Asheville City Council
June 11, 2024
Regular meeting
Other City businessStreets and transitBudget and taxesPublic safety
The short version
9 decisions: 4 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 5 voted on separately. 3 votes split.
- Council adopts the City budget for fiscal year 2025.
Council voted to adopt the City budget for fiscal year 2025.
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
- Council adopts the second and final reading of an ordinance creating a Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District.
Council voted to adopt the second and final reading of an ordinance creating a Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
- Council adopts the resolution regarding the structure of a Downtown Business District.
Council voted to adopt the resolution regarding the structure of a Downtown Business District, with (1) an amendment to the Public Accountability Section - Section 1 (BID Service Provider) to add the following sentence: “In addition, the selected service provider shall be contractual bound to comply with Federal MWBE subcontracting requirements.
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 residents raised
The topics public speakers raised, as the minutes list them. These are residents' comments, not findings.
- condemn all antisemitism speech
- request for Council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
- transit fares need to be proportionate with the length traveled
- no deliverables seen in the Sustainability Department or the Equity & Inclusion Department
- opposition to the creation of the Business Improvement District
- support for the 6% increase for the Asheville Police Department
- need to increase density on transit corridors
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Council adopts the City budget for fiscal year 2025.
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
More
Council voted to adopt the City budget for fiscal year 2025.
What that means
- 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.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to adopt the second and final reading of an ordinance creating a Downtown Asheville Business Improvement District.
- “A BID may only be established upon a finding by the City Council that the proposed district is in need of one or more of the services, facilities, or functions, as authorized by N.C. Gen.”
Council adopts the resolution regarding the structure of a Downtown Business District.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to adopt the resolution regarding the structure of a Downtown Business District, with (1) an amendment to the Public Accountability Section - Section 1 (BID Service Provider) to add the following sentence: “In addition, the selected service provider shall be contractual bound to comply with Federal MWBE subcontracting requirements.
- “As required by statute, the City shall solicit additional input from residents and property owners within the BID as to the needs of the service district, and hold a public hearing before executing a contract with a service provider for the provision of BID services. 1.2.”
- “Input should be sought from individuals and groups that represent business, residents, and workers.”
- “Prior to the annual report, the BID service provider shall seek input from the property owners, business owners, and residents of the BID regarding service needs for the upcoming year. 1.7.”
Council moves $100,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency.
Passed.
More
Council voted to move $100,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to nonprofits with which members of council are associated (Economic Development Coalition).
Passed.
More
Council voted to move $45,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to nonprofits with which members of council are associated (Sports Commission).
Approved together on the consent agenda
4 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council approves a $269,000 contract with Urban Canopy Works LLC for the Urban Forest Master Plan.
More
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Urban Canopy Works in the amount of $269,000 for the Urban Forest Master Plan.”
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 Utility Cut Concrete Repair project.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Appalachian Paving and Concrete Inc. for the 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), and individual permit fees from other, typically lower volume customers.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Appalachian Paving and Concrete, Inc. in the amount of $250,000.00 for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Utility Cut Concrete Repair 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.
More
Council voted to state its support for two N.C. Department of Transportation projects and authorization to execute associated maintenance agreements - Spot Safety Project to construct sidewalks along sections of Smokey Park Highway and a Spot Mobility Project to extend the southbound right turn lane on US 25 (Hendersonville Road) at NC 146 (Long Shoals Road). This states Council's position.
- What the City says it's for: “The project will include constructing new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks and also, per City of Asheville request, a new ADA-accessible bus pad at the transit stop, which is also being relocated to be closer to the intersection.”
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 approves the month's property tax refunds and releases.
More
Council approved the month's list of property tax refunds and releases.
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.
- Tax refunds:
- State law lets the City pay back or cancel property tax that was charged by mistake or against the law.
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
4 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing to consider conditional zoning of 767 New Haw Creek Road from RS-4 residential single-family medium density district to residential expansion - conditional zone for the purpose of building 95 new single-family housing units
“At the applicant’s request, Councilwoman Turner moved to continue this public hearing until July 23, 2024.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution regarding structure of a downtown Business Improvement District 6-11-24: Page 6
“Councilwoman Ullman provided brief highlights of the following proposed resolution which is presented for consideration: “WHEREAS, the Asheville City Council recognizes the importance of fostering economic growth and enhancing the vitality of local businesses to support Asheville, Buncombe County,…”
Ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Operating budget: Page 12 contribution to nonprofits with which members of Council are associated (Sports Commission)
“Finance Director Tony McDowell said that this is the consideration of (1) Adoption of an ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Budget; (2) Motion to recuse Mayor Manheimer from voting on the attached budget amendment in accordance with N.C. Session Law 2021-191 (S.B. 473) (Economic…”
- Vote: Council adopts the City budget for fiscal year 2025.
- Vote: Council moves $100,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency.
- Vote: Council moves $45,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to nonprofits with which members of council are associated (Sports Commission).
NEW BUSINESS
Boards & Commissions
“Regarding the African American Heritage Commission, no one applied and therefore, the City Clerk’s Office will re-advertise for the seat.”
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.