City Council Agenda Briefing (Virtual) (Apr 9, 2026)

City Council Agenda Briefing Recap: Preparing for Next Week's Key Decisions

On April 9, 2026, the City Council held an agenda briefing – a preliminary discussion to prepare for their regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th. While no formal votes were taken during this briefing, it provided valuable insight into the key issues the Council will be addressing next week. Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Manheimer and City Manager DK Wesley, with Assistant City Manager Jade Dundas leading presentations on the agenda items. This recap outlines what was discussed and what residents can expect to see at next week's meeting.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around ongoing improvements and updates within the Asheville Police Department (APD). Council members will be considering a contract with US ISS Agency to conduct background checks and polygraph tests for new APD hires, ensuring thorough vetting of potential officers. Furthermore, the Council will vote on accepting a substantial $1.1 million federal grant from Congressman Chuck Edwards to enhance the Real-Time Intelligence Center, a critical resource for public safety. Other APD-related items on the April 14th agenda include a sole source purchase of "Smart Connect" software to improve police radio functionality, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Housing Authority regarding increased APD presence and financial contributions, and a contract renewal with Cherry Beckett for auditing services.

Beyond the Police Department, the Council will be tackling a wide range of important issues next week. A key focus will be finalizing the City’s general fund budget, alongside reviewing capital updates. Residents can also expect a formal recognition of Fair Chance Hiring Week (April 12-18). Other items include issuing Water System Revenue Bonds to support ongoing improvements and refinancing efforts within the water system, initiating a public hearing regarding the permanent closure of a portion of unopened right-of-way on St. Dustin’s Road, and reviewing progress towards making the city's websites accessible by an April 24th deadline. Finally, discussions will continue regarding amendments to the conditional zoning ordinance for McCormick Field (related to signage) and a proposed amendment to allow sidewalk chalk use with specific limitations.

While the briefing itself didn't involve public comment or formal votes, there was a notable adjustment made by the Housing and Community Development Committee. They slightly modified their steady-state CDBG funding recommendations, reducing Habitat for Humanity's funding and reallocating those funds to PISCA legal services for eviction protection programs. Council members expressed a desire for greater transparency regarding the process for selecting TDA grant applications, emphasizing the importance of community input.

Looking ahead, residents can attend the City Council's budget work session on April 14th at 3:00 PM and the regular meeting at 5:00 PM to witness these important decisions firsthand. City staff will be providing additional information on the McCormick Field lease agreement, as requested by Council Member Roney. They will also be reviewing and potentially sharing more details about the TDA grant application selection process, ensuring residents are well-informed as these decisions move forward. Finally, the Finance Department is preparing to present detailed information regarding departmental budget requests, including considerations for a fourth shift for firefighters.