BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Lake Butler City Commission authorized Mayor Melissa Hendrix to execute a $11.25 million loan agreement with the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund for wastewater infrastructure upgrades during its September 16 meeting.
Under the loan agreement, the city is pledging revenues from its water fund to repay the loan.
Hendrix noted that a grant will cover $9.65 million of the principal, leaving the city to repay the remaining $1.6 million over 30 years.
In a letter to the fund, City Attorney John E. Maines, IV, noted that water fund revenues are already pledged for a 1998 bond issue.
Engineer John Petrohovich with CHP Consulting said one benefit of the infrastructure upgrades will be replacing the clay piping that is in some areas of the municipality.
“It is just like the piping you plant tomato seeds in that you’re going to put out in your back patio,” he told commissioners. “That’s the type of infrastructure— that’s just the age— so this will get you modern infrastructure, it’s going to save you on (repairs and maintenance) costs because of less emergency repairs to make, less storm water and sand and things getting in your system, that then put additional strain on your wastewater plant. So it is really tremendous.”
Complaint about sulfur smell
Public comments kicked off with resident Lisa Huggins expressing frustration over the “rotten egg” smell in the water, questioning how long residents would have to endure it.
Jason Dodds, water and wastewater supervisor, explained the odor stems from ongoing aeration and chlorine issues during wastewater treatment upgrades.
Dodds added that the contractor had paused work for two weeks but would return, estimating another month before the issue was resolved.
Hendrix noted recent impacts on laundry and drinking water, while Huggins said she avoids bathing or brushing her teeth with it. No immediate fixes were announced, but officials assured that the issue is temporary.
Townsend Green roofing project moves forward
Progress on the Townsend Green Building rehabilitation, a historic structure housing the Union County Historical Society Museum, advanced with the award of a roofing contract to Perry Contracting of Gainesville.
The bid, $140 over the grant budget, prioritized the roof due to its urgency, with plans to seek future funding for windows and flooring.
Grant Administrator Doug Sanders, with Andy Easton and Associates, recounted the laborious process the grant application has gone through.
“Four public hearings, hurricanes, labor shortages, materials absent, it took two public hearings to get the architect, which was in Tallahassee, and it took another two public hearings to get this bid tonight,” Sanders recalled.
The administrator informed commissioners that he would return to them in October with a Perry Roofing contract for their approval.
“Then we’ll have a pre-construction conference, and at that time his scope of service will include his project schedule, and we’re giving him until the end of the year, which was the extended period that was given to us by the state,” Sanders said. “He’s going to do some infrared drone inspections of the building as a final check of the condition of that roof, and he’ll come in and get it done.”
Sanders added that preserving the building’s contents is worth the frustration of repairing the roof.
“It’s an amazing collection,” he said of the historical society’s displays. “I’ve never seen a church, a museum— and it has so many newspaper articles on Union County history. It’s worth every bit of the frustrations we went through to get to this point.”
Occupational license fees, Halloween date, code enforcement officer
The commission maintained the current occupational license fee schedule, opting against changes that could impact the recently approved budget. Commissioners also reconsidered Halloween trick-or-treating, moving it from Friday, October 31, to Thursday, October 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., to avoid conflicting with a high school senior night football game.
In reports, City Manager Kim Hayes announced the hiring of Rick Ward as a part-time code enforcement officer starting October 1, with 20 years of experience from Gainesville.
She updated the commission on community center improvements and progress on a boat ramp grant.
Public Works Director Michael Gray reported on park enhancements, pothole repairs, and new hires.
Water and Wastewater Supervisor Jason Dodds detailed meter repairs, minor breaks, and spray field work.
Finance Director Dave Mecusker indicated the city is on track for a strong fiscal year-end on September 30.
The meeting concluded with condolences for the passing of Martha Powell, a longtime educator and community pillar who passed away at the age of 92. Commissioners agreed to contribute personally toward flowers for her family.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 21.
