# City Council Meeting (Nov 12, 2024)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** November 12, 2024 12:00 PM EST (2024-11-12T12:00:00-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527

## Summary

The Asheville City Council held a regular meeting on November 12, 2024, with a primary focus on the ongoing recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. The agenda included the ratification of numerous emergency contracts entered into during the state of emergency declared on September 25, 2024, as well as routine city business and updates on disaster recovery funding.

**Key Decisions**
The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to ratify a series of emergency contracts related to storm response and recovery. These approvals included agreements with T&K Utilities, Inc. and T.P. Howard’s Plumbing Co. Inc. for water system repairs; Tennoca Construction Co., DebrisTech, LLC, and Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC for debris removal and stabilization; and Curbside Management, Inc. and Waste Management of Carolinas, Inc. for waste collection. The Council also ratified contracts with SAFE Industries for vehicle maintenance support, Confer and Associates, LLC for meal services, and Biltmore Farm Hotel Group for emergency lodging. Additionally, the Council approved a resolution ratifying a contract with Hagerty Consulting, Inc. to assist with federal and state recovery funding.

In other financial and administrative matters, the Council passed a $4.2 million budget amendment to cover disaster recovery expenses, which are expected to be reimbursed by FEMA. The Council also voted to approve a contract with RATPDev USA, LLC for supplemental transit services provided since September 27, 2024, and authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with AAR of North Carolina, Inc. for the replacement of the Municipal Building roof. Other unanimous votes included resolutions to amend contracts with Fiserv and Responder Support Services, to correct loan terms for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Down Payment Assistance program, and to authorize the temporary suspension of affordable housing loan payments. The Council also voted to dissolve the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee and to permit the consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine at the Holiday Jamboree and Grove Arcade Tree Lighting events.

**Discussion Highlights**
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by Hagerty Consulting, a contracted firm assisting with recovery, who outlined the city’s operational recovery framework and alignment with federal and state resources. Council members discussed the pace of recovery, raising concerns about rental assistance and support for impacted businesses. They explored potential collaborative approaches, including the possibility of direct cash assistance programs. The Council also addressed the city’s projected revenue losses, estimated at $17 million due to the storm, which will impact future budget decisions.

Concerns were raised regarding the Housing Authority (HACA) board and eviction rates within public housing, with a call for resident representation on the board. Additionally, representatives from Asheville Food and Beverage United (AFBU) spoke about the financial hardships faced by hospitality workers, calling for direct financial aid and a reevaluation of how the Tourism Development Authority allocates funds. Mayor Esther Manheimer emphasized the support received from sister cities following the storm, while City Manager Debra Campbell stressed the importance of collaboration and partnerships in addressing recovery challenges.

**Follow-ups**
The Council scheduled a dedicated work session for December 10, 2024, to focus on recovery efforts, including a vote on the allocation of $1.748 million in additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Regular recovery briefings are planned for November 19, December 5, and mid-December, with a Council retreat scheduled for January 2025. The Council also approved a resolution adding a City Council organizational meeting to the schedule for December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

**Impact**
These decisions formalize the city’s emergency response actions, ensuring that contracts entered into during the crisis are legally ratified and that funds are properly budgeted for ongoing recovery. The dissolution of the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee reflects a shift toward a broader Continuum of Care partnership for addressing homelessness. For residents, the approval of supplemental transit services ensures continued transportation access until water systems are fully restored, while the budget amendment and contract ratifications provide the financial and operational framework necessary to repair critical infrastructure and support local businesses and workers affected by the storm.

