Asheville City Council
January 14, 2025
Regular meeting
Helene recoveryWaterOther City businessHousingBudget and taxesHomelessnessPublic safety
The short version
11 decisions: 9 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 2 voted on separately. 1 vote split.
- Council approves a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID).
Council voted to approve a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) for a three year term with two additional one year options for renewal for managing and executing Downtown Business Improvement District operations and services in the maximum first year amount of $1,250,000, less any fees for the collection and distribution of the BID tax; and for future annual amounts to be determined by the established tax rate set by City Council and revenues generated from the BID tax, less any fees for the collection and distribution of the BID tax, as well as additional funds which may be allocated by the City; and to further authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
- Council approves a $512,500 contract for the Burton Street Park Playground and Basketball Court Replacement Project.
Council voted to approve a contract with Patton Construction Group, Inc. for the Burton Street Park Playground and Basketball Court Replacement Project, for $512,500.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council approves a contract worth up to $11.2 million for the Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 7 - Water Distribution Project.
Council voted to approve a contract with Thomas Construction Co. Inc. for the Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 7 - Water Distribution Project, worth up to $11.2 million.
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.
- support for expansion of Asheville Housing Authority from 7 to 11 members
- concern about mass deportation
- disaster relief needs to be a priority and needs more funding
- urge for more assistance for residents displaced from Tropical Storm Helene
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Council approves a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID).
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to approve a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) for a three year term with two additional one year options for renewal for managing and executing Downtown Business Improvement District operations and services in the maximum first year amount of $1,250,000, less any fees for the collection and distribution of the BID tax; and for future annual amounts to be determined by the established tax rate set by City Council and revenues generated from the BID tax, less any fees for the collection and distribution of the BID tax, as well as additional funds which may be allocated by the City; and to further authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to approve a contract with Patton Construction Group, Inc. for the Burton Street Park Playground and Basketball Court Replacement Project, for $512,500.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will relocate and replace the existing playground at the community center in order to allow for NCDOT to expand the parking area.”
- “The City is currently building the capacity for Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), but this takes time.”
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 Thomas Construction Co. Inc. for the Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 7 - Water Distribution Project, worth up to $11.2 million.
- What the City says it's for: “The project will mostly replace existing problematic water lines; which have been identified as a need through a prioritization and master planning process, due to age, pipe failures and future water capacity needs.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The Water Resources Department requests authorization to contract with Thomas Construction Co, Inc for the bid amount of $10,175,349.00 plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $1,017,535.90, for a total amount not to exceed $11,192,884.90 for a term ending at project completion.”
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 the budget by $701,800 for the Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project.
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- What the City says it's for: “The project is meant to replace damage from Tropical Storm Helene and is expected to be fully funded with a mix of insurance and FEMA funds.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of: a budget amendment in the amount of $701,800 in the City’s General Capital Projects Fund which is anticipated to be funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements and insurance funds, for the Municipal Building Roof Replacement 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.
- 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.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with Highland Brewing Company for the purpose of temporary public access to the Gashes Creek Neighborhood, worth up to $325,000.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a license agreement not to exceed $325,000 with Highland Brewing Company for the purpose of temporary public access to the Gashes Creek Neighborhood.”
- “The temporary access has been utilized by Gashes Creek residents as well as numerous agencies as part of the response efforts and continuity of operations, including: NC DOT, MSD, COA (multiple departments) Delivery Companies, School bus access etc.”
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 PC Construction Company to rehabilitate the North Fork and William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plants water purification filters and other associated upgrades, for $314,144.
- What the City says it's for: “This project will be divided into three phases.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Contract with PC Construction Company for the North Fork and William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plants Filter Rehabilitation project for a total of $314,144.00.”
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 emergency contract with Buchanan Pump Service and Supply for the North Fork Water Treatment Plant emergency response for Tropical Storm Helene.
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.
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Council voted to increase the membership of the Asheville Housing Authority from seven to eleven commissioners.
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 an agreement with Buncombe County.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with Buncombe County to provide $624,000 from the Community Development Block Grant-Declared Disaster Recovery Fund grant for rental assistance to the City of Asheville residents via the County’s Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant program.
- “The county received 5,826 applications for housing assistance. 3,867 (66%) of the applicants were residents of Asheville and 4,479 (77%) requested rental assistance.”
- “Quality Affordable Housing”
- “Newly received CDBG grant funds will be quickly distributed to City residents who meet the program’s eligibility criteria.”
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 sets the schedule for the 2025-26 budget.
More
Council voted to set the schedule for the 2025-26 budget.
- “Formal presentation of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget on May 13, 2025.”
- “A public hearing on the Proposed Budget on May 27, 2025.”
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 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
9 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Manager’s report
“Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Overview Steve McGugan, Assistant Director - Hazard Mitigation from the NC Dept. of Public Safety explained that the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is 1 of 4 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants provided by FEMA, focused at providing post-disaster…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the Asheville Downtown Community Improvement District for delivery of Downtown Business Improvement District Services
“Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said that this is the consideration of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District for delivery of downtown Business Improvement District services.”
Public hearing to consider zoning text amendments to chapter 7 of the Code of ordinances to Better align Existing City regulations with the North Carolina State Building Code
“Mayor Manheimer said that because Assistant City Manager Ben Woody is scheduled to meet with the Council of Independent Business Owners, and property owners later this week, City Council will listen to staff’s presentation and hold the public hearing; however, they will not vote until the January 28 meeting.”
NEW BUSINESS
Boards & commissions
“Vice-Mayor Mosley, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency Board. 1-14-25 Page 27 Evan Couzo resigned as a member of the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Board effective November 14, 2024,…”
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.