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Morganton awards engineering contract for River Village boardwalk, seeks state grant as FEMA reimbursements remain delayed
Summary
The Morganton City Council authorized design and construction services for the storm-damaged River Village boardwalk, approved a $130,000 budget transfer for ongoing Helene recovery work and voted to apply for up to $1 million from a new North Carolina Commerce small‑business infrastructure grant while FEMA reimbursements are still pending.
The Morganton City Council on May 5 approved engineering and construction oversight services and moved to pursue state grant funding as part of ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene.
City Manager Sally Sandy told the council the city had solicited proposals for design, bidding and construction oversight of a River Village boardwalk damaged in the storm and recommended awarding the work to Arete Engineers of Morganton in an amount not to exceed $120,730. “Weare at the next step with our boardwalk,” Sandy said, summarizing the procurement and noting Areteis locally based and has offices adjacent to River Village.
The council approved a master services agreement and a related contract authorizing the mayor or city manager to execute the documents. The motions were adopted by voice vote; council members answered “aye” and the mayor declared the motions passed.
Sandy and staff framed the work as part of a broader recovery effort that is still waiting on federal reimbursements. “We are a month later and we are still waiting for that money,” Sandy said of FEMA and related state reimbursements the city has submitted; she said two items previously approved by FEMA remained unpaid. With reimbursements delayed, staff asked the council to pursue a new North Carolina Commerce Small Business Infrastructure Program grant to speed repairs that restore access for small businesses.
Planning and staff told the council the Commerce program is first‑come, first‑served, allows awards up to $1,000,000 to local governments (no match required) and requires projects to restore or increase access for impacted small businesses with 150 or fewer employees. The city identified the River Village boardwalk as a qualifying project and asked for authorization to apply; the motion to authorize staff to submit an application and to allow the mayor or city manager to execute documents passed by voice vote.
Council also approved a budget amendment transferring $130,000 from the general fund to the Helene project fund to continue storm-related work. The amendment passed by voice vote.
City staff estimated the total boardwalk repair cost at between $1.5 million and $2.0 million and said the Commerce grant would not necessarily replace FEMA funding but could provide earlier funds to reopen affected storefronts and restaurants while the FEMA process continues. The city is working with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments on the application.
The council also approved a consent‑agenda contract to procure park amenities for the Bethel RePark project with Bars Recreation in a budgeted amount of $240,000 as part of routine business.
The actions conclude with staff returning to the council as design and grant processes proceed and as FEMA reimbursements move through state and federal review.
