Asheville City Council
June 9, 2020
Regular meeting
Other City businessStreets and transitPublic safetyHomelessnessHousing
The short version
19 decisions: 16 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 3 voted on separately.
- Council approves applying for the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act Section 5307 urban transit formula funds from the Federal Transit Administration.
Council voted to approve applying for the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act Section 5307 urban transit formula funds, as well as approve the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act fund subrecipient and Suballocation Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration.
- Council approves modifying the agenda to add a new agenda item.
Council voted to approve modifying the agenda to add a new agenda item, which is a joint resolution with Buncombe County to remove the Confederate monuments located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and in Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument, to New Business and that it be considered before the public hearings.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council approves a $148,750 contract to provide FDA-approved COVID-19 antibody and PCR Testing for CIty Employees.
Council voted to approve a contract with Ashewell Medical Group to provide FDA-approved COVID-19 antibody and PCR Testing for CIty Employees, for $148,750.
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 the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act Section 5307 urban transit formula funds from the Federal Transit Administration.
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.
Council approves modifying the agenda to add a new agenda item.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to approve modifying the agenda to add a new agenda item, which is a joint resolution with Buncombe County to remove the Confederate monuments located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and in Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument, to New Business and that it be considered before the public hearings.
- What the City says it's for: “The new item will be a joint resolution with Buncombe County to remove the Confederate monuments located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and in Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to amend the budget schedule to hold the budget public hearing on August 25, 2020, and adoption of the budget on September 8, 2020.
What that means
- 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.
- Public hearing:
- A time at a Council meeting when anyone can speak about the item before Council votes on it.
Council approves a joint resolution with Buncombe County to remove the Confederate monuments.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to approve a joint resolution with Buncombe County to remove the Confederate monuments located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and in Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend the action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument.
Approved together on the consent agenda
16 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
Council voted to approve applying for the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act Section 5307 urban transit formula funds, as well as approve the fiscal year 2020 CARES Act fund subrecipient and Suballocation Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Transportation Department staff is working with all subrecipients on how they will use the funds allocated to them and will submit an application to the FTA in the amount of $8.6 million by June 30, 2020 for approval.”
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 approve a contract with Ashewell Medical Group to provide FDA-approved COVID-19 antibody and PCR Testing for CIty Employees, for $148,750.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The agreement allows for up to 850 city employees to be tested for COVID-19 and its antibodies at $175 per employee and a total of $148,750.”
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 an agreement to provide annual physicals examinations for firefighters.
More
Council voted to change its agreement with Advent Health to provide annual physicals examinations for firefighters.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the terms of the 2019 agreement with Advent Health to provide annual physical examinations for firefighters in 2019 in the amount of $117,300.”
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, after the fact, an agreement with Red Roof Inn for provision of 60 rooms for COVID-19 non-congregate motel shelter for unsheltered at-risk people experiencing homelessness.
- “Funding for the contracts will come from previously approved budget authorization that was approved as part of the Affordable Housing Capital Improvement Program, so no budget amendment is required.”
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.
- After the fact:
- Council approves something the City already did. This often happens in an emergency, when there's no time to wait for a meeting.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Walter P. Moore & Associates to provide professional management for the ongoing work to replace the center stairwell at the harrah’s center parking garage.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The current contract is $85,800 and this amendment will increase the contract by $6,480 (including contingency funds in the amount of $1,080) for a new total contract of $92,280.”
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 waive construction permitting fees in relation to the Asheville ART Museum’s construction of an Exit Passageway at 2 South Pack Square.
- “The construction of the proposed Exit Passageway will promote the safe operation of the City’s facilities.”
- “The basis for this fee waiver request is that the proposed project is intended to, in part, benefit a City-owned property.”
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 its contract with Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design.
More
- “In total the Wilma Dykeman Riverway will provide nearly 10 miles of greenway.”
- “Between this segment and the segment in the RiverArts District nearly 3.5 miles of this greenway will be built by 2021”
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 state its support for the Federal Transit Administration public transportation agency’s safety Plan. This states Council's position.
