# 2024.05.21 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** May 21, 2024 5:00 PM EDT (2024-05-21T17:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197

## Summary

The Woodfin Town Council held its regular meeting on May 21, 2024, at Town Hall. The session covered routine administrative approvals, departmental updates, a public hearing on a rezoning request, and the presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda unanimously, with both motions passing 6-0.

**Key Decisions and Votes**
The council took several formal votes during the meeting. Council Member Kahn moved to approve Ordinance #2024-010, which rezones 1.45 acres from the Transitional District to the R-21 Residential District; this motion passed 1-0. Vice Mayor Ervin moved to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Council Member Kahn and passed unanimously, 6-0. Additionally, Vice Mayor Ervin moved to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Council Member Kahn, which also passed unanimously, 6-0. The consent agenda included the approval of the May 7, 2024, budget work session minutes, the Tax Collection Report for the period ending March 2024, a lease with Friends-Montessori School for property at 23 Community Rd., the reappointment of Coral Darby and Gerald Green to the PGAC, and Budget Amendment Ordinance #2024-011.

**Public Hearing on Rezoning**
The council held a public hearing regarding Ordinance #2024-010, a request to rezone 1.45 acres located at 99999 Old Marshall from the Transitional District to the R-21 Residential District. The property is owned by the Town of Woodfin. Staff recommended approval, citing alignment with the Woodfin Together Comprehensive Plan, and the Planning Board of Adjustment had previously recommended approval on April 2, 2024. There was no public comment during the hearing, and the council approved the ordinance.

**Departmental Updates and Presentations**
Thomas Bradley, Chair of the ABC Board, presented an update noting increased payments to the town of $60,000 and projected revenue of $2.6 million for the ABC store. He also discussed the retirement of Bradley and the appointment of Connie Walter to the board. Ian Bailey of the Land of Sky Regional Council presented on electric vehicle infrastructure, highlighting that 1.2 million EVs were sold in 2023 and that Western North Carolina saw a 24% growth rate in EV registrations between 2018 and 2023. Bailey noted that the region is understocked with charging infrastructure and encouraged the council to update zoning ordinances and seek legislative support.

Town Manager Shannon Tuch provided a report on various departmental activities. She noted that contracts were approved for cabling work, evidence management software, and a culvert replacement on Church Road. The police department recognized Officer Ian Bradley as "Officer of the Year" and awarded Josh Grier the Excellence in Service Award. Tuch also presented the proposed FY 2025 budget, which includes a recommended general fund revenue of $8,457,603 and funding for 39 full-time and 1 part-time positions.

**Public Comment and Next Steps**
During the public comment period, one resident, Gina, spoke briefly. The council closed the public comment portion of the meeting at 5:00 PM. The council established a public hearing date of June 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM for the FY 2024-2025 fiscal budget. The meeting concluded with the council adjourning to an executive session to consult with the town attorney, followed by a final adjournment at 7:25 PM.

## Agenda

- [Consent Agenda-Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/22862)
- [Approval of the May 7, 2024, budget work session meeting minutes.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19659)
- [Approval of the Tax Collection Report for the period ending March 2024. Net Collections Report, NCVTS Finance Report, Vehicle Tax Refunds Pending](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19660)
- [Consent Agenda - Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19658)
- [Approval of a lease with Friends-Montessori School of real property located at 23 Community Rd.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19661)
- [Approval of reappointment of Coral Darby and Gerald Green to the PGAC.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19662)
- [Approval of Budget Amendment Ordinance #2024-011 – To amend the General Fund (10) and the Parks & Recreation Capital Projects Fund (41) budgets](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19663)
- [Public Comment – The public is invited to attend this meeting in person or view this meeting on Facebook Live: https:// . All documents www.facebook.com/townofwoodfin 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.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19664)
- [Presentations & Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/22863)
- [ABC Board Update - Tom Spradling, Board Chair](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19665)
- [Presentation on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Ian Baillie, Regional Planner, Land of Sky Regional Council](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19666)
- [Town manager report – Shannon Tuch, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19667)
- [Presentation of Proposed Budget for FY 2025 and Establish Public Hearing Date –Budget Submittal Letter - FY 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance with Attachments - Shannon Tuch & Sheri Powers](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19668)
- [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/22864)
- [Public Hearing – Ordinance #2024-010-Staff Report - A request to rezone 1.45 acres located at 99999 Old Marshall from Transitional District (TR) to R-21 Residential District (R-21). The property is identified in the Buncombe County tax record as PIN 9731-54-0323. The property owner is the Town of Woodfin. Staff member presenting – Ricky Hurley](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19669)
- [Department Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/22865)
- [Police – April 2024 Totals](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19670)
- [Planning and Zoning – April 2024 Permit Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19671)
- [Finance – April 2024 Report | Expenditures | Revenues.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19672)
- [Public Works – April 2024 Totals](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19673)
- [ABC Board – April 2024 Minutes |April 2024 P&L | Final FY 2024-2025 Budget Proposal](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19674)
- [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: 1. (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.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197/item/19675)

## Votes

- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 1-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve Ordinance #2024-010 the rezoning of 1.45 acres as shown on Exhibits A & B from Transitional District to R-21 Residential District and find that the request is reasonable, is in the public interest, is consistent with the Woodfin Together Comprehensive Plan, and meets the development needs of the community in that the request: 1. Uses the Future Land Use Map to guide development decisions that promotes fiscal responsibility by encouraging growth in areas with existing services (1.1.1, 1.2.6), 2. Protects steep slopes and other environmentally sensitive areas (5.1.1). Council Member Cohen seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 1-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 1-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtT4GtYujpg
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/841/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2024-05-21.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197?document=14350)
- [minutes_2024-05-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197?document=14351)
- [presentation_2024-05-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1197?document=14352)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtT4GtYujpg)