Wilmington City Council holding its first regular meeting for the month of October.
First up, Council approved the reallocation of $1.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund multiple projects.
Included is an increase of funding to the kitchen at the MLK Community Center, which helps address food needs in the Northside food desert.
“This ordinance will appropriate $1 million to the MLK renovation project to fund the teaching kitchen. The initial plan included $500,000 for the kitchen but has since increased to $1 million as the design has neared completion,” said Jennifer Maready, the city’s finance director.
These newly-diverted funds will be used for other projects such as improving the city’s cybersecurity and to funding the newly approved Homeless Assistance Pilot Program.
Next, council approved the purchase of a new stormwater camera system, replacing an obsolete unit. This camera system allows city stormwater crews to inspect the city’s network of storm drainpipes.
“It’s important because we have over 300 miles of storm pipe infrastructure within the city, and that all falls under our responsibility for maintenance and planning purposes. So, it’s important to be able to see inside those pipes and get an idea of their condition,” said Aaron Beckner, senior project manager for the city.
Last year, crews used the cameras to inspect over 9 miles of pipe, identifying blockages and cave-ins, and helping staff to prioritize street resurfacing projects.
City Council will meet again on October 18th at 6:30 pm.
For more on this meeting, visit WilmingtonNC.gov.