <br />over the original Project estimate. He noted that after that date, staff had spent <br />three and one half months soliciting additional funding without success. <br />A lengthy dialogue followed between the Board, staff, and the Rigby's. Key <br />discussion topics included, but were not limited to, former and prospective <br />grants; cost analysis methodology; environmental concerns; and how market <br />conditions affect the competitive bids. <br />Throughout the discussion, individual Board Members and Director Burke <br />acknowledged the need for the Project and voiced their commitment to <br />accomplishing the improvements when funding can be secured. Director <br />Burke noted that the Project would have to undergo the Public Hearing process <br />again when it is brought back before the Board. <br />Ardra Rigby discussed past Federal grant money allocations, asked the Board to <br />ensure that any grants received for the Wabasso Community are used <br />excusively for that purpose, and requested notification when decisions affecting <br />the Wabasso Community are made. The Rigby's also requested that staff <br />explore Federal grant moneys. <br />Indian River County Florida <br />Page 9 <br />