The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee voted to send to the full City Commission a recommendation to direct city administration to negotiate an agreement with the Sunset Harbor Condominium Association to shift responsibility for operating, maintaining, upgrading and replacing the Sunset Harbor sewer pump (lift) station.

City staff told the committee the lift station was built to private standards and would require upgrades to meet municipal standards if the city assumes it. Staff cited an initial capital upgrade in “a little over $400,000” and estimated ongoing annual operating and inspection costs of about $60,000 under municipal practice. The committee heard that the association currently pays roughly $150 a month for maintenance (about $1,500 per year) and that its representatives had offered to contribute about $30,000 per year for three years to help bridge a gap while the city takes responsibility.

Mark Halpern of Halpern Rodriguez and other Sunset Harbor community representatives said they do not want to operate a public utility but are willing to subsidize initial upgrades; Halpern said the parties had compared engineering analyses and had previously believed an agreement existed but discovered no binding developer commitment to city maintenance. City staff noted the lift station lacks redundancy (one pump) and a gravity sewer connection the city would prefer not to acquire.

Committee members emphasized public‑safety and environmental risks if the station were not upgraded and said the city has previously taken positions in favor of acquiring such facilities. The chair asked staff to refine the cost analysis—particularly options to reduce operating costs—and to work with the neighborhood on easements or other access needs. Staff said the association was comfortable covering the initial upgrade and that the annual contribution would be determined during negotiations.

Committee discussion concluded with a motion to return to the full commission with a favorable recommendation to direct the administration to negotiate the agreement; commissioners voted in favor. The full commission will consider the negotiated terms and any decision on a permanent transfer of operation, funding sources for ongoing maintenance, or capital planning for replacement cycles.

Key remaining issues for decision by the full commission include the level and duration of any annual contribution by Sunset Harbor, how to fund the $60,000/year estimated operating cost within utility and CIP/rate plans, and the timeline and responsibility for long‑term capital replacement (10–15 year horizon).