City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (In-Person) (Apr 28, 2026)

City Council Worksession Recap: Policy, Finance & Infrastructure (April 28, 2026)

On April 28, 2026, the Asheville City Council held a work session focused on policy, finance, and infrastructure. This meeting served as an opportunity for council members to discuss potential future decisions and receive updates on ongoing initiatives, though no formal votes were taken during the session itself. The discussion centered around three main areas: engaging with healthcare provider HCA, planning for recovery funding through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBGDR) program, and exploring a new Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) to enhance public safety.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing recommendations for allocating CDBGDR funds, totaling approximately $2.7 million. Council members explored four key planning projects: developing an Economic Development Strategic Plan, creating a reinvestment plan for the Deaverview area (including mixed-income housing and community facilities), updating the city's Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for resilience, and planning a new emergency shelter to address housing needs. While enthusiastic about the potential benefits of these projects, some council members expressed concern about “plan fatigue” and emphasized the need for tangible results from these planning efforts, particularly given ongoing state legislative discussions potentially impacting UDO updates. The remaining $665,000 will be reserved for future planning initiatives.

Another key discussion revolved around a resolution encouraging HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen to directly engage with Western North Carolina stakeholders regarding concerns about healthcare quality. Originally slated for a vote during the work session, this resolution will now be considered by the full City Council at a later date. Finally, Police Chief Jackie Stepp presented on the proposed Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), a system integrating data from various sources like cameras and dispatch systems to improve public safety response. The presentation included detailed explanations of the technology involved, including FUSIS data aggregation software and Flock cameras (license plate readers), with a focus on addressing community concerns about data privacy and security. Council members stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in implementing this technology, ensuring city ownership of all data and robust auditing procedures to prevent misuse.

Throughout the meeting, community members voiced concerns about potential surveillance implications of the RTIC and questioned whether further studies are needed given existing plans. Council members acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the focus on public safety and transparency as guiding principles. Action items stemming from this work session include presenting the HCA resolution to the full council, moving forward with the CDBGDR planning recommendations as discussed, and providing council members with contracts for both Axon and Flock. The City Manager will also continue to engage with the community regarding concerns about these initiatives, and a future meeting is planned to discuss funding for the single-family home repair program. Ultimately, this work session laid the groundwork for future council decisions impacting Asheville's financial health, infrastructure development, and public safety.