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.
Official title
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 changes its contract with J. Brady.
More
- What the City says it's for: “This amendment authorizes capital project funds required to close out the HVAC modernization phase of the project.”
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 buy safety protection barriers using sole source procurement from Gillig Aftermarket Parts for installation in existing 18 Gillig buses in Asheville Rides Transit fleet. It buys from a single supplier, without bidding.
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 accept an offer for sale of air rights over Wall Street; directing the City Clerk to advertise for upset bids; and if no bids are received or accepted. It also approves the City Manager to sell air rights to Collaborative Partnership Properties in order that a balcony can be constructed over Wall Street.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “City is receiving unbudgeted compensation for the air rights in the amount of $753.”
- “The City was approached by a local architect concerning air rights over the sidewalk along Wall Street for a unit within a building located at 26 Battery Park.”
- “It was determined that the balcony for the office space unit would be 21 feet long and 5 feet wide for a total request of 105 square feet of air rights that would be needed to accommodate the balcony.”
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
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
Council voted to amend the 2020 city.
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 the annual Flood Mitigation Actions report.
More
Council voted to accept the annual Flood Mitigation Actions report. It also supports the re-certification as a member of the Community Rating System 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.
More
Council voted to acquire property along Federal Alley from the State of North Carolina to facilitate improvements in Federal Alley.
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.
CONSENT AGENDA
16 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Draft I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Committee report: phase 1 - Vertical Aesthetic Treatments
“Director of Transportation Ken Putnam introduced Ted Figura, Chair of the I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Committee.”
Update from the chief of Police
“While we are still facing the many impacts of a global pandemic, we also laid to rest another Black man, Mr. George Floyd, who unfortunately died at the hand of a law enforcement officer.”
City manager update on Fiscal Year 2020-21 interim Budget
“Mayor Manheimer said that we received 1,379 people who called in and left voicemail messages, mostly regarding the budget.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution granting a land use incentive grant for 2 Restaurant Court Rental Community, Beaucatcher Vista LLC
“Mayor Manheimer said that this public hearing was held on May 26, 2020, and in accordance with recent legislation amending North Carolina G.S. § 166A-19.24(e), regarding 6-9-20 Page 32 public hearings conducted during remote meetings, written comments for this public hearing were accepted for an additional 24 hours.”
Resolution granting a land use incentive grant for Tribute Development Collier Avenue Apartments
“Mayor Manheimer said that this public hearing was held on May 26, 2020, and in accordance with recent legislation amending North Carolina G.S. § 166A-19.24(e), regarding public hearings conducted during remote meetings, written comments for this public hearing were accepted for an additional 24 hours.”
NEW BUSINESS
Joint resolution of the City of Asheville and Buncombe County to remove the Confederate Monuments located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and in Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action…
“Mayor Manheimer read the resolution as follows: “WHEREAS, Monuments to Confederate soldiers and military leaders, which were installed in Asheville and many other communities in the South in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries by white Southerners seeking to preserve the Confederacy, are widely…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider an amendment to a previously approved conditional zoning at 1500 Tunnel Road known as “Tru Hotel” to include a free-standing identification sign: urban
“Planner Sasha Vrtunski said that this is the consideration of an amendment to a previously approved conditional zoning at 1500 Tunnel Road known as "Tru Hotel" to include a free-standing identification sign.”
Public hearing to solicit comments for the Community Development block grant and home investment partnership act funds annual action plan for Fiscal Year 2020-21
“Councilman Kapoor moved to continue the public hearing amending the 2019-20 U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Annual Action Plan to allocate funds to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 until July 14, 2020.”
Public hearing to amend the 2019-20 U.S. dept. of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan
“Councilman Kapoor moved to continue the public hearing amending the 2019-20 U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Annual Action Plan to allocate funds to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 until June 23, 2020.”
Public hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget
“Mayor Manheimer said that earlier in this meeting, Councilman Young moved to continue the budget public hearing until August 25, 2020.”
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.