Asheville City Council
April 9, 2019
Regular meeting
Streets and transitOther City businessHousingHomelessnessBudget and taxes
The short version
14 decisions: 10 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 4 voted on separately.
- Council changes a contract to complete the HVAC & Mechanical Modernization phase for the U.S. cellular Center facility renovation & HVAC Modernization project.
Council voted to change its contract with J. Brady Contracting Inc. to complete the HVAC & Mechanical Modernization phase for the U.S. cellular Center facility renovation & HVAC Modernization project.
- Council rezones 3 Avon Road, with conditions, from Community Business I (CBI) to Community Business I Conditional Zone (CBI CZ).
Council voted to rezone 3 Avon Road, with conditions, from Community Business I (CBI) to Community Business I Conditional Zone (CBI CZ).
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council changes the City's fees and charges.
Council voted to change the City's fees and charges for fiscal year 2019-20.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
What's planned: “The construction of a new library building and site upgrades”
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Council voted to rezone 3 Avon Road, with conditions, from Community Business I (CBI) to Community Business I Conditional Zone (CBI CZ).
- “The project site consists of a 1.8 acre portion of a single parcel located at 3 Avon Road (PIN 9658.87-7320) that is owned by the City of Asheville.”
- “The new building will be a single story in height.”
- “The proposed CB1 CZ zoning would be applied to only the rear portion of the site and excludes the frontage along Tunnel Road, which contains the Fire Station No. 8 building.”
What that means
- Conditional zoning:
- Zoning for one property with conditions the owner must follow, such as a site plan or a cap on size.
Council changes the City's fees and charges.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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Council voted to change the City's fees and charges for fiscal year 2019-20.
- “Proposed fee adjustments for FY 2019-20 include minor adjustments in the General Fund, along with continued incremental annual increases to Water and Stormwater rates.”
- “All of the proposed fee adjustments would become effective July 1, 2019, with the exception of changes to the charges on the combined utility bill for water and stormwater, which will become effective September 1, 2019.”
- “Small increase in the annual costs to Asheville residents and customers.”
What that means
- 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 approves a lease with Buncombe County for the East Asheville Library.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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- What the City says it's for: “The lease with LEAF will expire at the end of June 2019.”
- “The City of Asheville owns a 2.76 acre parcel at 902-904 Tunnel Road and several uses are contained within the site (PIN 9658-87-7320-00000).”
- “The existing library and community center would be demolished and new facilities rebuilt within the proposed lease area.”
- “The new library would be a 14,800 square foot, one story complex and would include multi-use areas for different age groups, staff offices, a large meeting room, parking and a cafe.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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Council voted to amend the City of Asheville Standard Specifications and Details Manual to add a new "Section 11.
- “While FCC Order number 18-133 is currently being challenged in court by a number of municipalities across the county, City staff believes prudence requires that the City issue its aesthetic standards prior to the April 15, 2019 deadline.”
- “Proposes basic standards that would “conceal” installations designed to improve aesthetics over what could occur if left unregulated.”
Approved together on the consent agenda
10 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
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Council voted to change its contract with J. Brady Contracting Inc. to complete the HVAC & Mechanical Modernization phase for the U.S. cellular Center facility renovation & HVAC Modernization project.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the contract with J. Brady Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $3,378,130 to complete the HVAC & Mechanical Modernization phase of the U.S. Cellular Center Improvements project; and to adopt the associated budget amendment.”
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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- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Allison Contractors, LLC for the construction of bus shelters, concrete pads and attached sidewalk at some locations in the amount of $116,969.00 plus a 10% contingency of $11,696.00.”
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.
- Bonds:
- Bonds are loans the City pays back over many years, with interest.
Who it's for: Households earning up to 60% of the area median income: up to $61,440 a year for a family of four, or $43,020 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
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Council voted to allow Mountain Housing Opportunities to refinance the development known as Eagle Market Place by modifying the lien positions and maturity dates of City of Asheville loans. It also amends Deed restrictions existing on Affordable Housing units.
- “The proposed new lien priorities (Bellwether Loan replaced TD Bank Loan): 1.”
- “Per City Council vote on November 10, 2015, the Eagle Market Place project was modify the amount and type of its affordable housing units.”
- “The original agreement included 62 units for households at or below 60% of AMI.”
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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- “The Committee proposes amending its Bylaws to replace the provision in Article VIII with a new provision regarding Parliamentary Authority.”
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 an agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation.
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Council voted to approve an agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation for the City to accept the responsibility to provide vegetation control on property adjacent to the intersection of West Haywood Street and Park Avenue North.
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
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
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
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 a resolution making.
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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.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with Duke Energy Progress Inc. and Maple Crest LLC for demolition, improvements and other construction related activities at 319 Biltmore Avenue.
- “The City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Duke Energy in January 2017 for property located at 319 Biltmore Avenue and later entered into an Option to Purchase the property in October 2017 in order to redevelop the property for an affordable, mixed income community.”
- “In 2018, the City developed site concepts and performed pro-forma analysis for affordable housing on 319 Biltmore and is taking next steps to market the site for redevelopment.”
- “The site is one of the “High Impact Sites” included within the Affordable Housing Bond program.”
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
Walk Friendly Community Award
“Grace Curry, and other members from the Bike/Pedestrian Task Force, presented the City of Asheville with the Walk Friendly Community Award.”
Proclamation proclaiming April, 2019, as “Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month”
“Vice-Mayor Wisler read the proclamation proclaiming April, 2019, as "Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming April 22, 2019, as “Earth Day”
“Councilwoman Mayfield read the proclamation proclaiming April 22, 2019, as "Earth Day " in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
10 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Water system update
“Director of Water Resources David Melton provided Council with an update on the water discoloration test results, noting communication improvements moving forward.”
PARKING AT MEMORIAL STADIUM/MCCORMICK FIELD/MOUNTAINSIDE PARK 4-9-19: Page 17 Director of Parks and Recreation Roderick Simmons and
“Transportation Director Ken Putnam provided Council with an update on parking at Memorial Stadium/McCormick Field, and responded to Council’s questions raised.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider Conditional Zoning on property located at 3 Avon Road from commercial business i District to commercial business i/conditional zone for the construction of a new Buncombe County East Asheville Library Branch…
“Urban Planner Jessica Bernstein said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone property located at 3 Avon Road from Community Business I District to Community Business I District/Conditional Zone for the construction of a new Buncombe County East Asheville Library Branch building.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a ground lease with Buncombe County for the East Asheville Library located on city-owned property at 902 Tunnel Road: real estate program
“Director Nikki Reid said that this is the consideration of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a ground lease with Buncombe County for the East Asheville Library.”
Ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2019-20 fees & charges
“Assistant Finance Director of Budget and Forecasting Tony McDowell said that this is the consideration of an ordinance amending the fees and charges manual for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20.”
Resolution amending the Asheville Standard Specifications & Details Manual adding microcell technology and aesthetic standards
“Principal Planner Shannon Tuch said that this is the consideration of a resolution to amend the City of Asheville Standard Specifications and Details Manual to add a new "Section 11.”
Boards & commissions
“Vice-Mayor Wisler, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Citizens-Police Advisory Committee.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
“Most people are not aware of the fact that counties throughout the nation have Local Boards comprised of citizen volunteers.”
Summaries are written by hand from the minutes, and every number and name in them is checked against the minutes' own words. An item not written yet shows a summary built by fixed rules from its official title. Every item shows its official title. Procedural motions, like approving the agenda or adjourning, are left out.