Asheville City Council
October 23, 2018
Regular meeting
Streets and transitOther City businessWaterPublic safetyHousing
The short version
16 decisions: 15 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 1 voted on separately.
- Council approves an agreement for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacement & structural.
Council voted to approve an agreement with Carolina Cornerstone Construction Inc. for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacement & structural.
The short version is picked by a fixed rule, never by the order of the minutes: split votes and failed motions first, then changes to a program, a service or who qualifies, then the largest amounts, then budgets, zoning, laws and fees. Schedules, appointments, event permits and tax refunds come last.
The recording and the record
What changes
Only what the record supports for each item, and what's still pending.
- Council approves applying for $100,000 from Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta “community hero” program for down payment loans.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for a grant for transportation planning.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the fiscal year 2019-20 N.C. Department of Transportation apprenticeship grant and enter into the agreement.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the fiscal year 2019-20 N.C. Department of Transportation internship grant and enter into the agreement.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the following three Federal Emergency Management Agency grants: (1) Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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- “As the proposed amendments only concern landscaping requirements, staff determined that review by the Technical Review Committee was not warranted.”
Approved together on the consent agenda
15 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council accepts grant money from the U.S. Department of Justice 2018 Bulletproof Vest Partnership.
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- What the City says it's for: “The funding will enable the purchase of 87 bulletproof vests over the next 2 years.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The budget amendment is necessary to authorize the full project budget amount of $64,815.00 in the Special Revenue Fund.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
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Council voted to approve an agreement with Carolina Cornerstone Construction Inc. for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacement & structural.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will replace the leaky roof at the Mills River WTP, make much-needed structural repairs and improvements, and make it easier to access and replace chemical storage tanks, which are housed inside the plant.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Carolina Cornerstone Construction, Inc. (Asheville, NC) - bid $1,932,782 Following a review of the bids by City Staff and the project engineers, GHD Consulting Services, Carolina Cornerstone Construction, Inc., was selected as the lowest responsible, responsive bidder for the bid amount of $1,932,782.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council accepts grant money for the high intensity drug traffic area 2018 Grant.
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- The money, in the minutes' words: “On August 28, 2018, City Council approved Resolution 18-197 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement to accept grant funds under the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy in the amount of $19,000.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council changes the budget for Development Services Technology Project.
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- The money, in the minutes' words: “10-23-18 Page 3 Summary: The consideration of a budget amendment in the amount of $100,000 to allocate revenue collected in the Development Services Technology Project to fund contracted services and supplies.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Budget amendment:
- A change to the City's spending plan after it's passed. It adds money that came in, or moves money to a new use.
Who it's for: Households earning up to 20% of the area median income: up to $20,480 a year for a family of four, or $14,340 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
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Council voted to approve applying for $100,000 from Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta “community hero” program for down payment loans to enable law enforcement officers, firefighters, other first responders, and public school teachers earning between 81% and 120% (as published by HUD) of area median income (AMI) to purchase a home under locally structured Partnerships.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- “This Initiative will support Council’s 2036 Vision of An Equitable and Diverse Community, A Thriving Local Economy and Quality Affordable Housing.”
- “Pro: This FHLB Initiative will assist local eligible employees,with household incomes of 81-120% AMI, purchase a home within City limits through down payment assistance.”
- “To serve law enforcement officers, firefighters, other first responders, and public school educators earning between 80% and 120% (as published annually by HUD) of area median income (AMI) to purchase a home under locally structured partnerships within City limits.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Official title
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What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council approves applying for a grant for transportation planning.
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Council voted to approve applying for the fiscal year 2019-20 metropolitan Transportation planning grant, Section 5303 of the Federal Transit Administration and enter into the agreement for transportation planning.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The anticipated grant funding and the City’s local match in the amount of $7,500 are budgeted annually in the Transit Services Fund budget.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Fiscal year:
- The City's budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The grant funding and the City’s local match in the amount of $3,749.80 will need to be budgeted in the Transportation Department’s budget for FY 20.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Fiscal year:
- The City's budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The grant funding and the City’s local match in the amount of $1,755.40 will need to be budgeted in the Transportation Department’s budget for FY20.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Fiscal year:
- The City's budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
More
Council voted to acquire an easement from Buncombe County for the installation and maintenance of parking availability sign.
