Asheville City Council
May 28, 2019
Regular meeting
Budget and taxesOther City businessPublic safetyWaterHousing
The short version
12 decisions: 10 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 2 voted on separately. 2 votes split.
- Council approves the selection of Harrah’s Cherokee, an Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as the naming rights partner.
Council voted to approve the selection of Harrah’s Cherokee, an Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as the naming rights partner for the Asheville Civic Center. It also approves the City Manager to direct City Staff to initiate the steps necessary to enter into a naming rights license agreement with them pursuant to N.C.G.S. 160A-272.
Passed. Voted no: Julie Mayfield.
- Council rezones 99999 Verda Vista Circle, with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).
Council voted to rezone 99999 Verda Vista Circle, with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).
Passed. Voted no: Keith Young.
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. Voted no: Julie Mayfield.
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Council voted to approve the selection of Harrah’s Cherokee, an Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as the naming rights partner for the Asheville Civic Center. It also approves the City Manager to direct City Staff to initiate the steps necessary to enter into a naming rights license agreement with them pursuant to N.C.G.S. 160A-272.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Includes a total of $750,000 in addition to the licensing fee in the first year for fan experience improvements and video board installation.”
Passed. Voted no: Keith Young.
What's planned: “The construction of a new building and site upgrades”
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Council voted to rezone 99999 Verda Vista Circle, with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).
- Condition: “10% (6 units) affordable for 20 years”
- “Urban Planner Jessica Bernstein said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone property located on 99999 Verda Vista Circle from Commercial Industrial District to Residential Expansion/Conditional Zoning for the construction of a 56-unit multi-family residential building.”
- “The project site consists of a 3.21 acre parcel located at 99999 Verde Vista Circle (PIN 9658.52-9309) that is owned by Pike Real Estate Development, LLC.”
- “The proposed four-story building contains 56 dwelling units and is approximately 66,941 square feet in size.”
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.
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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- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Authorization of a resolution authorizing execution of an installment financing contract for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) vehicles and equipment in an amount not to exceed $4,330,000.”
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.
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Council voted to approve a contract with IBI Group, PC to perform a facility study for the City’s Operations & Maintenance Service Centers, for $278,000.
- What the City says it's for: “The study will inform the City of the potential cost of relocation of O&M centers, help consider various service delivery models, and life cycle costs associated with a new site.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a professional services contract with IBI Group, PC to perform a Facilities Study for the City’s Operations & Maintenance Centers in the amount of $278,000.”
- “The affordable housing bond study has identified that affordable and mixed-income housing is feasible on City-owned property located at 171-179 South Charlotte Street.”
- “Funds a key study critical to implementing the Affordable Housing Bond Program.”
- “Funding would be allocated from the existing budget of the Affordable Housing CIP funds.”
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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- What the City says it's for: “This project will dispose of water treatment plant residuals utilizing land application, which has a high nutrient value and can condition soil for improved fertilization and water retention.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The WRD requests authorization to contract with Bio-Nomic Services, Inc. for the estimated amount of $257,180 plus a 15% contingency in the amount of $38,577 for a total project budget in the amount of $295,757.”
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 adds money to the budget for waste reduction outreach.
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Council voted to add money from N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to the budget for waste reduction outreach.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a budget amendment in the City’s Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $36,000 to program funding from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) for waste reduction outreach in the amount of $30,000, and the City’s match of $6,000 from the Green Savings 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.
- 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.
Council changes a contract to add the modernization of City Hall Elevator #2.
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Council voted to change its contract with the Wooten Company to add the modernization of City Hall Elevator #2.
- What the City says it's for: “The Contract Amendment requested will allow the City to bid Elevator #2 as an Alternate to the Base Bid to be considered for construction if the budget allows.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of an amendment to the professional services contract with The Wooten Company to add the modernization of City Hall Elevator # 2 (center elevator) up to an added cost of $29,820 for design fee and contingency, bringing the total project budget to $122,320.”
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 renews a contract for professional geotechnical and Environmental Engineering services.
