# 2025.12.16 Town of Woodfin Town Council Meeting

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** December 16, 2025 5:00 PM EST (2025-12-16T17:00:45-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151

## Summary

The Woodfin Town Council held its regular monthly meeting on December 16, 2025. The session covered organizational updates, a public hearing on a major recovery plan, and several administrative approvals. The council began by unanimously approving the meeting agenda, 6-0.

**Organizational Matters and Consent Agenda**
The council addressed organizational changes, including the selection of the Vice Mayor. Council Member Young moved for Elisabeth Ervin to continue in her role as Vice Mayor, a motion seconded by Council Member Kahn that passed unanimously, 6-0. The council also reviewed appointments to various boards and committees, including the Communications, Water Infrastructure, and Community Partnership committees. Following these discussions, Vice Mayor Ervin moved to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Council Member Cohen. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0, approving the November 18, 2025, meeting minutes, the tax collection report for the period ending October 2025, the reappointment of Jerry Vehaun to the Metropolitan Sewerage District board, and the 2026 Town Council meeting schedule.

**Buncombe County Reappraisal and Town Manager Report**
Eric Cregger, Buncombe County Tax Assessor, presented information on the 2026 Buncombe County Reappraisal Process. He explained that the reappraisal is effective January 1, 2026, and that property owners are responsible for self-reporting information by that date. Cregger noted that the process aims to update property values to reflect current market conditions and that while it will impact property tax bills, it is not intended to increase revenue. Property owners were informed they can review their records online and appeal values if necessary.

Shannon Tuch, Town Manager, provided a report on several ongoing initiatives. She discussed the Tropical Storm Helene recovery, noting that FEMA processes are ongoing and that bids for Silver Line Park are due next week. Tuch also highlighted the town’s active grant writing efforts, including a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application, and acknowledged recent cybersecurity issues while outlining efforts to enhance security measures. Additionally, she reported on the police department’s progress in hiring additional officers and their participation in community programs such as "Shop with a Cop."

**Helene Recovery Plan and Community Partnerships**
The council held a public hearing to consider Ordinance 2025-25, which approves the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan. Council Member Kahn moved to approve the proposed plan, finding it reasonable, in the public interest, and consistent with town goals. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The plan includes 17 recovery projects for Woodfin and aligns with the *Woodfin Together* Comprehensive Plan, focusing on long-term community recovery, resilience, and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.

The council also received an update on the Community Partnership Task Force from Mayor McAllister and Council Member Cohen. This task force is working with UNC Asheville regarding their warehouse property at 1414 Riverside Drive. The group aims to maximize the utilization of the property, increase positive publicity for the university, and potentially generate tax revenue. Objectives include soliciting community input, retaining warehouse space, and creating a multi-purpose facility.

**Lease Extension and Executive Session**
The council discussed extending the current lease for the property located at 23 Community Road, which is leased to Friends Montessori School. Vice Mayor Ervin moved to direct the town manager and town attorney to execute a revision to the lease. The motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0, extends the lease for one year, expiring June 30, 2028, and increases the rent to $2,100 per month starting July 1, 2027. The council then entered an executive session to discuss matters requiring confidentiality, including consulting with the town attorney to preserve attorney-client privilege. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 pm.

## Agenda

- [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19398)
- [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19399)
- [Organizational Discussion: Selection of Vice Mayor](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19400)
- [Organizational Discussion: Review Committee Appointments](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19401)
- [Consent Agenda: Approval of the November 18, 2025, regular and closed session meeting minutes](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19402)
- [Consent Agenda: Approval of the tax collection report for the period ending October 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19403)
- [Consent Agenda: Reappointment of Jerry Vehaun to the Metropolitan Sewerage District board](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19404)
- [Consent Agenda: Approval of the 2026 Town Council meeting schedule](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19405)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19406)
- [Presentations & Reports: 2026 Buncombe County Reappraisal Process Presentation](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19407)
- [Presentations & Reports: Town Manager Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19408)
- [New Business: Public Hearing - Consideration of Ordinance 2025-25 Approval of the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19409)
- [New Business: Community Partnership Task Force update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19410)
- [New Business: Discussion regarding extending current lease for 23 Community Road](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19411)
- [Executive Session](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19412)
- [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151/item/19413)

## Votes

- Council Member Young made a motion that Elisabeth Ervin continue in her role as Vice Mayor. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed with a unanimous roll call vote, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Cohen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- A. Approval of the Agenda Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to direct the town manager and town attorney to execute a revision to the lease for the property located at 23 Community Rd. with the Friends Montessori School that: 1) Extends the lease for one additional year, expiring June 30, 2028, and 2) Changes the rent from $2,000 per month to $2,100 per month, beginning July 1, 2027. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously,6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve the proposed plan, known as Helene Recovery Plan, and find that it is reasonable, is in the public interest, is consistent with town adopted goals and plans, and meets development and other needs of the community in that the request: 1. Uses the Future Land Use Map to guide development decisions and protect existing affordable housing through regulatory or other tools (1.1.1, 1.2.2). 2. Encourages green and healthy working spaces that use renewable energy, walkable design, and green infrastructure (3.3.2). 3. Incorporates climate resilience and green building practices into town facilities and operations and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions on decisions of local significance for more effective and efficient services (4.1.4, 4.3.1). 4.Makes government decision-making accessible and transparent to all residents while updating development standards to minimize risk from new development (4.4.3, 5.4.2). 5. Supports collaboration with Asheville and Buncombe County on climate action and resiliency planning (5.3.4). 6. Protects floodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and other environmentally valuable and sensitive areas by updating development standards to minimize the risk from new development and educating the public on risks and actions needed to protect themselves (5.1.1, 5.4.1, 5.4.2). Vice Mayor Ervin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhBsghupozs
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/795/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2025-12-16.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151?document=14389)
- [agenda_2025-12-16.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151?document=14297)
- [presentation_2025-12-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151?document=14298)
- [presentation_2025-12-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151?document=14390)
- [minutes_2025-12-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1151?document=14299)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhBsghupozs)