2024.10.15 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

The Woodfin Town Council convened on October 15, 2024, for a regular session conducted in a hybrid format to accommodate remote participation. The meeting focused on post-storm recovery efforts, administrative approvals, and significant governance resolutions. The council began by approving the agenda with an amendment to prioritize storm recovery discussions, followed by the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the September 17 meeting and a tax collection report.

A central focus of the meeting was the town’s response to Hurricane Helene. Mayor McAllister provided an emotional overview of the recovery, praising the efforts of town staff, Duke Energy, and community volunteers. Town Manager Shannon Tuck detailed the timeline of the emergency response, including the establishment of a Joint Emergency Operations Center and the restoration of communications. Updates were also provided by Gordon Mayberry of the Woodfin Water District regarding water restoration challenges and Jennifer Bennett of Duke Energy on power restoration progress. The council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reading a statement that highlighted resources available through Care Partners and the Buncombe County Family Justice Center.

Regarding administrative and legal matters, the council authorized the sale of a 1.45-acre parcel at 99999 Appalachian Village Road through an upset bid process, passing the motion unanimously. The council also approved Resolution 2024-013, which names the town manager as the sole spokesperson and amends the Code of Ethics, with a unanimous 6-0 vote. However, the council passed Resolution 2024-012, which censures Mayor McAllister, with a 4-2 vote. Following these actions, the council voted unanimously to adjourn into closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters before adjourning the public portion of the meeting.

Public comment was a significant portion of the meeting, with six residents speaking primarily regarding the proposed censure of the Mayor. Lolly Frederick of the Riverwalk HOA and John Kerr of Metro Wine expressed strong support for Mayor McAllister, criticizing the censure motion and emphasizing his leadership during the crisis. Other speakers, including Walt Brewer of the CERT, Ron Larson, Glenda Overbeck, and Thomas LaVord, urged the council to reconsider the censure, prioritize community unity, and focus on collaboration rather than blame.

In terms of future actions, the council determined that a post-disaster evaluation will be conducted to identify areas for improvement in emergency preparedness. The Woodfin Water District will engage an engineering firm to develop a comprehensive five-year capital improvement plan. Additionally, the town will review and improve its website and communication tools, continue supporting affected residents and businesses, work with FEMA on grant applications, and explore a water supply partnership with the Town of Weaverville.