Asheville City Council
September 13, 2022
Regular meeting
WaterOther City businessPublic safetyStreets and transitHousing
The short version
21 decisions: 12 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 9 voted on separately. 4 votes split.
- Council rezones 645 Brevard Road, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community Business II (CBII).
Council voted to rezone 645 Brevard Road, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community Business II (CBII).
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
- Council rezones 651 Brevard Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community 9-13-22 Page 25 Business II (CBII).
Council voted to rezone 651 Brevard Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community 9-13-22 Page 25 Business II (CBII).
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
- Council approves the application and acceptance of the grant.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
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 and enter into an agreement with the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program for the 2023 BikeSafe Grant.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the and enter into an agreement with the office of National Drug Control Policy.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
What residents raised
The topics public speakers raised, as the minutes list them. These are residents' comments, not findings.
- disparity of property tax administration
- September 21 as International Day of Peace
- results from Ingle’s community meeting for plans of retail area in Shiloh
- need for dedicated pickleball courts in Asheville
- bad design for bike lanes on College Street
- Weaver Park hazard
- Patton Avenue corridor timing
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to rezone 645 Brevard Road, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community Business II (CBII).
- What the City says it's for: “The purpose of the CBII zoning district is, “to provide areas for medium-to-high-density business and service uses serving several residential neighborhoods,” as well as, “designed to be located primarily along minor and major thoroughfare streets which serve multiple residential neighborhoods.””
- “The rezoning petition consists of a single property totalling 0.74 acres located at 651 Brevard Road (PIN 9627-93-8039).”
- “The property is currently zoned Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) and is located within Manufactured Housing Community Overlay (MH-CO) and Manufacturing Housing Overlay (MH-O) districts.”
- “The land use of the property is currently a single-family house.”
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.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to rezone 651 Brevard Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Community 9-13-22 Page 25 Business II (CBII).
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 approves the application and acceptance of the grant.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
- What the City says it's for: “The purpose of the HIDTA program is to reduce drug trafficking and especially production in the United States, specifically in areas where drug-related activities are having a significant harmful impact.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Page 14 Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution to apply for and accept the 2022 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant on behalf of the Asheville HIDTA branch; and adopt a budget amendment in the City’s Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $204,638.”
- “This unit does not focus on, or adopt cases, that are for simple possession, but focuses only on cases that deal in trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution of illegal drugs.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to adopt a budget amendment from the Dogwood Health Trust ARPA Advantage Affordable Housing funding to the City’s Special Revenue Fund, in the amount of $1,600,000.
Council changes the budget to appropriate the funding.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
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.
Council approves a $1.6 million agreement with Dogwood Health Trust.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: The consideration of (1) a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement with Dogwood Health Trust; and (2) the associated budget amendment from the Dogwood Health Trust ARPA Advantage Affordable Housing funding to the City’s Special Revenue Fund, in the amount of $1,600,000.”
- “In May 2022 the City of Asheville responded to a request for proposals from the Dogwood Health Trust to leverage the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that the City is investing in affordable housing.”
- “Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) and Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries (ABCCM) applied for ARPA funding for affordable housing projects.”
- “The City Council’s ARPA allocations awarded partial funding to the affordable housing projects submitted by Asheville Habitat for Humanity and ABCCM.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with Homeward Bound for street outreach services for a period of one year, with the option to renew for four additional one year periods, subject to budget approval and availability.
- “Response, training, and education to downtown businesses and residents impacted by the presence of people experiencing homelessness;”
Council amends the Rules of Procedure for Boards & Commissions.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to amend the Rules of Procedure for Boards & Commissions to include a Remote Meeting Policy for advisory boards and commissions appointed by City Council, with the amendment that prioritization will be given to archiving a video or audio recording of the committee meeting and the pursuit of hybrid options for advisory boards.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to amend the Asheville City Council Rules of Procedure to include a Remote Attendance Provision for the Council and its Council committees.
Approved together on the consent agenda
12 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council changes a contract for the Broadway Public Safety Station Project.
More
Council voted to change its contract with ADW Architects for the Broadway Public Safety Station Project.
- What the City says it's for: “This facility will enhance Fire service coverage in the identified areas.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute contract amendments with ADW Architects, P.A., up to an additional $20,000 in contingency, resulting in a total contract amount of $970,565 to provide services for the Broadway Public Safety Station project.”
- “The resulting electrical and HVAC systems changes may result in additional design fees which staff is currently negotiating.”
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.
Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
More
- What the City says it's for: “The program is designed to assist homeowners of low and moderate income as defined by homeowners earning 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less to assist with the basic life necessities and welfare needs.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “For reference, City residents received payments from this program totaling $90,600 in FY 2021-22.”
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 worth up to $99,026.71 with Brightly Software Inc.
