[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6709554,"mediaKeyId","5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e","parentId",5383722,"title","State Office of Resilience outlines Hurricane Helene recovery programs, opens local intake office in Aiken County","audioSeconds",2646,"startMs",2718000,"endMs",5364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e&start=2718&end=5364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e/thumbnail_2718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6709554/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/State-Office-of-Resilience-outlines-Hurricane-Helene-recovery-programs-opens-local-intake-office-in-Aiken-County","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709554-93c963912ed63ee03bff50da227ebbae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196283&Signature=E38PcGyqM3~WGAaBb4EthjGj3KhF4tTHEyt3EoRuQulejmQzdSuyC6r-6pw0rMioaOJhqONNEujLIpM-E~ONjwmlEw-ztiEIa6GyiVj3vDGz5Wsymaee8xsMeaXLuC-HO~G2EeLOYfeaKI0u5REBmODxcxUKh2n~4dOlamLR3kzvyeKkPCaAyIVgdn0PGekRo42Lw1J9oionaH2mLd1GBCmUf0noRolzEptfQbsxgX6G7nr9Zm-6sv6JIlZLef~NoQIjnchZxL3b042wQN2dEagh8HgeV~KoZlHrIuOa8Qxw0D1tZE0OORX1eAjmfy7NLzQCkafYltpmJ0jskS635A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of North Augusta Public Information, SC","date","2025-07-15T11:29:48Z","article","The South Carolina Office of Resilience detailed programs to help Hurricane Helene survivors and said it will open a local disaster case management office in Aiken County to accept applications and assess eligibility for housing repairs and replacement.

Eric Fossmeier, chief of staff for the South Carolina Office of Resilience, told the council the federal appropriation to the state totals $150,000,000 through the HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR), with about $123,000,000 earmarked for housing and roughly $19,000,000 available for mitigation projects for local governments. Fossmeier said the state expects to reach roughly 700 households with the housing funds.

Fossmeier said the program prioritizes low- and moderate-income households and gives extra priority to households with age-dependent members (under 18 or 65 and older) or disabled residents. \"We lessen the impact of disasters on our citizens across the state,\" Fossmeier said, describing the office\u0000mission to plan, coordinate, and administer long-term recovery and mitigation.

Why it matters: HUD-designated \"most impacted and distressed\" counties receive about 80% of the housing portion of the award; Aiken County is one of those six counties, Fossmeier said, meaning residents of Aiken County and North Augusta are likely to see a larger share of available housing recovery dollars than other counties in the state.

What the programs cover: The CDBG-DR housing line will fund single-family rehabilitation or replacement (including new stick-built homes and, in some cases, replacement mobile homes), rental assistance, and voluntary buyouts. Fossmeier said buyouts return frequently flooded parcels to open space and are voluntary. He said the program can replace a manufactured home with a factory-built double-wide in some cases, or build a modest 3- to 4-bedroom stick-built house when warranted.

Fossmeier described a separate parallel state-funded rapid rebuild program of up to $38,000,000 (with $20,000,000 initially available) intended to accelerate construction while the HUD grant is finalized. He said some construction using state dollars could begin as early as August on a small number of already-eligible destroyed homes.

Intake office and timeline: The Office of Resilience plans a regional office for Aiken County at 900 Trail Ridge Road, with mobile intake capability to visit libraries, community centers or residents who cannot travel. Fossmeier said the HUD grant agreement remained in a federal approval process but that disaster case managers are already registering clients; once the HUD grant is signed, the Office will move eligible applicants into the housing recovery application process. He said HUD allows up to six years to complete the grant but the state expects to finish most work in about three years absent another major disaster.

Application and prioritization: Fossmeier urged residents to apply to disaster case management before expecting a final eligibility decision. \"If we're not going to get to you, we're going to let you know,\" he said, explaining the office will tell applicants early if they fall outside likely funding priorities so they are not left waiting indefinitely.

Mitigation funding: About $19,000,000 in mitigation funding is available but limited to the six HUD-identified counties; the office will accept mitigation project proposals in the fall and prefers shovel-ready stormwater or green infrastructure projects. Fossmeier said mitigation can include local buyouts organized by a local government rather than individual-initiated buyouts under the housing program.

Local outreach: Fossmeier said the office will post materials online and coordinate with the city to direct residents to intake staff, and that the state will deploy implementation vendors and contractors after procurement so construction can begin once the grant is active.

\"Once we start building homes, we'll prove up to folks that we're actually delivering,\" Fossmeier said, describing the effect earlier projects had on application volume in other counties.

