Repairs to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene are still in progress for two city of Â鶹´«Ã½ parks.
Despite the damage and repairs, Bethel Park still is expected to reopen this fall, Rob Winkler, special project manager for the city, told Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council at a Monday night meeting.
The park has been closed for more than a year for a stream restoration project, which was about 70% complete when Hurricane Helene hit in late September. The city now is trying to get the park back on its pre-hurricane schedule.
“A lot of the damage occurred because of the lack of vegetation and plantings and growth in place,†Winkler said. He said the city plans to get plants in the ground before summer.
Council members approved a $15,000 contract with Wildlands Engineering for storm repair at the park. Winkler said the city will be seeking FEMA reimbursement for the money spent.
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He said city staff still hope the park will reopen in the fall, but there may be some delay on reopening bathrooms there.
Bethel Park remains closed for a stream relocation and restoration project.
At Catawba Meadows, council members approved a contract with Beanstalk Builders to repair the Beanstalk Everyone’s Playground and the Wagon Wheel for no more than $160,650.
City Manager Sally Sandy said work is expected to begin soon and the playground is expected to be restored before summer. The city plans to seek FEMA reimbursement for the repairs.
The city also received a $538,465 check from its flood insurance provider for reimbursements. The council voted to add the money to the city’s Hurricane Helene fund.
Another $200,000 was added to the hurricane fund from the city’s electric fund. Sandy said the money is needed for the purchase of electric equipment damaged during the hurricane.
Sandy also said the city recently found out its first FEMA reimbursement of $844,274 is on the way. She said the money for that reimbursement stems from paying cities for the linemen, trucks and equipment sent to Â鶹´«Ã½ at the height of the hurricane.
The city’s reimbursement for silt removal at the Catawba River Greenway and at the sewer plant also has been approved. Sandy said the city is expecting to receive a check for $116,311.
“The insurance money and now this money are all reimbursing costs that we’ve already incurred, but awfully nice to know that we’ve got some and the rest is on the way,†Sandy said.
Other items approved by the city council Monday night included:
- Moving $60,000 in community development block grant dollars to the city’s small business loan program from the public infrastructure program since there are no infrastructure projects underway.
- A change order worth about $414,103 for work at the Silver Creek Sewer Pump Station. City staff plan to seek FEMA reimbursem
- ent for this.
- Acceptance of a $5,000 grant for the downtown and Main Street department from ElectriCities.
- A $42,500 contract for auditing services with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams and Co., PA.
- A sidewalk maintenance agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for sidewalk and pedestrian facility improvements at U.S. Highway 64 and Conley Street/Community College Drive. NCDOT will be taking over maintenance of the sidewalks.
- A memorandum of understanding with the NC School for the Deaf and Â鶹´«Ã½ Public Safety to continue roles and responsibilities to improve safety for students and school safety training.
- Participation in the Western Piedmont Stormwater Partnership for 2025-27, which will cost $13,122.
- A dark fiber lease agreement with Foothills Broadband for $1,600 per month.
