# 2024 01 16 Woodfin Town Council Video

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** January 16, 2024 5:00 PM EST (2024-01-16T17:00:00-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Woodfin Town Council held a regular meeting on January 16, 2024. The agenda included routine approvals, a year-end review from the Town Manager, discussions on a new Code of Conduct, and authorization for the Mayor to inquire about the future of the Old Craggy Bridge.

**Key Decisions**
The Council approved the meeting agenda and the Consent Agenda, both by a vote of 5-0. The Consent Agenda included the approval of minutes from the December 19, 2023 meetings, the tax collection report for the period ending November 30, 2023, an amendment to the 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule, and a revised Landscape Maintenance Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for I-26, Exit 23. Under the revised agreement, NCDOT will resume full maintenance of the landscape, including fence removal, after the Town had been responsible for the upkeep for approximately 15 years.

The Council also approved the Council Code of Conduct and Ethics, including changes in sections 2.7 and 4.2, by a vote of 5-0. A final copy of the document is to be posted on the town website. Additionally, Council Member Kahn moved to give Mayor McAllister authorization to pursue discussions and inquiries regarding the future of the Old Craggy Bridge with the Woodfin Town Manager, members of the Buncombe County Commission, and the NC Department of Transportation. This motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

**Discussion Highlights**
Town Manager Shannon Tuck presented a "Year in Review" report detailing the Town’s accomplishments in 2023. Key areas of progress included providing excellent town services through successful budgeting and improved communication, identifying high-priority policies such as street acceptance and traffic calming, and strengthening community partnerships with organizations like Catholic Charities and the YMCA. The report noted progress in affordable living initiatives, including short-term rental standards and support for affordable housing, as well as investments in transportation infrastructure, such as street repaving and grants for bike and pedestrian plans. Tuck also highlighted efforts in community policing, government facility improvements, and sustainability, including the purchase of a hybrid police vehicle.

The Council discussed the "Woodfin Together" Comprehensive Plan, which is currently in its third draft and was approved by the Planning Board earlier in the month. The plan, which envisions Woodfin as a safe, livable, and welcoming mountain town in 2040, will be up for a public hearing at the February council meeting.

Regarding the Old Craggy Bridge, Mayor McAllister and Council Member Edgerton discussed the authorization to explore preserving or repurposing the structure, even as the Town moves forward with a new bridge. The Council emphasized the importance of reporting back to the Town Manager and Council on any findings from these inquiries.

**Follow-ups**
The Town Manager is scheduled to present a report on the Woodfin Comprehensive Plan, which will go to a public hearing in February and March to gather community input before final adoption. Mayor McAllister is authorized to pursue discussions with the Town Manager, Buncombe County Commission, and NCDOT regarding the Old Craggy Bridge and is expected to report back to the Council on any findings.

**Impact**
These decisions reflect the Town’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, maintain ethical governance, and engage with the community. The shift of landscape maintenance responsibilities to NCDOT addresses a long-standing cost burden for the Town. The approval of the Code of Conduct establishes clear guidelines for council members' ethical behavior, while the inquiry into the Old Craggy Bridge demonstrates a commitment to exploring options for preserving community assets. Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the Comprehensive Plan during the upcoming public hearings.

## Agenda

- [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19724)
- [Consent Agenda- Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23176)
- [Approval of the December 19, 2023, regular and closed session meeting minutes.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23177)
- [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19725)
- [Approval of the Tax Collection Report for the period ending November 30, 2023: Net Collections Report, NCVTS Finance Report, Vehicle Tax Refunds Pending.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23178)
- [Approval of amendment to 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23179)
- [Approval of revised Landscape Maintenance Agreement between the Town of Woodfin and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (I-26, Exit 23).](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19726)
- [Public Comment – The public is invited to attend this meeting in person or view this meeting on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/townofwoodfin. 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.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19727)
- [Presentations & Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23180)
- [Town manager report – Shannon Tuch, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19728)
- [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23181)
- [Council Code of Conduct and Ethics – Council members Edgerton and Ervin.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19729)
- [Authorization for Mayor McAllister to pursue discussions and inquiries as to the future of Old Craggy Bridge with Woodfin Town Manager, members of the Buncombe County Commission, and the NC Dept of Transportation – Mayor McAllister & Council member Edgerton.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19730)
- [Department Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23182)
- [Police – December 2023 Totals](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23183)
- [Planning and Zoning – December 2023 Permit Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19731)
- [Finance – Report | Expenditures | Revenues](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23184)
- [Public Works – December 2023 Totals](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23185)
- [ABC Board – December 2023 P&L | December 2023 Year to Date P&L](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23186)
- [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.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/19732)
- [(a)(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 (a)(5) to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating (i) the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210/item/23187)

## Votes

- A. Approval of the Agenda (0:32) Council Member Thornton made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Kahn 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 Edgerton made a motion to approve the Council Code of Conduct and Ethics including changes in section 2.7 and 4.2, with a final copy being posted on the website. Vice Mayor Ervin seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to give Mayor McAllister authorization to pursue discussions and inquiries as to the future of Old Craggy Bridge with Woodfin Town Manager, members of the Buncombe County Commission, and the NC Dept of Transportation. Council Member Thornton seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 5-0. — Passed, 5-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m1j8h5Vlg
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/866/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2024-01-16.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210?document=14332)
- [presentation_2024-01-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210?document=14334)
- [minutes_2024-01-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1210?document=14333)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m1j8h5Vlg)