Ending: City administrator Jim Clifford introduced the presentation and said the city would post the Office of Resilience materials on the city's Hurricane Helene website and share contact information with residents. Fossmeier said he would remain in the building after the presentation for questions and that staff from the Office of Resilience would be available at a staffed intake center on the first floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of North Augusta Council Study Session 07/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The South Carolina Office of Resilience detailed programs to help Hurricane Helene survivors and said it will open a local disaster case management office in Aiken County to accept applications and assess eligibility for housing repairs and replacement.","taxTitle","North Augusta, Aiken County, South Carolina","taxId",56877,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6709545,"North Augusta to sample Brick Pond after fish kills and algae observed; waterfall pumps to be replaced",180,1656000,1836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e&start=1656&end=1836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","/articles/6709545/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/North-Augusta-to-sample-Brick-Pond-after-fish-kills-and-algae-observed-waterfall-pumps-to-be-replaced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709545-a93aed87fdb0ded4d3e752b69f7ebba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196283&Signature=A9d~Qjh017KuLVdin3rzHEeLVb-Fb1~B8waXQuew8ZzD7gVtKjcekxIybSK1tgZEnCzAH~zgDnqdQk~sa5fVSnxIW9D7FAuCmxqPzwLCuX8LXrUVRSoj3psP83rmRFJwP6nAJSyD1Uy7BVqWai-Dm5LuWAgN8G7Q8wrv5nPegmnKQxgl9eadtzSl3cztLEl2ddOMm9zvfZ9m0j9BHXn-QQpXA6K2EsOdQa3chwZLQ3-IBkGrN5xBsh5Q1GgKFjekyRGHw1uFepNsIjl86hUACtAon312OOfmbSoe6Q1ioq77fqewZ-5j~WsB29Q361iVodlhwAMflVfUsmIG1S8nKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City public works staff reported recent observations of dead fish and an algae bloom in the constructed wetlands portion of Brick Pond and said the city will conduct water sampling and repair aeration pumps.

Tom Zeeser, director of public works, said staff received reports and observed dead fish and signs of an algal bloom in the ponds between Center Street and Georgia Avenue. The city notified the state agency referenced in the meeting as the South Carolina DES harmful-algae division; based on information provided, that agency \"didn't see any need for them to take any action at this time,\" Zeeser said.

Zeeser said city staff will collect on-site samples the next day for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and nutrient levels to determine whether elevated nutrients might be fueling the algae. He also said the city will run E. coli tests to rule out illicit wastewater discharge; E. coli results are expected within about 24 hours, while nutrient laboratory results can take up to three weeks.

Zeeser noted that some Brick Pond waterfalls are functional features that provide aeration and that the pumps for those waterfalls had been out of service \"for some time.\" He said property-maintenance staff are replacing the pumps this week and that aeration improvements may reduce algae and fish-stress conditions.

City response and next steps: Zeeser said staff will report results as needed after sampling; the city also received assistance from public safety earlier the same day relating to people handling alligators at the ponds.

Ending: City administration said it values Brick Pond Park as a community asset and will continue to investigate causes of fish mortality and algae blooms and take corrective action as warranted by test results.","City staff reported dead fish and an algae bloom in Brick Pond's constructed wetlands. Staff will sample for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, nutrients and E. coli; pumps that provide aeration are being replaced this week.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6709550,"City staff preview engineering contracts for Georgia Avenue traffic calming and Crestview-Woodlawn drainage",167,1323000,1490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e&start=1323&end=1490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e/thumbnail_1323000.jpg","/articles/6709550/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/City-staff-preview-engineering-contracts-for-Georgia-Avenue-traffic-calming-and-Crestview-Woodlawn-drainage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709550-89640b7629de5ca54001b50a894c820d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196283&Signature=Wzqh~Tm4hGc6PYmurro3Ttxr11bLcb4-6wJ1UzXzPcQb27OiZ-tRh0uteYHwxP4A9fYNXqODYKhlLTedu1xZKep89zCC9CtVFHbWLQ0gC6RkRwoWrWlR8pjy-0TbxMxj4lNOaKJUP1gLzPH02BsXvV47QemsdlFSeNPS~98j10eUpvgXLX2YvsgVT-LB8Nu~eRI90aFXFa4faVigyS0DVuVfU-lfahadHJqd8b-0G5PIeEvLkDMpKa2vvwqEFoTK-Bk-UOlkRbSkxbVfCpeBJ5pkMOEMPh6u6uJkXa6k7ROnGgbwW0ed-1xGnJvklEAliiJJlb6qOyk8P4znh5dL2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the North Augusta City Council study session they plan to request council approval of two professional engineering service contracts at upcoming meetings: one for Phase 1 of traffic calming on Georgia Avenue and another for design of drainage improvements in the Crestview-Woodlawn area.

