Asheville City Council
August 26, 2025
Regular meeting
WaterHomelessnessOther City businessHelene recoveryPublic safetyStreets and transitBudget and taxesHousing
The short version
30 decisions: 24 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 6 voted on separately. 5 votes split.
- Council votes down a plan to amend the original motion to instruct City staff to accept the offer of the RWG’s support for the boards who want.
Council voted down a plan to amend the original motion to instruct City staff to accept the offer of the RWG’s support for the boards who want to meet regularly.
Failed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith, Sage Turner, Maggie Ullman.
- Council rezones 587 Haywood Rd, with conditions.
Council voted to rezone 587 Haywood Rd, with conditions, from Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ) to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business I - Conditional Zone (CBI-CZ).
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
- Council rezones 93 & 95 Springside Rd, with conditions.
Council voted to rezone 93 & 95 Springside Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family Medium Density (RS-4) to Residential Single-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone (RS-4 - CZ), with the following two conditions be added to the Project Conditions: (1) The Project will provide a 20'-wide buffer along the western property boundary of lots 1-10, specifically comprised of an undisturbed 10'-wide buffer at the rear of lots 1-10 where tree removal and grading is prohibited, and an additional 10' buffer from the undisturbed buffer to the building envelope.
Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, 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
Jump to a part of the meeting (13 times listed by the City)
These times and titles are the City's own, copied from the video description.
What changes
Only what the record supports for each item, and what's still pending.
- Council approves applying for the restoration of public infrastructure in the Biltmore Village Historic District overlay.
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.
- requested support for solar transportation infrastructure
- suggestion that the City invest in the book “You’ll Pay for This”
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Failed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith, Sage Turner, Maggie Ullman.
More
Council voted down a plan to amend the original motion to instruct City staff to accept the offer of the RWG’s support for the boards who want to meet regularly.
Council rezones 587 Haywood Rd, with conditions.
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
More
Council voted to rezone 587 Haywood Rd, with conditions, from Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ) to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business I - Conditional Zone (CBI-CZ).
- “The project site consists of one parcel totalling 3.26 acres at 587 Haywood Rd (PIN 9638-35-4182).”
- “The project site consists of one property totalling 3.26 acres at 587 Haywood Rd.”
- “The property is currently zoned Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ).”
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 rezones 93 & 95 Springside Rd, with conditions.
Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to rezone 93 & 95 Springside Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family Medium Density (RS-4) to Residential Single-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone (RS-4 - CZ), with the following two conditions be added to the Project Conditions: (1) The Project will provide a 20'-wide buffer along the western property boundary of lots 1-10, specifically comprised of an undisturbed 10'-wide buffer at the rear of lots 1-10 where tree removal and grading is prohibited, and an additional 10' buffer from the undisturbed buffer to the building envelope.
- “The proposed development is slightly higher at 6.0 units/acre.”
- “Mr. Palmquist responded when Mayor Manheimer pointed out that if any applicant builds single family homes at market rate, we will never reach the City’s goal of “increase and diversity of the housing supply” in our Comprehensive Plan.”
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: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to adopt an ordinance amendment to the membership and appointments to the Human Relations Commission of Asheville.
- What the City says it's for: “The proposed amendment will remove subsection (b)(2) in order to ensure compliance with applicable law and consistency with other City ordinances governing board and commission appointments.”
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More
Council voted to amend existing city ordinance 11-5, Public Solicitation and Begging Regulated, expanding the areas identified as high traffic zones as outlined in the staff report.
- “Enhanced regulations on solicitation in certain areas can create a more appealing environment for residents, shoppers, and businesses, supporting economic growth.”
- “Why we are considering expanding High Traffic Zones is , (1) In the past 12 months, there were 431 calls for service in the proposed high-traffic zones; and (2) These calls for service include panhandling, suspicious persons, and trespassing.”
- “One individual spoke in support of the proposed changes to the panhandling ordinance in that they felt that not everyone who panhandles is homeless.”
Outcome as recorded in the minutes.
More
Council took up a plan to adopt a resolution establishing four Helene Recovery boards and the temporary operational structure of current city advisory boards and commissions. The minutes don't say how the vote ended.
- “The proposed Helene Recovery Boards are People & Environment; Housing; Infrastructure; and Economy.”
Approved together on the consent agenda
24 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a budget amendment in the amount of $6.0 million in the City’s Special Revenue Fund funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements through the federal and state governments.”
- “At the end of September 2024, the City of Asheville experienced large-scale devastation and destruction as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that affected residents, businesses and city-owned property and infrastructure.”
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 a contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for Internal Audit Services for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery compliance, worth up to $1 million.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a general services contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for CDBG-DR Internal Audit, for a term of six years or until project completion, with total costs not to exceed $1,002,575 over the duration of the 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 approves an agreement with Ardurra Group Inc. for the North Fork Transmission Main No. 3.
More
- What the City says it's for: “This project as proposed will involve the construction of approximately 30,000’ new transmission main between the North Fork Water Treatment Plant and a transmission main interconnection location at Bee Tree Junction, with the possibility of interconnections to other transmission mains along the route.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Estimated contract not to exceed value of $9,741,000.00.”
- “The proposed North Fork Transmission Main No 3 project has been prioritized by the Water Resources Department as a needed mitigation project to reduce risks of system outages as a result of natural disasters and add redundancy to the water distribution system.”
- “Approximately ¾ of a mile downstream from the North Fork Water Treatment Plant, the two transmission mains pass through an area where the river gorge is at its most constricted, bound by the roadway, bridge and natural rock cliff banks.”
- “This proposed mitigation project is intended to meet those goals.”
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
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The ANC Defendants will make payments totaling $2 million toward Plaintiffs’ litigation expenses and attorneys’ fees arising from this action, payable in installments.”
