Well Over A Year After Helene, Asheville City Council Approves Several Recovery Projects
At the meeting yesterday, the Asheville City Council approved several proposals on the consent agenda that addressed Helene recovery. The actions largely request more assistance from the federal government to help with various recovery needs.
Here are details on the actions approved by council
RECOVERY GRANTS
Consent Item D – Approved
Parks and Recreation Grant Application
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for grants in the Helene Recovery Fund for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) 2025-2026 in the State of North Carolina, and authorizing the City Manager to accept funds if granted, and to execute all documents related to implementation and management of Helene Recovery funds for PARTF 2025-2026 North Carolina Grant Program.
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“These state funds will continue to play an essential role in our community’s recovery from Helene, “said Helene Recovery Coordinator Bridget Herring. “The ability to have these grants pro-actively identified and approved, affords us the maximum opportunity to address gaps in funding for our community’s continued Helene recovery and resilience efforts.”
Consent Item H : Approved
Additional Funding Request to NC Congressional Delegation
Resolution authorizing staff to submit a request to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation requesting a federal authorization and funding for a City of Asheville comprehensive water system resiliency and capacity enhancement project designed to expand service reliability, strengthen system redundancy, and reduce vulnerabilities that could result in future potable water service disruptions and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept funds if allocated.
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Consent Item G : Approved
Additional Funding Letter of Request to HUD, Congress & NC Delegation
Resolution authorizing staff to submit a formal letter to Congressional Leadership and North Carolina delegation members requesting a direct additional Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery allocation from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept funds if allocated.
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“We recognize the costs involved with executing essential Helene recovery work far exceeds current available funding levels,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “We are grateful federal agencies and leaders continue to recognize the vital role their support and funding plays in meeting our highest recovery priorities like rebuilding our water system with resiliency, and ask for their continued support”
CDBG-DR FUNDS
Consent Item B – Approved
Small Business Grant Administrative Support Services
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into subrecipient agreements with Mountain BizWorks, Venture Asheville, Arts AVL, and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation to provide grant administration support services for the Asheville small business community affected by Tropical Storm Helene; and authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary documents to this effect.
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