Special Meeting: City Council Closed Session (In-Person) (Nov 14, 2025)

City Council Holds Closed Session Meeting on November 14, 2025: A Recap

On November 14, 2025, the Asheville City Council convened a special meeting held in closed session. This meeting, conducted entirely behind closed doors, focused on addressing sensitive legal and personnel matters as permitted under North Carolina General Statute. The meeting was attended by all members of the City Council, facilitated by the Mayor. It's important to note that due to legal restrictions surrounding closed sessions, specific details about the discussions are not publicly available.

The primary purpose of this meeting, as initiated by Council Member Hess and unanimously approved by the council, was to consult with the city attorney regarding two key areas: preventing the disclosure of privileged and confidential information under North Carolina law, and discussing legal matters related to potential claims or judicial actions. This falls under the umbrella of attorney-client privilege, ensuring confidential legal advice can be sought and discussed without public scrutiny. The agenda also included discussions pertaining to personnel qualifications, performance, or employment contracts, again citing the need for confidentiality.

During the meeting, Council Member Hess formally proposed a motion to enter closed session, citing specific North Carolina General Statutes that support such proceedings. The Mayor recognized Council Member Hess and facilitated the voting process, which resulted in a unanimous vote (all council members voted "aye") to enter closed session. Following the discussion with legal counsel, a subsequent motion was made and unanimously approved to exit the closed session.

As this meeting was held in closed session, no public comments or community input were solicited or received. While the specific details of the discussions remain confidential, it is reasonable to anticipate that further actions and next steps will involve ongoing consultations with the city attorney regarding the matters discussed. These actions are not currently available for public disclosure due to legal confidentiality requirements.

While the minutes do not outline specific action items or follow-ups beyond entering and exiting closed session, residents should understand that the Council’s actions reflect a commitment to addressing legal and personnel matters responsibly while upholding applicable state laws regarding confidentiality. Citizens seeking further information are encouraged to review official city records, bearing in mind that certain details may be restricted from public access due to legal privilege.