Event Recap
City Council Organizational Meeting Recap: December 2, 2024
The Asheville City Council held its organizational meeting on December 2, 2024, to formally begin the new term and establish leadership roles. The session focused on ceremonial proceedings, the recognition of departing leadership, and the election of the Vice-Mayor. The meeting concluded at 10:32 a.m.
Key Decisions The council recorded two formal votes during the session. First, the council passed Resolution No. 24-256, a Resolution of Appreciation to Sandra Kilgore, with a vote of 8-0. Second, the council elected Antanette Mosley as the new Vice-Mayor, also with a vote of 8-0.
Discussion Highlights The meeting began with a traditional ceremony, including a Pledge of Allegiance sung by Police Cadet Julian Lanier and an invocation by Pashmarsa Shoup. The Honorable Alan Z. Thornburg, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge of the 40th Judicial District, administered the Oaths of Office to newly elected Council Members Bo Hess, Kim Roney, and Sage Turner.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to honoring outgoing Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore. Mayor Esther Manheimer delivered a tribute highlighting Kilgore’s nine years of service, specifically noting her commitment to safe and affordable housing and diverse representation. The council presented Kilgore with a nameplate and a plaque. In her remarks, Kilgore emphasized that genuine care and connection with the community are more important than extensive knowledge, encouraging the new council to listen to and lead the community effectively during challenging times.
New and re-elected council members also shared brief remarks. Council Member Bo Hess thanked the Asheville Water Department for their work restoring water services during the recent hurricane. Council Member Sage Turner acknowledged the community's resilience following recent storm damage, while Council Member Kim Roney expressed confidence in the council’s ability to navigate challenges, highlighting the importance of disaster management experience.
Follow-ups Vice Mayor Mosley stated she will cover the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, as Mayor Manheimer will be in Washington D.C. Additionally, the council stated it will convene a work session next week to begin long-term recovery planning following the recent storm.
Impact This organizational meeting established the leadership structure for the new council term, with the formal swearing-in of three new members and the election of a new Vice-Mayor. The proceedings also served to formally recognize the end of Vice Mayor Kilgore’s tenure and set the initial direction for the council’s focus on long-term recovery planning in the wake of recent storm damage.