At the October 28 City Council meeting, Council members undertook consideration of several Helene Recovery agenda items as the City and community continue to move forward with recovery related projects and needs. Below is a list of the items, grouped by topic or category, actions, and impacts.
Helene recovery related items
WATER
Consent Item D : Unanimously approved
Phase 1 Repairs at Bee Tree Dam
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an emergency professional services contract with Schnabel Engineering South for Phase One repairs at the Bee Tree Dam and associated structures due to Tropical Storm Helene.
Interim Water Resources Director Bill Hart states, “This contract outlines a three-phase engineering plan to repair the Bee Tree Dam, maintain resilience, and ensure continued community protection,” said Interim Water Resources Director Bill Hart.
Resources: Staff Report
Consent Item O: Unanimously Approved
Water System Resilience Improvement Grant application
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for funding from the N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality State Revolving Fund and Environmental Protection Agency Grant Program for water system resilience improvements; to accept said grant funds if awarded; and enter into any agreement documents necessary for such acceptance.
“The City continues to pursue all avenues of funding when it comes to our Helene recovery,” said Helene Recovery Coordinator Bridget Herring. “Applying for state funding opportunities, like this grant, can potentially provide financial flexibility when it comes to addressing our community’s recovery needs and resilience post Helene.”
Resources: Staff report
RECOVERY FUNDS
Consent Item G: Unanimously approved
Helene Disaster Recovery Grant
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept grant funds from the N.C. Dept. of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal’s Helene Disaster Recovery Grant; and the associated budget amendment, in the amount of $50,000 to the Special Revenue Fund.
“We’re grateful to the Office of State Fire Marshal and the N.C. Department of Insurance for their support through this Helene Disaster Recovery Grant,” said Asheville Fire Chief Mike Cayse. “ These funds will help our department purchase swift water rescue equipment following the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.”
Resources: Staff report
ECONOMY: Under Public Hearing
CDBG-DR Annual Action Plan amendment : amendment unanimously authorized
Public hearing to consider a resolution amending the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Annual Action Plan to raise the maximum grant amount for the State of North Carolina Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Program, decrease the minimum project award under the Housing and Economic Security Support Services Program, and correct a citation under the Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program.
“By increasing the maximum grant amount for home reconstruction, we’re ensuring that Asheville residents can get the full benefit of this program and get their storm-damaged home rebuilt and that the home can withstand future weather events,” said Community Development Division Manager James Shelton. “We’re also reducing the minimum award amount for our Housing and Economic Security Support Services Program to allow us to have greater flexibility to select strong program proposals that may not require half a million dollars to implement but will still have a significant impact for our community. We encourage our community to go to the CDBG-DR engagement hub by November 9th to let us know what they think of these changes.”
Resources: Staff Report, Presentation
Action Plan’s first proposed amendment
Latest CDBG-DR update
CDBG-DR engagement hub
Unfinished Business:
A. Noise Ordinance: Second Reading: passes 4 to 3
Second reading of Ordinance No. 5181 – Ordinance amending Section 10-88 (Noise Regulations) regarding increasing the event days of a Level 3 sound exceedance permit from 30 to 50 event days for a pilot program period with a sunset date of December 31, 2026.
“The City has been collaborating with business owners on ideas to stimulate our local economy post Helene,” said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody. “This pilot program affords us one year to determine if this action meets that need. Any plan to continue this program beyond the one year trial period would need to come before council for consideration.”
Resources: Staff report
New Business:
A. Appointments to 4 Helene Recovery Boards
Economy
Scott Adams, Eva Michelle Spicer, Anne Keller, John Ellis, Pat Kappes, Jessica Tomasin, Cheryl Antoncic Suess, Katie Cornell, Amy Kelly, Alexandria Monque Ravenel, Jeffrey Burroughs
Housing
Andy Barnett, Robin Raines, Elyse Marder, Reb Haizlip, Joshua Martin Rudow, David Bartholomew, Matt Allen, Brian Methvin, Lukas Ray, Rebecca Chaplin, Yvette Jives
Infrastructure
Kate Ancaya, John Piece, Kenny Armstrong, Charlie Huguenard, Tim Ormond, AJ Hardie, David George Nutter, Shuvonda Renete Harper, Michael Holcombe, Joe Balcken, Marty Benson
People and Environment
Alma Atkins, Jack Igelman, Elizabeth Likis, Christy Hurlburt, Karen MacNeil, Darrell Diane Burrus, Leah Ferguson, Anna Alsobrook, David Jeremy Greenson, Daniel Leroy, Rene Danielle Treece
“Recovery is a shared effort, and these boards ensure that community voices are at the center of our decisions,” said Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager. “We’re grateful to these members for stepping forward to help guide Asheville’s path toward a stronger, more resilient future.”
Resources: Project Page