Sussex County Council heard multiple engineering items Feb. 4 related to wastewater projects and voted to approve contract amendments and to introduce debt authorization for a septic elimination project.

County Engineer Mike Harmer presented an ordinance authorizing issuance of up to $9,963,400 in general obligation bonds to fund design and construction of sewer collection and appurtenances for the Warwick Park Phase 2 septic elimination project. Harmer said the county received a Delaware Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund offer for $9,963,400 with a 30-year term; upon completion the loan could carry up to $5,470,360 in principal forgiveness with the remaining balance amortized over 30 years at 2% interest. The ordinance was introduced for council consideration.

The council also approved a modified amendment (number 6) to the EJCDC base engineering contract for Heron Creek (Whitman & ???) in the amount of $273,000 and closed out remaining amendments associated with that contract, as moved by the engineering department. The motion passed on a recorded council vote.

Separately the council approved amendment number 29 to the base engineering contract with GHD Inc. not to exceed $468,000 for process control and equipment logic integration services tied to the South Coastal regional wastewater treatment process upgrade. County staff described the amendment as final specialized services needed to integrate blower buildings, headworks and pump stations into the plant SCADA and control system. The motion to approve the GHD amendment passed on a recorded vote.

Engineering staff said the Whitman contract closeout and the GHD amendment are final steps to bring projects to substantial completion and startup. Council members voted in favor of the contract actions during the meeting.

Staff indicated further actions, including project closeouts and startup testing, will follow the approved contract amendments and that final acceptance and any remaining administrative or funding steps will return to council for routine approvals.