- What the City says it's for: “This easement will ease congestion on Haywood Street that is caused by motorists trying to turnaround when the parking garage is full.”
- “This parcel has .61 acres and the entrance on Haywood is actually the third floor of the building.”
- “The City will be requesting a permanent easement from the County for 520 square feet or .012 acres.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council submits fiscal year 2018-19 Emergency Solutions Grant application.
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Council voted to submit fiscal year 2018-19 Emergency Solutions Grant application. It also accepts any funds subsequently awarded.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Fiscal year:
- The City's budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Council states its support for proactive stance on how Opportunity Funds will affect our local.
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Council voted to state its support for proactive stance on how Opportunity Funds will affect our local. This states Council's position.
- “Census Tract 20 Staff has an internal working group that is communicating with local developers and business owners that the City has these census tracts designations that can assist with funding, especially when it comes to affordable housing, business expansion, job creation and building rehabilitation.”
- “Staff will work with CAPE to insure that those residents affected by Opportunity Zones, as well as investors and other interested parties, are aware upon public release of these published regulations as well as a link for public comment.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Resolution:
- A resolution like this states Council's position. It doesn't change a law or spend money by itself.
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Council voted to approve a contract with AAR of North Carolina Inc. to replace the roof and perform related construction activities at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Center.
- What the City says it's for: “The project will replace the roof of the whole building with components including new insulation to meet current energy code, positive drainage in all areas, 20 year roof warranty, fall protection system, building envelope masonry repairs, cleaning and sealing.”
- “Project funding was approved by City Council in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP Project B1801), and the proposed expenditures are within the available budget.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
Council voted to approve applying for the following three Federal Emergency Management Agency grants: (1) Assistance to Firefighters Grant; (2) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant; and (3) Fire Prevention and Safety Grant; and enter into said agreements.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- What the City says it's for: “The grant would allow a much-needed infusion of protective gear”
- “The three programs are all administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and awarded after several different reviews, with the final decision being made by fire service members who review all the applications based upon the proposed expected outcomes and community needs.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council establishes a 100% Renewable Energy goal for the City of Asheville.
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Council voted to establish a 100% Renewable Energy goal for the City of Asheville.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Everything on the agenda
From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.
PROCLAMATIONS
Recognition of florence responders: acting
“City Manager Ball said that Hurricane Florence had an extreme impact in Eastern North Carolina and quickly overwhelmed the cities and counties of that region.”
CONSENT AGENDA
15 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Citizens Survey results
“Communication & Public Engagement Director Dawa Hitch presented the following citizen survey results. “The National Citizen Survey™ is a statistically valid survey which measures:”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider adoption of the Burton Street Neighborhood Plan: Planning & urban design
“Planning & Urban Design Director Todd Okolichany said that this is the consideration of the adoption of the Burton Street Neighborhood Plan.”
Public hearing to consider an amendment to the Conditional Zoning of 190 Hominy Creek Road for the Buncombe County Transfer Station landscape plan and conditions to accommodate environmental conditions of the site and limitations by the…
“Urban Planner Sasha Vrtunski said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to amend the conditional zoning of 190 Hominy Creek Road for the Buncombe County Transfer Station landscape plan and conditions to accommodate environmental conditions of the site and limitations by the State of North Carolina.”
Public hearing to consider the Conditional Zoning of 324 Biltmore Avenue from Regional Business District to lodging expansion/conditional zone for the construction of a 7-story, 103 room hotel: urban
“Planner Jessica Bernstein said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone 324 Biltmore Avenue from Regional Business District to Lodging Expansion/ Conditional Zone for the construction of a 7-story, 103 room hotel.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
“Mr. Roger Sharpe spoke to Council about the lack of maintenance at the bus station and bus stops.”
Most summaries are written by fixed rules from each item's official title. Some are written by hand, and every number and name in them is checked against the minutes. Every item shows its official title. Procedural motions, like approving the agenda or adjourning, are left out.