# 2026.01.20 Woodfin Town Council Meeting **Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council **Date:** January 20, 2026 5:00 PM EST (2026-01-20T17:00:42-05:00) **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148 ## Summary 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. ## Agenda - [Consent Agenda- Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21231) - [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19386) - [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19387) - [Approval of the December 16, 2025, regular and closed session meeting minutes.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19389) - [Approval of the tax collection report for the period ending November 2025. November 2025 Tax Collection Report, November Vehicle Tax Collection Report, November Vehicle Tax Refunds Pending.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19390) - [Consent Agenda - Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19388) - [Reclassification of Property and Evidence Custodian position from pay plan grade 19 to grade 21. Revised FY26 Classification Plan](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19391) - [Approval of Ordinance 2026-01 a Budget Amendment to the Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund 41 allocating grant revenue awarded.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19392) - [Approval of an amendment to the Woodfin Town Council meeting calendar adding two special Town Council closed session meetings on March 17 and April 21, 2026, and changing the April 7, Budget Work Session to April 14, 2026, due to a conflict with Buncombe County Schools Spring Break Schedule. Revised 2026 Town Council Meeting Calendar.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19393) - [Public Comment – The public is invited to attend this meeting in person or view this meeting on YouTube Live: https://youtube.com/@townofwoodfinnc1104? si=JHD6vCmOzTqwfUKx. All documents related to agenda items not published on the website may be viewed in advance of the meetings in person at Town Hall, 90 Elk Mountain Rd, Woodfin. Citizens may address the council concerning various topics after being recognized by the mayor and are limited to 3 (three) minutes of speaking time.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19394) - [Presentations & Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21232) - [Town Manager Report – Shannon Tuch, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19395) - [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21233) - [Discussion regarding plastic pollution in the French Broad River. - Council members Cohen & Kahn.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/19396) - [Additional Information-Department Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21234) - [Finance – December 2025 Report | Expenditures | Revenues](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21235) - [Planning and Zoning –December 2025 Permit Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21236) - [Police –December 2025 Summary](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21237) - [Public Works – December 2025 Totals](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148/item/21238) ## Votes - Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Parton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0 - Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIS_5VUVaOI - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/791/segments ## Documents - [presentation_2026-01-20.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148?document=14301) - [agenda_2026-01-20.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148?document=14300) - [minutes_2026-01-20.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1148?document=14302) ## Sources - [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIS_5VUVaOI)