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Council voted to renew its contract with Wood Group USA Inc. for professional geotechnical and Environmental Engineering services.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “For the renewal term, these contracts will be established at a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 for the engineering contracts, and $100,000 for the surveying contract.”
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 existing terms of the option state that White Labs has the exclusive option to purchase the adjacent 1.67 acre City-owned parcel for 80% of the fair market value if substantial additional improvements and jobs are committed to by White Labs, or for fair market value if no additional economic benefits are committed.”
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 contract with RSM US LLP for auditing City accounts for fiscal year 2018-2019.
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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.
- 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 amends the membership of the citizens-police advisory committee.
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Council voted to amend the membership of the citizens-police advisory committee.
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 accept the annual flood mitigation actions report which is part of the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis. It also approves the City manager to submit the report for the Community Rating System Program.
- “The premium reduction is in the form of a CRS Class, City of Asheville is currently a Class 8.”
- “DSD staff regularly meets with residents and property owners whom have questions about flooding, impacts to their property, and options for flood mitigation.”
- “Public Works Department has teamed with the Army Corps of Engineers on a flood mitigation project at the Biltmore Avenue bridge which is currently in the design phase.”
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 neighborhood hero
“Councilman Kapoor, liaison to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, was pleased to present Ms. Sophie Dixon with the 2019 Neighborhood Volunteer of the Year Award.”
Proclamation proclaiming May, 2019, as “Jane’s Walk Month”
“Councilman Haynes read the proclamation proclaiming May, 2019, as "Jane’s Walk Month” in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming June, 2019, as “pollination 5-28-19: page 1 celebration month”
“Councilman Young read the proclamation proclaiming June, 2019, as "Pollination Celebration Month" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming June 3-9, 2019, as “Hemp History Week”
“Vice-Mayor Wisler read the proclamation proclaiming June 3-9, 2019, as "Hemp History Week" in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
10 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
State of the Airport 5-28-19
“Page 13 Mr. Lew Bleiweis, Airport Director, briefly updated City Council on the State of the Airport.”
Asheville City Schools Foundation - in Real Life After-School Program
“Tiffany DE’Bellott and Brian Randall, In Real Life Co-Directors, and two students, updated City Council about the In Real Life (IRL) After-School Program.”
MANAGER’S REPORT: Charlotte Street Road Diet and Safety Improvements
“Director of Transportation Ken Putnam explained that the purpose of this presentation is to update City Council and the community on the progress of the Charlotte Street Road Diet Project.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019-20 operating budget
“City Manager Campbell said that this is a public hearing on the City of Asheville Fiscal Year 2019-20 Proposed Annual Operating Budget and inclusion of public input in City Council’s consideration of the budget.”
Public hearing to consider conditional zoning of property located on 99999 Verda Vista Circle from Commercial Industrial District to residential expansion/conditional zone for the construction of a 56-unit multi-family residential…
“Urban Planner Jessica Bernstein said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone property located on 99999 Verda Vista Circle from Commercial Industrial District to Residential Expansion/Conditional Zoning for the construction of a 56-unit multi-family residential building.”
Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 1 South Tunnel Road from regional business district to mixed use expansion/conditional zone to allow a mixed-use development that includes residential, retail, service and…
“At the applicant’s request, Councilman Young moved to continue this public hearing until July 23, 2019.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution approving Harrah’s Cherokee Resort, an Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as the Naming Rights Partner for the Civic Center (currently the U.S. Cellular Center)
“Chris Corl, General Manager of the U.S. Cellular Center, said that he is requesting the selection of one of two bidding companies - U.S. Cellular Inc. or Harrah’s Cherokee Resort, an Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - as the Naming Rights Partner for the Asheville Civic Center and…”
Request to name Police Headquarters in memory of former Police lieutenant walter roberson
“Announcement of a request to name Police Headquarters located at 100 Court Plaza in memory of former Police Lieutenant Walter Robertson.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
“Mr. Reid Thompson, Ms. Velvet Hawthorne and Mr. Joe Minicozzi spoke regarding commercial traffic on Maxwell Street and the City’s lack of issuing Whole Foods a Notice of Violation.”
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.