Asheville City Council
May 23, 2023
Regular meeting
Streets and transitOther City businessHousing
The short version
14 decisions: 13 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 1 voted on separately.
- Council approves the Land Use Incentive Grant application for Commonwealth Development Corporation / Fairhaven Summit Apartments.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council changes its contract with Walker Consultants.
Council voted to change its contract with Walker Consultants for the engineering of various immediate-priority repairs at the Wall Street, Rankin Avenue, Harrah’s Cherokee Center and biltmore avenue parking garages.
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 residents raised
The topics public speakers raised, as the minutes list them. These are residents' comments, not findings.
- disavow white supremist policies that are still alive today
- presentation of a petition to improve handicapped parking in Asheville’s public garages, including (1) handicapped parking spots must be located at the entrances and exists on the floors near the street as well as near elevators
- (2) all handicapped parking spots need to include wider stalls required for wheelchairs, 5-23-23 Page 29 walkers and scooters to be adequately removed from and loaded into vehicles
- (3) another elevator needs to be added to the Civic Center Garage as a back-up when the current elevator is out of order, which happens often
- (4) signage with phone numbers for assistance needs to be installed in elevator(s) and at all entrances and exits
- (5) surveillance must be installed for the safety of all drivers who use the garage
- Asheville should be proud of what Asheville has to offer to its residents and tourists
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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- What the City says it's for: “The proposed project will provide 77 affordable rental housing units to households earning an average of 60% or less of area median income;”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “For 21 years and 77 affordable units at or below and average 60% AMI, the city will grant back a total of $1,018,132 over the 21 years of the LUIG which equals $13,222 per unit of subsidy which is lower than the estimate of up to $80,000 in subsidy for 80% AMI homes as noted in the LUIG Policy.”
- “The developer is building in a NON QCT, where at least 50% of the households have incomes over 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or a poverty rate under 25%.”
- “Quality Affordable Housing”
- “The proposed project will have an affordability period of thirty (30) years;”
Approved together on the consent agenda
13 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: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Tennoca Construction Company in the amount not to exceed $829,889.00 plus an approximately 10% construction contingency of $83,000.00 for a total not to exceed contract of $912,889.00.”
- “The Onteora Boulevard sidewalk will extend the existing sidewalk near the Lincoln Avenue intersection to Raleigh Rd. an additional .39 miles.”
- “Council Resolution 39-468 authorized changes to the proposed capital budget noting transportation grant funding for Onteora Blvd Sidewalk from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization.”
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 Walker Consultants.
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Council voted to change its contract with Walker Consultants for the engineering of various immediate-priority repairs at the Wall Street, Rankin Avenue, Harrah’s Cherokee Center and biltmore avenue parking garages.
- What the City says it's for: “The services authorized in this amendment will provide the engineered drawings for these repairs.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Walker Consultants for the engineering of various immediate-priority repairs at the Wall Street, Rankin Avenue and Harrah’s Cherokee Center parking garages in an amount not to exceed $90,850.”
- “This work is for the safe and beneficial use of City parking facilities by City residents and visitors.”
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 Sulphur Springs Road resurfacing project.
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Council voted to change its contract with French Broad Paving Inc. for the Sulphur Springs Road resurfacing project.
- What the City says it's for: “The work will be a further disruption to a neighborhood that has experienced a significant amount of construction recently.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with French Broad Paving, Inc. in the amount of $55,000.00 for the Sulphur Springs Road Resurfacing 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.
Council changes a contract for the fiscal year 2023 utility cut Concrete repair project.
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Council voted to change its contract with Appalachian Paving & Concrete Inc. for the fiscal year 2023 utility cut Concrete repair project.
- What the City says it's for: “This program is an enterprise fund that is supported by the participation and work generated by partner agencies (Metropolitan Sewerage District, Dominion Energy, City of Asheville Water Resources, and City of Asheville Stormwater Division).”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment in the amount of $29,000.00 for the FY23 concrete repair contract with Appalachian Paving and Concrete, Inc., and the associated budget amendment in the Street Cut Utility 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.
- 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.
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Council voted to set new speed limits, including 15 miles per hour on Wells Avenue from Brevard Road to Fairfax Avenue.
- “City staff received requests from residents to consider changes to speed limits.”
- “The speed limit on Wells Avenue will be set at 15 miles per hour.”
- “The speed limit on East Street will be set at 20 miles per hour.”
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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- “Other options are available but start-up of a new program would create higher costs and more work on staff to build a new software platform that is currently working.”
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 lease with Asheville Greenworks for a tree nursery on Hardesty Lane.
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- What the City says it's for: “This lease agreement will not significantly impact future use of this property, including any opportunity to generate additional lease revenue.”
- “The City owns property at 80 Hardesty Lane (9668-31-9966) that consists of approximately 33.48 total acres.”
- “A portion of the property has been leased in the past for an organic farm, but it is currently unoccupied.”
- “Asheville Greenworks has proposed a growing area comprising approximately 1.30 +/- acres, where they will plant native trees that will be provided free of charge for public spaces.”
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 sign and approve the update to the City of Asheville Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan to be consistent with the requirements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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 City’s local match for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 Section 5307 Urban Transit funding was previously budgeted; the City’s local match for FY 2021-22 JARC and 5310 funds is included in the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget.”
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 support the N.C. Department of Transportation in funding, designing, and constructing a right-turn lane and pedestrian improvements at the intersection of saris road and Sand Hill Road. 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.
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Council voted to affirm the right of all North Carolinians to safe and comprehensive reproductive health care. 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.
Council allows alcohol at the Asheville hola.
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Council voted to let people have and drink alcohol at the Asheville hola on June 10, 2023.
- What the City says it's for: “This resolution will allow the Harrah’s Cherokee Center to efficiently purchase the needed parts required to repair and maintain the Telescopic seating system installed in 2011.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the amendment to the contract with Bypass Mobile/ Clover for the purchase of additional equipment at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville for a new total contract amount not to exceed $209,537.57.”
- “Hardware units have become outdated and lack functionality.”
- “Current portable hardware units are wifi capable only, with no hard wired options.”
- “Proposed new units are all hard wire capable, allowing for faster transaction times, direct connectivity to inventory control, more secure transactions and a more user friendly interface.”
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 its meeting schedule to add a council retreat follow-up worksession at 2:00 P.M. in the council chamber, located on the 2nd floor of city hall.
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 May 21-27, 2023, as “National Public Works Week”
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming May 21-27, 2023, as "National Public Works Week” in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming June 2023 as Pollination Celebration! month
“Councilwoman Turner read the proclamation proclaiming June 2023 as “Pollination Celebration!”
CONSENT AGENDA
13 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider approving a Land Use Incentive Grant for 46 Aston Street
“Councilwoman Ullman moved to continue this public hearing until June 27, 2023.”
Public hearing to consider approving a Land Use Incentive Grant to Commonwealth Development Corporation for 77 Affordable Housing units at 3124/3130 Sweeten Creek Road
“Affordable Housing Officer Sasha Vrtunski said that this is the consideration of approving a land use incentive grant (LUIG) to Commonwealth Development Corporation for 77 affordable housing units at 3124/3130 Sweeten Creek Road/Fairhaven Summit Apartments.”
Public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Operating Budget
“Budget Manager Taylor Floyd said that this is the consideration of a public hearing on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Annual Operating Budget and inclusion of public input in City Council’s consideration of the budget.”
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.