2026.01.20 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

Key Decisions

The Woodfin Town Council held a regular meeting on January 20, 2026. The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, with Vice Mayor Elisabeth Ervin making the motion and Council Member Chip Parton seconding it; the vote passed 6-0. The council also unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which Vice Mayor Ervin moved and Council Member Ken Kahn seconded; this vote also passed 6-0. The Consent Agenda included the approval of the regular and closed session minutes from December 16, 2025, the tax collection report for the period ending November 2025, the reclassification of the Property and Evidence Custodian position from pay plan grade 19 to grade 21, Ordinance 2026-01 (a budget amendment to the Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund to allocate grant revenue), and an amendment to the council meeting calendar. The calendar amendment adds two special closed session meetings on March 17 and April 21, 2026, and moves the April 7 Budget Work Session to April 14, 2026.

Discussion Highlights

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Town Manager’s report regarding recovery efforts following recent flooding. The Town Manager reported that FEMA overturned an earlier decision and accepted the bid from A&E Services for the Silver Line Park project, reclassifying it as a "large" project. Additionally, FEMA accepted the revised damage inventory for Roads & Stormwater, and progress is being made on debris removal. The Town Manager noted that work on a large property under the Property Protection and Debris Removal (PPDR) program continues, with challenges related to its size. The town has applied for over $11 million in recovery grants, including a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant for Weaverville Highway.

Council members Philip Cohen and Ken Kahn introduced a proposal to address plastic pollution in the French Broad River. The proposal focuses on collaboration with IPEX, a local industrial company, to improve inventory management and potentially create flood parks. The discussion included leveraging grant funding and exploring a memorandum of understanding with IPEX, which could include incentives such as expedited permitting. The Town Manager also provided updates on the Climate Smart Communities Initiative, noting plans for a stakeholder meeting in late winter or early spring to gather input before broader public engagement. Other administrative updates included signed contracts for personnel policy updates and the addition of a new Master Patrol Officer to the Police Department.

Follow-ups

Town staff agreed to review the proposal regarding collaboration with IPEX to address plastic pollution and explore potential benefits. Council members are expected to review materials for the upcoming Town Council retreat scheduled for January 29, 2026. The town will continue to work with FEMA on various recovery projects and await decisions on grant applications, particularly the HMGP phased infrastructure grant.

Impact

These decisions and discussions impact residents through the ongoing management of flood recovery funds and the potential for new environmental initiatives. The approval of the budget amendment ensures that awarded grant revenue is properly allocated to the Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund. The proposed partnership with IPEX aims to protect the French Broad River and reduce liability for the town, with the goal of creating a "Zero-Loss" facility and utilizing state funds for yard retrofits and floodpark conversions. The reclassification of the Property and Evidence Custodian position reflects an adjustment to the town’s personnel pay plan.