Dr. Jay McCauley, assistant city administrator, said the traffic calming Phase 1 concept already has council approval and the city issued an RFQ; consulting work from Ken(n)y Horn (consultant identified in the materials) will cover planning-phase tasks. McCauley said the resolution (No. 2025-24) will attach a scope listing surveying, design services, public engagement, SCDOT coordination and permitting, bid-phase services, construction administration and project management, and that the funding source for the design work is CPST4.

Tom Zeeser, director of public works, summarized the Crestview-Woodlawn drainage project and a proposed design contract with engineering firm Thomas & Hutton. He said the drainage issue has been on the city's high-priority project list for decades and that the Thomas & Hutton proposal would perform design-related services for approximately $60,000. \"This resolution will authorize funding for that,\" Zeeser said, and he added that a future resolution will be required to authorize construction once design is complete.

Public engagement and timing: Zeeser said the design process will likely include at least one informal public information meeting so residents can \"view the design and get a better understanding of how the construction will impact their properties.\" When a council member asked for a time frame, Zeeser estimated the design period could be \"somewhere between 60 days and 6 months,\" and clarified he did not have the proposal timeline in front of him.

Next steps: Jim Clifford, the city administrator, said both resolutions will appear in the council packet for upcoming meetings and that councilors may skip the ordinance pages for the current week because administration will post a 30-day public notice (in a separate matter the administrator described earlier). No formal council vote on either resolution was recorded during the study session; staff presented the scope, estimated costs, and outreach plans for council review ahead of an action item at a future meeting.

Ending: Staff asked council members for questions and said they will bring the resolutions forward for council consideration after public-notice requirements and final legal review are complete.","City staff described two resolutions that will authorize design-phase engineering contracts: a Phase 1 Georgia Avenue traffic calming project funded with CPST4 and a Crestview-Woodlawn drainage improvement design contract with Thomas & Hutton estimated at approximately $60,000. No council vote was recorded during the study session.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6709540,"North Augusta finance reports utility-billing operations returning to normal; billing schedule to normalize by August",90,5413000,5503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e&start=5413&end=5503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383722-2293556a5091177b58a6c74012d3932e/thumbnail_5413000.jpg","/articles/6709540/North-Augusta/Aiken-County/South-Carolina/North-Augusta-finance-reports-utility-billing-operations-returning-to-normal-billing-schedule-to-normalize-by-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709540-dd3d1a5269997bb178deb4f9d9a1f186/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196283&Signature=O095-57~UO0DwtjGkJDjAVnvVtDLsn~WhFtAiT5ZjElxCeA9IY1A48jWuvVj2hi842scIXAuOBzKM~cBPLGvENPgwBKaprCeWtZpq-hn5ESk1f8TzxqNjkeWuAvYAfp5rr3ZsPXKu8sqp8n7N~K4aRaSc1WsNOOA1~VV1l47A6LIJhMVhoXWUUjCwXTslVaLjd-i21pwCtu6wby~p9se3ZjmwvKzujcOJ4E-Q9UTGDDrdsJGbPWEWgO0m~n3Pb2HwzAsFU-a8WLo7jQq2hPyGhEYX~sYuR7nTYxIaAD7ffrwOSU3wGE0SEo17AOxKZnuRt6rlki9YeXshaDyg4wzPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff updated the North Augusta City Council study session on utility-billing operations and said they expect to return to the regular billing cycle by August.

Finance staff reported the city mailed June 25 bills last week; those bills carry a due date of Aug. 1. Staff said the July 10 bills are scheduled to be mailed Friday, July 18. The city expects to return to its regular two-month billing cycle (the 10th and 25th of each month) by August and will continue to address outstanding issues in the coming weeks.

On enforcement and fees: Staff said they are not yet ready to resume discussion of late fees or service disconnections. \"I really want to make sure we get back into a normal cycle, let that burn in for 30 days, and then we'll have an open discussion about where we're gonna go from there,\" the finance presenter said.

City administrator Jim Clifford said the staff would share additional updates at next week's meeting and post related information on the city's Hurricane Helene webpage. Staff encouraged residents with billing or service concerns to use the customer-service line in the meantime.

Ending: Finance staff will return to the council with further updates after completing stabilization of billing operations and before discussing any enforcement policy changes.","Finance staff said the city sent June 25 bills last week (due Aug. 1) and will mail July 10 bills July 18, with plans to return to the regular billing cycle by August. City leaders said they will not discuss late-fee or shutoff policy changes until billing operations stabilize.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State Office of Resilience outlines Hurricane Helene recovery programs, opens local intake office in Aiken County

North Augusta to sample Brick Pond after fish kills and algae observed; waterfall pumps to be replaced

City staff preview engineering contracts for Georgia Avenue traffic calming and Crestview-Woodlawn drainage

North Augusta finance reports utility-billing operations returning to normal; billing schedule to normalize by August