Council approves design contract for East Fire Tower drainage project; FEMA BRIC construction funding in flux

Greenville City Council on Monday approved task order 1 to hire Kimberly Horne and Associates for final design of drainage improvements and stream restoration at East Fire Tower Road and accepted an additional $1.5 million in state disaster relief funds, while staff warned that a larger federal BRIC construction grant remains uncertain.

Why it matters: The project addresses a chronic undersized culvert on East Fire Tower Road that contributes to roadway flooding and affects roughly 80–90 residences in the Treetop Circle, East Fire Tower Road and Summer Haven Drive areas. Staff described the scope as twin reinforced concrete box culverts, floodplain benching and related stream restoration.

What the council approved - Task order 1 (final design) for Kimberly Horne and Associates: recommended fee $1,580,000. Council approved the fee and authority to execute the associated Disaster Relief & Mitigation Fund grant agreement for $1.5 million. - Motion: approve task order and execute grant agreement; council voted 5–0.

Grant status and risk Staff explained the city had earlier secured multiple grants: an existing FEMA BRIC award in the $9.2 million range and a signed phase 1 agreement for about $936,000 covering design. However, staff warned that federal BRIC program changes have delayed or canceled some application cycles and that the construction phase…