Special Meeting: Infrastructure Recovery Board (virtual) (Nov 10, 2025)

Recap of Infrastructure Recovery Board Meeting - November 2025

The Asheville City Council's Infrastructure Recovery Board convened a special meeting on November 10, 2025, continuing its work to support the city's recovery efforts following a significant storm (likely Hurricane Helene). As one of four boards established by the City Council, this board’s purpose is to provide input on council policy recommendations and extend communications through member networks, all rooted in the vision of resilience, unity, care, and readiness for the future. The meeting was conducted virtually, with attendance confirmed through a roll call.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on finalizing key operational procedures. The board formally approved its "Rules of Procedure," a document outlining expectations for membership, meeting conduct (including public participation and voting procedures), officer roles (Chair and Vice-Chair), and amendment processes. Following this, the board held elections and adopted a Board Chair and Vice-Chair to lead meetings going forward.

D. Tyrell McGirt delivered a detailed update on the city's ongoing infrastructure recovery projects, focusing heavily on securing and utilizing federal funding from FEMA (Public Assistance - PA, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – HMGP), and HUD Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The presentation highlighted the current status of 56 projects under PA, with $10 million already received in reimbursements. The HMGP program was discussed as a competitive opportunity with $1.4 billion available statewide, and the CDBG-DR program was outlined as a long-term recovery initiative with strict LMI eligibility requirements. The board is actively reviewing HMGP applications and developing program guidelines for CDBG-DR funds, with a focus on maximizing cost recovery within the requirements of each funding source. Large-scale projects, such as the French Broad River Parks Recovery and North Fork Water Treatment Facility, are being addressed through an integrated design approach, developing cost estimates for both basic repair and resilient reconstruction.

A 30-minute public comment period was allocated, with a three-minute time limit per speaker. The board also engaged in an informal discussion about potential future agenda items, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing engagement and proactive planning.

Next Steps & Future Meetings: The board will continue outreach efforts to private property owners regarding HMGP opportunities, finalize program guidelines for CDBG-DR funds, and review ongoing HMGP applications. The next scheduled meeting is January 6, 2026, at City Hall. For further information regarding the board’s activities and initiatives, contact D. Tyrell McGirt at [email protected].