# 2024.10.15 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** October 15, 2024 4:59 PM EDT (2024-10-15T16:59:49-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186

## Summary

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.

## Agenda

- [Proclamations](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22348)
- [A proclamation to honor October as Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19592)
- [Consent Agenda-Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22349)
- [Approval of the September 17, 2024, regular session meeting minutes.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22350)
- [Approval of the Tax Collection Report for the period ending August 2024: Net Collections Report, NCVTS Finance Report, Vehicle Tax Refunds Pending](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19593)
- [Public Comment – The public is invited to attend this meeting in person or view this meeting on YouTube Live at: https://youtube.com/@townofwoodfinnc1104? si=JHD6vCmOzTqwfUKx. as per § 166A ‑ 19.24. Remote meetings during certain declarations of emergency. (a) Remote Meetings. – Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon issuance of a declaration of emergency under G.S. 166A ‑ 19.20, any public body within the emergency area may conduct remote meetings in accordance with this section and Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes throughout the duration of that declaration of emergency. Compliance with this statute establishes a presumption that a remote meeting is open to the public. 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 speaking time.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19594)
- [Presentations & Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22351)
- [Annual Audit Report – Nancy Lux, CPA with Ray, Bumgarner, Kingshill & Associates, P.A.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22352)
- [State of Emergency Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22353)
- [Mayor comments on storm recovery in Woodfin – Mayor McAllister](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22354)
- [Update on emergency response and town conditions – Shannon Tuch, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22355)
- [Woodfin Water Update – Gordon Maybury, Woodfin Water Board Chair](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22356)
- [City of Asheville Update – Clay Chandler, City of Asheville Water Resources](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22357)
- [Duke Energy Update – Jennifer Bennett, Duke Energy Community Liaison](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22358)
- [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22359)
- [Approval of Resolution 2024-011 Staff Report-Authorizing the town manager to sell a 1.45-acre parcel of town owned property at 99999 Appalachian Village Road, further described as Buncombe County PIN 9731540323 to William Young. Legal Advertisement Staff presenting: Shannon Tuch, Town Manager.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19596)
- [Approval of Resolution 2024-012- Censuring Mayor Jim McAllister. Council Members sponsoring resolution: Edgerton, Thornton, Kahn, and Ervin.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19597)
- [Approval of Resolution 2024-013 naming the town manager as the town’s sole official spokesperson for the purpose of responding to media requests regarding town business and Amending the Town Council's Code of Ethics. Council Members sponsoring resolution: Edgerton, Thornton, Kahn, and Ervin. Woodfin Code of Conduct and Ethics Red Line Version](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19598)
- [Executive Session - The Town Council may adjourn to private chambers to discuss legal, personnel, contractual or similar matters protected by the NCGS 143-318.11(a) including subsections:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/19599)
- [(3) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged, and to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186/item/22360)

## Votes

- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the amended agenda, moving the mayor's comments on the storm to right before public comment. Council Member Kahn 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
- Council Member Kahn made a motion authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise the property for the upset bid process as required by N.C. Gen. Stat. §160A-269 and authorize the Town Manager, upon conclusion of the upset bid process, to execute such documents necessary to convey the Property on behalf of the Town Council. Council Member Thornton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Council Member Edgerton made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-012; Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed with a 4-2 vote. — Passed, 4-2
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-013. Council Member Edgerton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2Wffw_ZmI
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/862/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2024-10-15.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186?document=14368)
- [minutes_2024-10-15.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186?document=14369)
- [presentation_2024-10-15.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1186?document=14370)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2Wffw_ZmI)