Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/297477
financial question. "This was budgeted at $9.6 million. We've now spent $8 million. How are we going to do the rest of this project? Where's the rest of the money coming from? And reliability? Should we be looking at a dif- ferent site?" Topovski said the proceeds from the sale of the city-owned "spray fields" at the Hi Hat Ranch east of Interstate 75 will be used to finish the job. As for reliability: "We are re-looking at the functionality of the system," he replied. Pauline Kingsbury stepped up to cross-ex- amine the engineers, peppering them with questions. "So what's the completion date now?" she asked. "Jan. 13, 2016 is the final conclusion date, when [Lift Station] 7 is closed down and we make the park good," said Garland. "Odor control fixed?" she asked. "The system is sized properly, but we are look- ing at additional guards upstream to minimize those risks, too," Garland told her. "How long can you stay on schedule as the scope gets bigger and bigger?" asked Ellen Miller. "In Phase One, we did a fairly detailed design of the sewer system," said Garland. "In Phase Two, we're designing the lift station. The depth does not impact our design schedule." "The consent order [with the FDEP] goes to May 2016," noted Miller. "I think you're working to that schedule. I'm worried about the construction schedule. I don't think it's realistic." Of all the people in the city, Miller has the greatest reason to worry. She lives directly next to the failed and failing Lift Station 7 that is still handling one-third of the city's sewage. % The site of Lift Station 87 in Luke Wood Park showed little sign of progress in October 2013. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 52