Asheville City Council
November 18, 2025
Regular meeting
Streets and transitOther City businessPublic safetyHelene recoveryBudget and taxesHousing
The short version
18 decisions: 16 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 2 voted on separately. 1 vote split.
- Council changes the zoning conditions for 767 New Haw Creek Road.
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
- Council adopts the Long-Term Recovery Plan, Section 7.2 of the unified Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan.
Council voted to adopt the Long-Term Recovery Plan, Section 7.2 of the unified Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which details the City of Asheville’s recovery projects in the plan.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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 (10 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 grants in the North Carolina Emergency Management - Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund 2025.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the grants in the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) - Helene Local Government Capital Grant Program.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- Council approves applying for the grants in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
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.
- disappointment on the removal of Jared Wheatley from the Planning & Zoning Commission
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Council changes the zoning conditions for 767 New Haw Creek Road.
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
More
- “He then reviewed the prior conditional zoning and using a map, he showed the proposed amendment.”
- “The proposed amendment simply acknowledges this fact and makes the site plan comply with the underlying zoning to exit onto New Haw Creek Road.”
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. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to adopt the Long-Term Recovery Plan, Section 7.2 of the unified Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which details the City of Asheville’s recovery projects in the plan.
- What the City says it's for: “The purpose of the Helene Recovery Plan is to help the City of Asheville focus its work and prioritize projects.”
- “Quality Affordable Housing”
Approved together on the consent agenda
16 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
- What the City says it's for: “The award of this contract will allow for the replacement/repair of approximately 2,700 linear feet of guardrail and any needed posts and end sections to provide safety to the traveling public.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “A 15% contingency of $27,440 is planned, which, with the bid total of $182,936, results in a maximum budget amount of $210,376.”
- “The storm damaged or destroyed approximately 2,700 linear feet of guardrail, along with numerous posts and end sections”
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 Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Cavanaugh and Associates, P.A. for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “11-18-25 Page 5 Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Cavanaugh and Associates, P.A., on Contract #92300140, in the amount of $679,650.00, for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.”
- “The City of Asheville entered into a three (3) year contract with Cavanaugh and Associates, P.A. for project management services for the Water Resources Department Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project on August 31, 2022.”
- “The AMI project was delayed several months due to the impacts of 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.
Council approves a $314,675 contract for the fiscal year 2026 Utility Cut Concrete Repair project.
More
Council voted to approve a contract with Appalachian Paving and Concrete Inc. for the fiscal year 2026 Utility Cut Concrete Repair project, for $314,675.
- 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 (Current members: Metropolitan Sewerage District, Dominion Energy, City of Asheville Water Resources, and City of Asheville Stormwater Division, future potential member: Duke Energy).”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Appalachian Paving and Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $314,675.00 for the Fiscal Year 2026 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.
- 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.
Council changes a contract for counseling services to employees and their families.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Responder Support Services for counseling services to employees and their families.
- What the City says it's for: “The requested amendment will allow time for HR to develop an updated RFP while ensuring no disruption in services to employees and families utilizing counseling services.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The amendment will extend the contract through 3-31-26 and increase the total contract amount by $43,500 to for a total amount of $224,749.”
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, a contract with Amendment with First Due for a record management system for the Asheville Fire Department to expire December 31, 2025.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to ratify the amendment of a contract with First Due in the amount of $80,797.50 (total contract amount with amendment is $113,715.00) for a record management system to expire December 31, 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.
- 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.
Council changes a contract for external legal services for employment law matters.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham LLP for external legal services for employment law matters.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to amend the contract with Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham LLP to add $31,000.00 for external legal services for employment law matters.”
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 grants in the North Carolina Emergency Management - Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund 2025. 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 the City says it's for: “The program is designed to reduce future flooding and transportation disruptions by investing in both structural (e.g., drainage upgrades, culvert replacements) and non-structural (e.g., relocation, elevation) mitigation strategies.”
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 grants in the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) - Helene Local Government Capital Grant Program. 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 the City says it's for: “The program funds capital projects to repair, renovate, or replace damaged infrastructure that is ineligible or denied for FEMA Public Assistance.”
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 sell City-owned land at 99999 Wilmington Street to the N.C. Department of Transportation for $135,000.
- “As part of the I26 improvement project the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking to condemn a 0.387 acre property situated at 99999 Wilmington Street in Asheville, NC, with the Parcel Identification Number (PINNUM) 963856154, and otherwise known as Parcel 67 on NCDOT’s TIP #I-2513B.”
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, after the fact, the execution of a lease with TPI Land Investment LLC.
More
Council voted to approve, after the fact, the execution of a lease with TPI Land Investment LLC at 599 Tunnel Road, Asheville, N.C., to provide ongoing operations of the City’s Parks and Recreation Maintenance and office facilities for employees. It also approves any necessary change orders to said lease.
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.
More
Council voted to approve the sole source purchase with kmstrup Water Metering, inc., fo large customer meters in Connection with the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.
- “Aclara was selected as the preferred responsive provider for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project.”
- “The AMI project included retro-fitting existing large meters, rather than replacement of those large meters.”
- “It is necessary to standardize the large customer meter manufacturer and type, to ensure compatibility with the AMI system and operational efficiency.”
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: “This project will construct just over a half-mile of sidewalk along Airport Road (SR 3526) from the south Walmart Driveway to Hendersonville Rd (US 25).”
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 changes a contract to build the McCormick Field improvements.
More
Council voted to change its contract with Frank L. Blum Construction Company, in Association with W.C. Construction Company to build the McCormick Field improvements.
- “The project is currently in its final phase, with completion planned by April 2026 in time for the Tourist baseball’s 2026 season.”
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 grants in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 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.
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.
PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamation proclaiming November 18, 2025, as “Debra d. Campbell Day”
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation proclaiming November 18, 2025, as "Debra D. Campbell Day " in the City of Asheville.”
Joint statement from mayor esther Manheimer, board of commissioners chair amanda edwards, and members of the Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County board of commissioners
“Mayor Manheimer read the following statement: “Our community's strength comes from our diversity, and we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring Asheville and Buncombe County remain safe and welcoming places where everyone can grow and thrive.”
CONSENT AGENDA
16 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Manager’s Report
“American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update ARPA Project Manager Kim Marmon-Saxe said the following are the key highlights from her presentation: (1) A robust evaluation and scoring process based on council approved categories and criteria was used to select projects; (2) 32 projects funded for a total…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider an amendment to the Conditional Zoning of 27.05 Acres at 767 New Haw Creek Road for the purposes of amending the Site plan and the proposed 11-18-25: Page 25 conditions to build 49 new single-family housing…
“Mayor Manheimer said that at the applicant’s request, the public hearing scheduled for October 14, 2025, was moved to October 28, 2025.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance amending chapter 11 of the code of ordinances to establish a downtown event-based social district pilot program for specified special events taking place in the south slope during calendar year 2026
“This item was withdrawn from consideration.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution adopting the Long-Term Recovery Plan Section 7.2 of the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan: Assistant Planning & urban planning
“Director Chris Collins said that this is the consideration of adoption of a resolution to officially adopt the Long-Term Recovery Plan, Section 7.2 of the unified Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which details the City’s recovery projects. 11-18-25 Page 32 Background:”
Resolution appointing a member to the Planning & Zoning Commission
“Vice-Mayor Mosley, former Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Planning & Zoning Commission.”
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.