More
Council voted to approve a contract with Brightly Software Inc. for the continued use of their Asset Essential Software for the City’s Facility Maintenance Department work order and asset management Software, worth up to $99,026.71.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a five (5) year contract with Brightly Software, Inc. for the continued use of their Asset Essential software for the City’s Facility Maintenance Department work order and asset management software in a total amount not to exceed $99,026.71.”
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 a contract for the greenway connectors project.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Alta Planning + Design Inc. for the greenway connectors project.
- What the City says it's for: “This project is partially funded using Federal funds.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services contract amendment with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. (Alta) for the project 9-13-22 Page 9 known as the Asheville Greenway Connectors, in the amount of $50,800, increasing the total contract amount to $164,904.90.”
- “Funding for this contract is currently budgeted in the General Capital Projects 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.
More
Council voted to change City law (Section 21-3-4 of the City Code) to remove potential inconsistencies related to connections to the City’s water system.
- What the City says it's for: “The proposed amendment will help clarify exactly what standards the public must adhere to when connecting to the City’s water system.”
- “Staff have identified potential ambiguities that exist between the City’s general and technical water ordinances, and are bringing forward the proposed ordinance amendment to remove any potential ambiguities.”
- “The proposed amendment will clarify that all connections to the City’s water system must comply with certain minimum safety standards, including through the installation of backflow prevention devices.”
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
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution approving the application and acceptance of the grant and a budget amendment in the Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $5,000.”
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.
More
Council voted to approve applying for the and enter into an agreement with the office of National Drug Control Policy for the 2022 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas grant budget amendment from the office of National Drug Control Policy for the 2022 high intensity drug traf.
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.
More
Council voted to amend the Human Relations Commission of Asheville Membership and Appointment process to remove the required number of individuals from the various identified groups and to expand the ist to be more comprehensive of the diverse Asheville community.
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 renames the Senior Opportunity Center at 36 Grove Street to Grove Street Community Center.
More
Council voted to rename the Senior Opportunity Center at 36 Grove Street to Grove Street Community Center.
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 the City says it's for: “The requested contract change orders will allow staff to encumber those amounts in the City’s financial system.”
- “A cross-departmental team of City staff is currently working with Buncombe County to develop a new intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and cost allocation model for PSIP, which has a projected effective date of July 1, 2023.”
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 Appalachian Paving & Concrete Inc. for the 2022 Traffic Calming Project on klondyke avenue, klondyke place, stoner road and mitchell avenue.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will construct speed cushions on Klondyke Ave., Klondyke Pl., Stoner Rd., and Mitchell Ave.”
- “A 2000 Traffic Calming Policy approved by City Council established a protocol for responding to requests from residents for traffic calming installations.”
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 the City of Asheville and Reem’s Creek Fire Department.
More
Council voted to renew its contract with the City of Asheville and 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
Proclamation proclaiming September 2022 as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming September 2022, as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming September 15 - October 15, 2022 as “Latinx Heritage Month”
“Councilwoman Roney read the proclamation proclaiming September 15 - October 15, 2022, as “Latinx Heritage Month” in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming October 25 , 2022 as “International Artists Day”
“Councilwoman Wisler read the proclamation proclaiming October 25, 2022, as “International Artists Day” in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
12 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
MANAGER’S REPORT: Capital Improvement Plan Update
“Capital Projects Director Jade Dundas said that (1) Staff intends to provide quarterly status updates to the City Council on key capital projects; (2) Update on 2016 General Obligation Bond projects (a) Contract award target date summer 2023; and (b) A more detailed financial update on 2016 GO Bond…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider an amendment to the conditional zoning ordinance adopted on october 9, 2018 (Ordinance No. 4702), located at 511 Brevard Road, to remove a restriction on drive-through uses
“This public hearing has been withdrawn by the applicant. 9-13-22 Page 20”
Public hearing to rezone 645 Brevard Road from RS-8 Residential Single-Family High Density District to Commercial Business II District
“Councilwoman Wisler moved to recuse Mayor Manheimer from participating in the two public hearings on the rezonings of 645 and 651 Brevard Road due to a conflict of interest.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement with Homeward Bound for outreach services: Community &
“Economic Development Director Nikki Reid said that this is the consideration of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement with Homeward Bound for street outreach services.”
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept funding from the Dogwood Health Trust American Rescue Plan Act advantage affordable housing funding opportunity: Page 27 advantage affordable housing funding opportunity
“Page 27 ADVANTAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Mayor Manheimer noted that this presentation was covered under the ARPA Manager’s Report presentation.”
Boards & commissions
“Regarding the Audit Committee, since no applications were received, the City Clerk was instructed to re-advertise for the seats.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
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.