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 $355,436 for the North Reed Creek Greenway Phase i.
More
Council voted to approve a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the North Reed Creek Greenway Phase i, worth up to $355,436.
- What the City says it's for: “This project is being considered as part of emergency protective measures and will be eligible for reimbursement through the FEMA PA process.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manger to contract with Herc Rentals, Inc., for the temporary provision of Parks & Recreation vehicles damaged by Hurricane Helene in an amount not to exceed $355,436 in response to Topical Storm Helene Emergency Response.”
- “This project includes the Design of a ~0.39 mile greenway that extends the existing Reed Creek Greenway north towards Riverside Drive.”
- “Staff is currently working on a mutual aid / municipal agreement with NCDOT to perform the work with the City reimbursing NCDOT for full cost recovery.”
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 accepts the N.C. Department of Transportation Public Transit Apprenticeship Grant Program.
More
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The City provides 10% of the cost, not to exceed $5,718.”
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 cash pickup and delivery services through December 2025.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Loomis Armored US, LLC for cash pickup and delivery services through December 2025.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Original contract amount of $160,000 will not be exceeded.”
- “Under the proposed contract, Loomis Armored US, LLC will provide armored vehicle cash pick-up & delivery services as well as State Statute compliant “smart safes” for the periods of time in between cash pickup.”
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 accepts grant money for transportation planning in fiscal year 2026.
More
Council voted to accept grant money from the N.C. Department of Transportation for transportation planning in fiscal year 2026.
- What the City says it's for: “The purpose of this item is to accept the grant funds for FY 26.”
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.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care that defines the City’s role as Lead Agency and Homeless Management Information System Lead.
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
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 McGill Associates for the purpose of assessing damage from Tropical Storm Helene to City-owned street light infrastructure in Historic Biltmore Village.
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 repeal Sections 19-1, 19-6, 19-7 and 19-14 in the code of ordinances and replace with revisions to allow for, and regulate he use of, micromobility devices within the City of Asheville.
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 2025-26 Fees & Charges Manual to include a parking fee for Special Events at Memorial Stadium.
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
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 with ICF Inc., LLC for HOME-ARP Program Consulting Services.
More
- “Will augment staff capacity and bring on seasoned professionals to implement the HOME-ARP program that will develop affordable housing and implement supportive services projects.”
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 restoration of public infrastructure in the Biltmore Village Historic District overlay from the N.C. Department of Commerce Small Business Infrastructure Grant fund. It also lets the City accept the money if the grant is awarded.
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.
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.”
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 fiscal year 2024-25 Annual Tax Settlement report.
More
Council voted to approve the fiscal year 2024-25 Annual Tax Settlement report. It also approves the mayor to execute an Order of Collection for fiscal year 2025-26.
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.
More
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.
Official title
More
- What the City says it's for: “This resolution will empower the City Attorney to continue the City’s participation in all future opioid settlements.”
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
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 execution of a Purchase order with Gillig to acquire five 25-foot hybrid buses.
More
Council voted to approve the execution of a Purchase order with Gillig to acquire five 25-foot hybrid buses for Asheville Rides Transit, using the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Cooperative Purchasing Agreement and includes approved sole-source technology as part of the tunkey package.
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 for the purpose of providing reduced transit fares for County employees though the Asheville Rides Transit Passport Program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
- “The City of Asheville developed the Passport Program to offer safe and affordable transportation options for employees in our community.”
- “North Carolina General Statue, § 160A-461 Interlocal cooperation authorized, requires a resolution be ratified by City Council when any unit of local government in the state enters into contracts or agreements with another.”
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 allows beer and wine at the Goombay Festival.
More
Council voted to let people have and drink beer and wine at the Goombay Festival on September 5-7, 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.
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 August, 2025, as “Overdose Awareness Month”
“Councilman Hess read the proclamation proclaiming August, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Month " in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
24 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
MANAGER’S REPORT -: Employee Recognitions
“City Manager Campbell said that today we honor and recognize the outstanding achievements/recognitions of a few of our exemplary City employees.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to conditionally zone property at 587 Haywood Road from Haywood Road Form District - corrider and Community Business II district - Conditional Zone to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor and Community Business i district…
“Page 40 Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of conditionally rezoning property located at 587 Haywood Rd from Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ) to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and…”
Public hearing to Conditional Zone 93 and 95 Springside Drive from RS-4 Residential Single-Family Medium Density District to RS-4-CZ Residential Single-Family Medium Density District - Conditional Zone
“Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone 93 and 95 Springside Rd from RS-4 Residential Single-Family Medium Density to RS-4-CZ Residential Single-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone.”
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 5170- ordinance amending the City of Asheville Code of Ordinances Section 11-5, Public Solicitation and Begging Regulated, specifically to expand defined “High Traffic” Zones to include geographic locations on and around…
“Deputy Chief Sean Aardema said that this is the consideration of amendments to existing City of Asheville ordinance Sec. 11-5, Public Solicitation and Begging Regulated, specifically, to expand defined “high traffic” zones to include geographic locations on and around Haywood Road, Patton Avenue, and Merrimon Avenue.”
Resolution establishing four Helene Recovery Boards and the temporary operational structure of current City Advisory boards and commissions
“Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said that this is the consideration of a resolution establishing 4 Helene Recovery boards and the temporary operational structure of current City advisory boards and commissions.”
- Vote: Council takes up a plan to adopt a resolution establishing four Helene Recovery boards and the temporary operational structure of current city advisory boards and commissions.
- Vote: Council votes down a plan to amend the original motion to instruct City staff to accept the offer of the RWG’s support for the boards who want.
Boards & commissions
“Vice-Mayor Mosley, former Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).”
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.