# 2025.03.18 Woodfin Town Council Meeting **Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council **Date:** March 18, 2025 4:58 PM EDT (2025-03-18T16:58:38-04:00) **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176 ## Summary **Meeting Overview** The Woodfin Town Council held its regular meeting on March 18, 2025, at Town Hall. The session focused on approving routine administrative items, receiving updates on transportation funding and storm recovery efforts, and reviewing the draft Council Strategic Plan for 2025/2026. **Key Decisions** The Council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, both passing with a 5-0 vote. The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the February 18, 2025, regular session and the March 11, 2025, budget work session, as well as the tax collection report for the period ending January 2025 and the Parks and Greenway Advisory Committee Rules of Procedure. Additionally, Council Member Cohen moved to amend the agenda to add a new business item to form a subcommittee to research, discuss, and bring recommendations to the council regarding extending water and sewer infrastructure to West Woodfin; this motion passed unanimously, 5-0. The Council also reviewed the draft Town Council Strategic Plan for 2025/2026, making amendments to action steps and goals, though the plan was not fully approved at this meeting. **Discussion Highlights** Tristan Winkler, Director of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), presented an update on the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). He explained that due to rising costs, significant portions of the Future I-26 Widening project (A-0010AA) have been decommitted. While the Elk Mountain Road interchange remains funded, other segments, including the Broadway Road, Merrimon Avenue, and New Stock Road interchanges, are currently unfunded or have had their funding status changed. Winkler noted that no new projects were funded in the update, with many existing projects delayed or defunded. Town Manager Shannon Tuch provided a report on recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. She reported that emergency bank repair is 90% complete, debris removal is ongoing, and a second debris site has been secured to process material for mulch distribution. Tuch also noted that the town secured a $664,000 bridge loan with 0% interest to assist with cash flow for recovery projects. Regarding the Silver Line Park, she stated that cleanup is complete and the park may reopen briefly before waterway debris removal begins, with plans underway for a comprehensive renovation. In the police department, three conditional job offers have been made, bringing the department close to full staffing. **Community Input** During the public comment period, Jane Mitchell addressed the Council regarding concerns about large trucks operating in her neighborhood near the Elk Mountain Townhub for the past six weeks. She raised issues related to noise, property damage to recycling bins, potential erosion, and a lack of communication regarding the operations. Mitchell also commented on a recent article in the Asheville Watchdog about town communications, expressing appreciation for the Mayor and Town Manager’s open communication during the water crisis. **Follow-ups** Town Manager Shannon Tuch agreed to make the final edits to the Town Council Strategic Plan for 2025/2026 and bring it back to the Council for approval next month. The Council also agreed to form subcommittees to focus on developing a communications plan and exploring partnerships with entities such as UNCA, housing developers, and environmental education groups. Additionally, the Council will discuss the need for a staff liaison to support these council committees. **Impact** These decisions and updates provide residents with clarity on the town’s financial and physical recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, including the availability of mulch from debris removal and the status of park renovations. The STIP update informs residents that while the Elk Mountain Road interchange remains funded, other major transportation projects in the region face delays or funding cuts. The formation of a subcommittee to research water and sewer extensions to West Woodfin indicates the Council’s intent to evaluate infrastructure options for that area, and the upcoming approval of the Strategic Plan will set the Council’s priorities for the next year. ## Agenda - [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19534) - [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19535) - [Consent Agenda-Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19536) - [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19537) - [Town Manager Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19538) - [STIP Funding Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19539) - [Review and approval of the Town of Woodfin Town Council Strategic Plan for 2025/2026](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19540) - [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176/item/19541) ## Votes - A. Approval of the Agenda (0:28) Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Thornton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0 - Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0 - Council Member Cohen made a motion to amend the agenda to add an additional item to new business to form a subcommittee to research, discuss and bring to council ideas and recommendations for next steps on bringing water and sewer to West Woodfin. Council Member Young seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdyCXZ0Dh7s - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/815/segments ## Documents - [agenda_2025-03-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176?document=14250) - [agenda_2025-03-18.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176?document=14270) - [minutes_2025-03-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176?document=14378) - [minutes_2025-03-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176?document=14272) - [presentation_2025-03-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1176?document=14271) ## Sources - [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdyCXZ0Dh7s)