SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City Council introduced an ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 9, that if adopted would divert $2.2 million in unused bond funding to the city’s community center project.

The planned community center construction received a low bid of $21.1 million from Ernest Bock & Sons, of Philadelphia. By reappropriating the $2.2 million and including some funding for community center improvements in a new $11 million general improvements bond ordinance also introduced Jan. 9, Mayor Leonard Desiderio said the two bond ordinances, along with existing funding, “will put into place the necessary funds to award the contract for the community center.”

Desiderio added that the city has had “preliminary discussions with representatives of Ernest Bock & Sons, and they look forward to working with the city once the project is awarded.” Desiderio said he expects a “notice to proceed” will be given to the company in March.

The two ordinances will come up for second reading, required public hearing and a vote to adopt at the Tuesday, Feb. 13, council meeting.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.