Asheville City Council
September 22, 2020
Regular meeting
WaterPublic safetyOther City businessHousing
The short version
13 decisions: 9 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 4 voted on separately. 1 vote split.
- Council adopts the budget amendment as presented.
Council voted to adopt the budget amendment as presented.
Passed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, Julie Mayfield, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith.
- Council approves a contract for the Water System Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 5 Part 1 Project.
Council voted to approve a contract with T&K Utilities Inc. for the Water System Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 5 Part 1 Project.
- Council approves The Juna Group Inc. request for a $1.1M in Housing Trust Fund to construct 11 affordable single family homes at the property.
Council voted to approve The Juna Group Inc. request for a $1.1M in Housing Trust Fund to construct 11 affordable single family homes at the property located at Alice Clement Lane in the City of Asheville to be sold to individuals and families at or below 100% AMI.
Passed.
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 N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Year 2 2021 BikeSafe 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.
Council adopts the budget amendment as presented.
Passed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, Julie Mayfield, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith.
More
Council voted to adopt the budget amendment as presented.
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.
Passed.
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Council voted to approve The Juna Group Inc. request for a $1.1M in Housing Trust Fund to construct 11 affordable single family homes at the property located at Alice Clement Lane in the City of Asheville to be sold to individuals and families at or below 100% AMI.
- “All 11 homes are intended to be at least 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and approximately 1300 sq. ft.”
- “Beginning in 2017, Al Clement purchased 4.8 acres, with 2.6 of the acres buildable.”
- “Plans were submitted to the City of Asheville to develop 19 lots on the 2.6 acres.”
Official title
Outcome as recorded in the minutes.
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- “Policing in this country is riddled with huge disparities between Black and White residents.”
- “We were told it was vital that we create a costly new Downtown APD Unit while we already employ the highest number of officers per capita in the state.”
- “Yet each year in spite of evergrowing objections from the community and some Council members, every APD budget has passed as proposed.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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Council voted to extend the temporary moratorium on hotel development approvals within the City of Asheville, including “Hotel, extended stay”, “Hotel, large” and “Hotel, small” as defined in Section 7-2-5 of the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, for five months so that it expires no later than February 23, 2021.
Approved together on the consent agenda
9 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 approve a contract with T&K Utilities Inc. for the Water System Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 5 Part 1 Project.
- What the City says it's for: “This proposed project has been determined to be a critical installation that will increase the water systems reliability by replacing undersized and older waterlines that have high failure rates and also by providing improved water pressure and flow characteristics for domestic service and fire fighting capabilities.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The WRD requests authorization to contract with T&K Utilities, Inc. for the bid amount of $3,810,200 plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $381,020 for a total project budget in the amount of $4,191,220. 9-22-20 Page 3 Vendor Outreach Efforts:”
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 change its contract with CDM Smith Inc. to increase the Water System Distribution Project - phase 2 - Professional Services Contract.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with CDM Smith Inc. in the amount of $699,514 to increase the Water System Distribution Project 2 – Professional Services Contract from a total amount of $884,124 to $1,583,638.”
- “Because of the denial of the NCDOT Encroachment Agreement and subsequent appeal, the proposed water transmission main alignment had to be changed to be outside the NCDOT right-of-way to be installed within private property throughout the project corridor.”
- “The proposed change order request is based on the amended scope.”
- “The funding needed for the professional services agreement is currently allocated within the Water Resources Capital Improvements Project Fund in the Small Waterline Replacement Projects.”
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 Cavanaugh and Associates to develop, facilitate and complete the Request for proposals process for selection of Advanced Metering Infrastructure system.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will be the initial step in updating metering and reading infrastructure that is reaching the end of its useful life cycle.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Move to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a supplemental agreement in the amount of $175,520 with Cavanaugh and Associates to develop, facilitate, and complete the RFP process for selection of a new AMI system and third-party contract installer.”
- “If approved, the proposed services described here within will be developed into a subcontract under the conditions of the master agreement.”
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 contract will provide bi-annual safety applications for playground mulch at 10 playground sites across the City for FY 21.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Synergy Sports Charlotte, LLC in the amount of $132,930.00 and to further authorize change orders up to the contingency amount of $13,293 (10%) for playground mulch and installation.”
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
Council voted to approve a contract with Carolina Specialities Construction LLC for the expansion of the Skyland Fire Department located at 9 Miller Road south to accommodate operational needs for Fire Station #4.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will renovate the existing City owned space to create living quarters and dedicated operations space for Fire and allows the City to completely vacate the Skyland portion of the building.”
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 the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Year 2 2021 BikeSafe Grant.
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Council voted to approve applying for the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Year 2 2021 BikeSafe Grant. It also lets the City accept the money if the grant is awarded.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is 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.
Council renews its contract with Reem’s Creek Fire Department.
More
Council voted to renew its contract with Reem’s Creek Fire Department.
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
Announcement of new councilwoman s. Antanette Mosley
“Mayor Manheimer announced that Buncombe County Chief District Court Judge J. Calvin Hill administered the oath to S. Antanette Mosley earlier in the day.”
CONSENT AGENDA
9 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Manager’s report - 30/60/90 Day Work Plan
“City Manager Campbell gave the following presentation overview (1) On June 9, staff presented a 30/60/90 Day Work Plan and over the past several meetings have updated Council and the community on our work; (2) The 30/60/90 Day Work Plan was developed in response to numerous requests from the Black…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to permanently close a portion of an unopened right-of-way known as Gayle Street: streets
“Division Manager Chad Bandy said that this is the consideration of a resolution to permanently close an unopened right-of-way known as Gayle Street.”
Public hearing to Consider an amendment to a previously approved conditional zoning (Ordinance No. 4785) for properties located at 172 Asheland Avenue, 185 and 99999 Coxe Avenue and 5 federal alaley, for changes to a mixed use…
“Principal Planner Shannon Tuch said that this is the consideration of an amendment to a previously approved conditional zoning (Ordinance No. 4785) for properties located at 172 Asheland Avenue, 185 and 99999 Coxe Avenue and 5 Federal Alley for changes to a mixed-use development zoned Central…”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution approving a $1.1 million Housing Trust Fund Loan to the Juna Group
“Community Development Programs Director Paul D’Angela said that this is a request by The Juna Group Inc. to utilize a Housing Trust Fund Loan of $1.1M to construct 11 affordable single family homes on property located at Alice Clement Lane in the Oakley area.”
Boards & commissions 9-22-20
“Page 24 Regarding the Human Relations Commission, the following individuals applied for the vacancy: Susy Chandler, Melissa Ray, Sam Franklin, Bernie Lee Miller, Veronica Colt, Alexandra DiSclarfani, Britni Worley, Ricky McGrath, Emma Nichole Worthy and Will Overfelt.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on Hotel development for five months due to delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
“Mayor Manheimer said that this public hearing was held on September 8, 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.”
Budget amendment regarding the Fiscal Year 2020-21 annual operating budget
“City Manager Campbell said Assistant Finance Director of Finance Budget & Forecasting Tony McDowell will provide you with an overview of the budget process; give a brief financial update; present the FY 2020-21 Manager’s recommended budget amendment (reimagining public safety; and investment…”
- Vote: Motion to deny the budget amendment because it does not advance our stated goals and instead perpetuates systematic racism when we have a generous call for community healing which includes a demand that 50% of APD’s budget won’t be invested back into the Black communities.
- Vote: Council adopts the budget amendment as presented.
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
“Councilwoman Mayfield thanked City Manager Campbell and City staff for all the work that has gone into this process.”
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.