Event Recap
Woodfin Town Council Meeting Recap: June 17, 2025
The Woodfin Town Council held its regular meeting on June 17, 2025, focusing on fiscal updates, storm recovery efforts, and zoning changes. The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda, which included the approval of minutes from the May 20, 2025, meeting, the tax collection report for the period ending April 2025, and Ordinance 2025-11 amending the General Fund and Stormwater Utility Fund Budgets for FY 2024-2025. The consent agenda also covered the approval of the annual audit contract with Ray, Bumgarner, Kingshill, & Assoc., P.A., amendments to the Town’s Cash Flow Loan Agreement, updates to purchasing and conflict of interest policies, a resolution to set a public hearing for the closure of Crescent Avenue, and the disposal of a surplus Public Works vehicle. All consent items were passed with a 5-0 vote.
Town Manager Shannon Tuck provided a report on Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts, noting that public assistance applications for parks are ongoing and engineering work for roads and culverts is underway. She reported that the transition to the state’s SMART program for debris removal is delayed, and a Long-Term Recovery Plan list developed with FEMA will be shared with the council. Tuck also noted that the Town Hall is hosting Beautification Days from July 1-6, and that final budget work is complete. In the police department, Jamie McCandless was named Acting Sergeant, and recruitment efforts are progressing well.
The council held a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-08, which updates the stormwater fee structure. Projects & Facilities Director Adrienne Isenhower presented data showing increases in impervious surface area for both residential and commercial properties since 2020. The proposed ordinance establishes a tiered-flat fee system with a per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) rate of $5.44 for properties above 21,000 square feet. During the hearing, Ronnie Lunsford asked about action against those who have not paid past stormwater fees. The council approved Ordinance 2025-08 with a 5-0 vote.
The council also considered Ordinance 2025-09, the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. Finance & Budget Director Sheri Powers presented a recommended budget with projected revenue of $7,990,721 and expenditures of $8,214,932 for the General Fund. The budget maintains the current ad valorem tax rate of $.33 per $100 of taxable property value. Key funding areas include $15,000 for Roy Pope Park, $176,000 for Public Works Facility paving, $92,673 for Police Department vehicles, $6,500 for a TextMYGov community messaging platform, $24,497 for salary adjustments, and $192,572 for Silverline Park restrooms. The town received $7,790,708 in FEMA grant revenue and related expenditures for the General Fund. No public comments were recorded for this item, and the council approved the budget with a 5-0 vote.
Planning Director Ricky Hurley presented Ordinance 2025-10, a zoning text amendment to Chapters 46 and 54 regarding landscape and open space requirements. The amendment adds standards for street trees, buffer yards, and vehicular use area planting for multi-family projects with five or more units and non-residential construction of 5,000 square feet or more. It also includes provisions for preserving existing trees, prohibiting excessive pruning, and expanding the prohibition of speculative grading to all zoning districts. During the hearing, Walt Brewer asked clarifying questions about tree planting. The council approved the ordinance with a 5-0 vote, with the condition that the term "green space" replace "open space."
The final public hearing addressed Ordinance 2025-12, a zoning map amendment for property at 317 and 99999 Ventana Drive. The request, submitted by Troy Shriver on behalf of property owner Philly Capital Partners, LLC, involves rezoning 1.25 acres from Community Shopping District to R-21 Residential District and 0.18 acres from R-21 Residential District to Community Shopping District. Staff and the Planning Board of Adjustment recommended approval, finding the change consistent with the Woodfin Together comprehensive plan. No public comments were recorded, and the council approved the rezoning with a 5-0 vote.
Regarding the ABC Board, Chair Jackie Craig presented an annual report, and Council Members Elisabeth Ervin and Ken Kahn participated in a Q&A session. The council requested that the ABC Board increase their reporting frequency to once every four months. The meeting concluded with the council adjourning into executive session to consult with an attorney and consider personnel matters. The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 pm.