[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6500413,"mediaKeyId","5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea","parentId",5474916,"title","Board approves slate of water-quality grants, moves remaining change-order funds into Class B infrastructure pool","audioSeconds",2536,"startMs",2323000,"endMs",4859000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea&start=2323&end=4859","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea/thumbnail_2323000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500413/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Board-approves-slate-of-water-quality-grants-moves-remaining-change-order-funds-into-Class-B-infrastructure-pool","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500413-682ec523c5b1be4200b9e97f8d19e86a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447635&Signature=IyJUQi84pAbxi2C7EGqu5Rn20EqHXV-G7dkHJTIdXjhdoOhiqnX3xnwfkS2oHVWk4Y12Iq5GD-zoLcnHU1VwVUmOh5L5GQtpiAOhBaKIkE6~Qi0AlySraGyt3pV3NPz417Mbi-N81wYDQXUL5Nev4EsbIB6kc16qK6o1SQ2S6sj5sPlnz2nw~xsNkFaxqakAwM4N8vBWzYeV13paUPHJ5yIrnjHYDSV6qkdDPPckbDMyi~nSK1gDlAMWAHLV1Rdt5wIfcEHlZDxkyT2jq9lao2p1IOYj08INSso~AGpN~KlCDKXqzyGWIALqn9bz0rV2QAW2mtpsMyuQc0d53vgwgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-07-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Water Quality Board approved a slate of grant awards and a funding reallocation intended to cover remaining Class B infrastructure applications.

Staff summarized available funding for the year and recommended awards across several grant classes. The board approved funding recommendations and standard stipulations for applicants and unanimously agreed to reallocate approximately $276,000 from the program's remaining change-order balance into the Class B infrastructure category to cover incoming applications.

What staff reported: Staff said total available funds for the year included allocations from the FY26 budget, unused funds from prior years and an innovation expenditure pool. Staff calculated a total available amount of approximately $480,000 for the current funding cycle and recommended using roughly $170,000 for Class B infrastructure applications and to apply remaining Class A/B balances as needed.

Grants approved (high-level): The board approved funding recommendations and standard stipulations for multiple applicants, including nonprofit and homeowner association proposals, volunteer stewardship and education projects and feasibility-only studies. Among projects discussed or approved in staff presentations were applications from Seedleaf Inc., Garden Meadows Homeowners Association, Wireway Flex, Net Free Condominium Association, Prestwick Condominium Association (not funded), Principal training (education), Bluegrass GreenSource and Bay County Public Schools education programming. Staff noted standard stipulations for many awards such as coordination with utilities, planting setbacks from utilities and maintenance plans for plantings.

Notable board action: Members approved the staff recommendation to move roughly $276,000 in remaining change-order funds to the Class B infrastructure pool to support incoming applications. The motion to reallocate the funds was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The awards support stormwater retrofits, riparian planting, volunteer stewardship and educational programming across Lexington and Fayette County. The reallocation increases available funds for infrastructure applications that were due the following day, according to staff.

Board next steps: Staff will implement the funding reallocations and notify grantees. Staff also will finalize grant agreements and remind applicants of stipulations such as tree-planting setbacks and monitoring requirements for research projects.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - July 24 2025 WQFB meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Water Quality Board approved funding for multiple grant applications across education and infrastructure categories, accepted staff stipulations for several projects, and voted to move leftover change-order funds into the Class B infrastructure budget to support upcoming applications.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500417,"Board approves two change orders for stormwater projects after higher bids, design changes",853,869000,1722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea&start=869&end=1722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea/thumbnail_869000.jpg","/articles/6500417/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Board-approves-two-change-orders-for-stormwater-projects-after-higher-bids-design-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500417-1757a54c138ede05874af2963320160f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447635&Signature=HWhqzfJKQEWHEe8S9WdsJoHXT-C7J1wB1qG6AXUMvswx0Vdn-vVIzvZvRO-j5xDyaXoGV9kQNDz2sR5GfJmb2-aQw0hQxVSG1NMF9sl~aEttuktC1Bt~x0xd-Qjx~CjIUMKbi7B29MspiFD~cFZZaOI1Ix4Pl5GoEOkaUznAaEZ0hxoiHdMuK~xhtuT6EVj7vb-Rukixg0xbAUdBMzIR61OA1-vz6U9~7jiIj3NvAx4HfD0CsDAXvbhi1nINNVK6f0uF1hQ9sRwAKqgnkCURozvKitSkM4EubYmmg3FL-lEOkJFMroSvByLcHGhRsuIvdlrTuVQn1pwczuuKgqqjNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Water Quality Board approved two change orders for FY24 stormwater projects after staff and applicants presented bid results and design refinements that increased project costs.

Charlie Hall, who identified himself as representing the project engineer team, presented the first change order for the 2514 Regency Road (Acquisitions LLC) project. Hall said field infiltration testing yielded higher infiltration rates than expected, which allowed a smaller outlet pipe and the use of on-site infiltration rather than connection to the public right of way. He also told the board that increases in material and labor costs, erosion-control requirements and permeable-paver subbase prices contributed to the higher bid totals.

Hall summarized the project's original budget and the change-order totals as presented to the board; he characterized the net increase as driven by market cost escalation and by items underbid in the initial application. A board member asked whether the asphalt next to the building would be removed and replaced; Hall said that portion would be milled and regraded but remain asphalt to reduce costs.

Board discussion noted that the change orders were validated by competitive bids and that the total remained within the program's maximum award. One board member disclosed a personal acquaintance with the project owner and recused themselves from the vote on one of the items.

The second project, at 2592 Bolombo Drive, also showed higher costs due largely to inflation in labor and materials and an increased extent of storm-sewer work and excavation. Presenters said the design change closes an open swale with a bioswale and adds permeable pavers on the edges of a parking area. The low bid for that project was presented and staff recommended the change order to cover increased quantities and general-condition costs.

Board action: The board voted to approve the change orders as recommended by staff. A board member recused themselves on one of the votes because of an acquaintance with the project owner; the remainder of the board approved the change orders by voice vote.

Why it matters: Higher-than-estimated construction costs and additional erosion-control requirements can materially affect grant-funded stormwater projects. The board's change-order program and reserve funds are designed to preserve projects when bids come in above original estimates.

Implementation: Staff said the program has retained a change-order balance and that, even with the approved increases, both projects remained within the maximum allowable award and the program's change-order budget. Staff will finalize the grant amendment documents and return executed agreements to the board office.

","The Water Quality Board approved change orders for two FY24 projects—one at 2514 Regency Road and another at 2592 Bolombo Drive—citing higher construction costs, additional erosion-control requirements and minor design changes after bid results.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500423,"Volunteer groups form Waterways Lex after Bluegrass Watershed Summit; board hears presentation",505,192000,697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea&start=192&end=697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474916-8d4f9850bc17d76a85bca5b3cd6868ea/thumbnail_192000.jpg","/articles/6500423/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Volunteer-groups-form-Waterways-Lex-after-Bluegrass-Watershed-Summit-board-hears-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500423-8290e9e99d74d4341bc666ee69cbe6b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447635&Signature=Lo71CzgcoCh1Avt0Lynf728wk8OFNhgMv~gahQ6ZPAPb6xt8OTdSGhdrPCYQeXvEJpfXkAQGJhSmV531FIeBtLoA-aaKnSoYh2n51LMxKz~GRI7sFJs4onWbhlMDlnrtg7JX3xtBt4zS7oCrJQIRlpzMoXzKeMgkc4WXNRHJHuJ5pkgEU-YGwntVso5bz9Sk2EmOiKomi9niz~Zhtk86vESg3nML2t25CtkcRpwKWp~IYPCjOoDBpOimx9Uz3079tfDGo0Wh8GonZWiZQXYIZWxuALSdZflB6dIgAyUaKivve3bTRqsvj7JtXr9ehH00jyDkqiBnWRo-zPd5ho2Zlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Water Quality Board on an unscheduled meeting date heard a presentation from John Pike about the Bluegrass Watershed Summit and a newly formed coalition, Waterways Lex, intended to coordinate volunteer watershed work across Fayette County.

Pike, a water resources engineer with Palmer Engineering and a volunteer with Hickman Creek Conservancy, said about 75 people attended the summit and that attendees included local watershed volunteer groups, university forestry staff and consultants. \"We had a great venue,\" Pike said, and listed partners including BCTC, the Kentucky River Authority, Kentucky Water Resources Institute and Friends of Wolf Run.

Board staff and a representative for Council Member Maggie Sibagomi described internal work to smooth the city's water-quality grant process. Alyssa McKenzie, an aide to Council Member Sibagomi, said the council office is reviewing the grant application and project periods and expects to report back to the board in the fall. \"We should have things wrapped up by the end of the summer, and we're hoping for a fall report out to the QVW,\" McKenzie said.

Why it matters: Volunteer watershed groups frequently run local restoration and education projects that rely on technical guidance and periodic seed funding. Waterways Lex aims to act as a hub for groups that lack experience with technical designs or with the Water Quality Incentive Grant application process, organizers said.

Pike described goals for the coalition that included sharing technical advice (engineering support and best-management-practice maintenance), replicating successful projects across other watersheds and cultivating local leaders in watersheds such as South Elkhorn and Cane Run. He said Waterways Lex plans to host another watershed summit in spring 2026 and has submitted a Water Quality Incentive Grant this year to support its first-year work.

The board heard that the summit also emphasized youth engagement; many of the summit speakers were under 40, Pike said, and several activities targeted recruitment of younger volunteers. Pike described a project the summit participants immediately developed and later carried out: a tree-planting and invasive removal at Meadowbrook Park.

Board reaction and action: Board members praised the summit and moved to accept staff's recommendation on the Waterways Lex application. The board approved the staff recommendation to fund Waterways Lex as presented.

Looking ahead: Waterways Lex leaders said the group will act as a technical and organizational resource for local watershed volunteers and intends to repeat the summit in 2026.

","At the Water Quality Board meeting, volunteer leaders described the Bluegrass Watershed Summit and announced a new countywide coalition, Waterways Lex, which plans outreach, technical assistance and a Water Quality Incentive Grant application.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves slate of water-quality grants, moves remaining change-order funds into Class B infrastructure pool

Board approves two change orders for stormwater projects after higher bids, design changes

Volunteer groups form Waterways Lex after Bluegrass Watershed Summit; board hears presentation