Asheville City Council
May 13, 2025
Regular meeting
Helene recoveryWaterOther City businessHousingPublic safetyBudget and taxesStreets and transit
What it did
- Adopts an initial resolution authorizing the City Manager or the Finance Director to pursue and negotiate on behalf of the City debt financing…Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Lets the City Manager amend the existing Transit Operations and Maintenance Contract between the City of Asheville and radtpdev USA to Extend…Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
- Changes the budget.Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
- Signs a contract with Buncombe County for american with disabilities act Paratransit Services for Fiscal Year 2026.Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
- Votes recorded
- 25
- Voted on separately
- 1
- Routine items, one vote
- 24
- Votes that split
- 0
Why it matters
Regular meetings are where Council votes on laws, the budget, contracts and zoning. Routine items pass together in one vote, called the consent agenda.
The recording
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 11-17, 2025, as “National Police Week” and May 15, 2025, as “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day”
“Councilman Hess read the proclamation proclaiming May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and “May 15, 2025, as “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day” in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming May 15-19, 2025 as “Asheville Beer Week” 5-13-25: page 1
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming May 15-19, 2025, as "Asheville Beer Week" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming May 16-24, 2025 as “Strive Not to Drive Week”
“Councilwoman Roney read the proclamation proclaiming May 16-24, 2025, as "Strive Not to Drive Week" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming May 19-23, 2025 as “Public Works Week”
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming May 19-23, 2025, as "Public Works Week" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaiming May, 2025 as “National Tennis Month”
“Vice-Mayor Mosley read the proclamation proclaiming May, 2025, as "National Tennis Month" in the City of Asheville.”
Proclamation proclaming May 4-10, 2025, as “Professional Municipal Clerks Week”
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming May 4-10, 2025, as “Professional Municipal Clerks Week”.”
CONSENT AGENDA
24 routine items, passed together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Manager’s report
“City Manager Campbell said that today we are celebrating the dedication and excellence of City of Asheville staff and programs that exemplify public service at its best.”
State of the airport: airport
“Director Lew Bleiweis said the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) has experienced a year of extraordinary growth, challenges, and opportunities.”
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual operating Budget
“City Manager Campbell said it is her pleasure to submit to the Mayor and Council the City Manager’s and staff’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing on proposed financing for McCormick Field improvements
“RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO PURSUE AND NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY DEBT FINANCING ASSOCIATED WITH THE $35 MILLION 2025 LIMITED OBLIGATION BONDS FOR MCCORMICK FIELD IMPROVEMENTS Finance Director Tony McDowell said that this is the public hearing on proposed…”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
- concerns of the latest version of the I-26 Connector design
- need for public transit to be built out and preserved
- urge Council’s support by adopting a resolution to save the 45 acres of urban forest at UNC-Asheville and stop the development
- accelerate I-26 Aesthetics Committee
- request for new Housing Authority board appointments meet with the residents and that residents have input into the new Executive Director
- immigration concerns
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “McDowell explained that the notice said the financing was currently expected not to exceed $34 million, but staff is requesting Council to increase the amount to $35 million in order to provide staff with additional flexibility when we issue the debt in June.”
Routine items, passed together
The consent agenda: items Council approves in one vote, without separate discussion. A member can ask to pull an item out for its own vote.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing Transit Operations and Maintenance Contract between the City of Asheville and RATPDev USA to extend the contract for one year and to add $11,800,000 for Fiscal Year 2026.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The project is anticipated to start this summer, and will be complete by early fall.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a budget amendment in the amount of $3,894,000 in the City’s General Capital Projects Fund funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements.”
- “At the end of September 2024, the City of Asheville experienced large-scale devastation and destruction as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that has affected residents, businesses and city-owned property and infrastructure.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Buncombe County for ADA Paratransit Services not to exceed $1,242,622 for Fiscal Year 2026.”
- “Funding to pay for the Paratransit Services contract is included in the proposed Transit Operations Fund for FY26.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adopt a resolution accepting a rescission of $864,334 of 5307 Urban Federal Transit Grant Funds from Buncombe County and include the funds in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transit Operations Fund.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The contract is expected to be fully reimbursed with FEMA Public Assistance funding.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “This resolution seeks to correct this error listing the total not to exceed amount as $375,000, not the previously incorrect amount of $325,000. 5-13-25 Page 17 ○ In addition, COA Public Works provided a repair/replacement estimate to best determine real adjusted cost to restore to condition prior to public use.”
- “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.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Staff seeks Council approval to execute both renewal options and increase the contract amount by up to $146,040 for a total contract amount not to exceed $216,000.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The City entered into a Supplemental Professional Services contract/ Change Order with GH Engineering for Task Order 8-Debruhl Water Treatment Plant Chemical Bulk Storage Project as approved by City Council Resolution No. 24-30 on February 13, 2024 in the amount of $145,000.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The Licensor, has invoiced the City for security services during the contract term-October to December in a total amount of $37,553.62.”
Signs a contract with Enpira to provide carbon emissions tracking services.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “If all 3 annual renewals are used the five year contract total is not to exceed $117,500.”
- “Year 1 contract funding is available in the FY25 Sustainability Budget, year 2 funding is currently budgeted in the FY26 department budget.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “This contract was amended to add an additional amount of $28,500.00 to include a previously omitted invoice and this contract amendment now needs to be ratified.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Move to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to enter into a contract for legislative liaison services with Blanchard, Miller, Lewis, & Isley, P.A. for one year for a total amount of $78,000, with options to extend for an additional two years at a rate of $84,000.00 per year.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement wherein the Town of Black Mountain provides $25,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 to the City in funding support for Route 170 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “Quality Affordable Housing”
- “Income-qualified City residents will receive needed relief for rent that they are behind on and owe for up to 3 months worth of rent payments.”
Lets the Mayor execute the FEMA Community Disaster Loan agreement and promissory note.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This amendment will allow the City of Asheville to receive repayment of its original loan, less any claims made, after July 1, 2025, while maintaining its administrative and oversight role within the fund.”
Resolution appointing Deputy Finance Officers for the City of Asheville.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Establishes a special revenue fund for opioid settlement funds.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Lets the City Manager execute an extension of the tax collection agreement with Buncombe County.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “The lease is currently operating on a month to month basis as provided in the 2022-2023 Lease.”
- “The premises to be leased include the field, stadium, and front parking lot along Buchanan and McCormick, approximately 8.5 acres.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “The Parks & Recreation Department maintains over 87 acres at Riverside Cemetery.”
- “Given the sensitive nature of interments and concerns over the legality of continuing this practice a written agreement is being proposed.”
Changes the contract with Atlantic.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
The plain-language lines are written by fixed rules from each item's official title, which is on each decision's page. Every vote the minutes record is listed; procedural motions, like approving the minutes or adjourning, are left out.