## Agenda

- [Approval of the City Council formal meeting minutes held on October 22, 2024.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/20216)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with T&K Utilities, Inc. entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, for emergency repair and replacement services for critical waterline damage within the City of Asheville water system.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9067)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with T.P. Howard’s Plumbing Co. Inc. entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, for emergency repair and replacement services for critical waterline damage within the City of Asheville water system.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9068)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Tennoca Construction Co. entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, for waterline stabilization, clearing and debris removal, earth moving grading, road bed reconstruction to enable emergency repair and replacement of critical waterlines in the City of Asheville water system.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9069)
- [Resolution ratifying emergency contract with SAFE Industries for the provision of providing standby technicians to supplement fleet staff to limit downtime of frontline emergency equipment and vehicles due to repairs or maintenance as a result of Tropical Storm Helene.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9070)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Curbside Management, Inc. entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for providing municipal solid waste collection services.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9071)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Waste Management of Carolinas, Inc. entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for providing municipal solid waste disposal services at their transfer station located at 24 Pond Road.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9072)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with DebrisTech, LLC, entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for providing debris collection monitoring services.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9073)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for providing debris collection services.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9074)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract and contract amendment with Confer and Associates, LLC entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for the provision of prepared meal services.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9075)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Biltmore Farm Hotel Group for lodging needs for first responders, essential employees and out-of-area emergency resources associated with Tropical Storm Helene.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9076)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with Hagerty Consulting Inc. for recovery management services entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9077)
- [Resolution ratifying a correction of loan terms for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Down Payment Assistance program that was awarded $146,000 by City Council on April 23, 2024.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9078)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to temporarily suspend and defer affordable housing loan payments to the City on a case-by-case basis, as necessary, to address impacts from Tropical Storm Helene.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9079)
- [Resolution ratifying a contract with RATPDev USA, LLC entered into on an emergency basis in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene for supplemental transit operations and maintenance services.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9080)
- [Budget amendment, in the amount of $4.2 Million, for Helene Disaster Recovery and Response expenses, which is anticipated to be funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9081)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract AAR of North Carolina, Inc.for the Municipal Building Roof Replacement project; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project up to the contingency amount.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9082)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend a contract with Fiserv for Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville’s point of sale software licensing](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9083)
- [Resolutions to permit the possession and consumption of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at the following events:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9084)
- [Holiday Jamboree to occur on November 23, 2024](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/20217)
- [Grove Arcade Tree Lighting on November 30, 2024](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/20218)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing contract with Responder Support Services for individual mental health services for employees and their families.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9085)
- [Resolution dissolving the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9086)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the City of Asheville’s Planning, Homeless Management Information System, and Coordinated Entry grant applications in the Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Continuum of Care Competition from the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, and if awarded, authorize the City Manager to accept and sign all of the appropriate agreements.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9087)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Enterprises G Inc. for the Roger Farmer Sports Court Project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9088)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with TranSystems Corporation for the Southside Accessibility Improvement Project construction engineering and inspection services; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project up to the contingency amount.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9089)
- [Asheville Rides Transit Fleet](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/20219)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to utilize sole source procurement for technology equipment and services for the Asheville Rides Transit fleet.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9090)
- [Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Division to execute purchase orders with Gillig to acquire four 30-foot clean diesel buses, utilizing the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, for the Asheville Rides Transit System including approved sole-source procurement of transit-related technology for the Asheville Rides Transit fleet.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9091)
- [Resolution authorizing the sale of one 2011 Freightliner Dump Truck which is beyond its useful life and deemed surplus City personal property.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9092)
- [Resolution amending the 2024 City Council meeting schedule to add the City Council Organizational Meeting on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber, located on the 2nd Floor of City Hall.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9093)
- [Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-38.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9094)
- [Manager’s Report - Recovery Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527/item/9095)

## Votes

- Resolution ratifying a contract with DebrisTech, LLC — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract and contract amendment with Confer and Associates, LLC — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a correction of loan terms for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Down Payment Assistance program — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with T&K Utilities, Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with T.P. Howard’s Plumbing Co. Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Tennoca Construction Co. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying emergency contract with SAFE Industries — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Curbside Management, Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Waste Management of Carolinas, Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Biltmore Farm Hotel Group — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution ratifying a contract with Hagerty Consulting Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to temporarily suspend and defer affordable housing loan payments — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution approving a contract with RATPDev USA, LLC — Passed, 7-0
- Budget amendment in the amount of $4.2 Million for Helene Disaster Recovery and Response Expenses — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract AAR of North Carolina, Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolutions to permit the possession and consumption of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at the following events — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution dissolving the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with TranSystems Corporation — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend a contract with Fiserv — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to utilize sole source procurement for technology equipment and services for the Asheville Rides Transit fleet — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Division to execute purchase orders with Gillig — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the sale of one 2011 Freightliner Dump Truck — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing contract with Responder Support Services — Passed, 7-0
- Manager’s Report - Recovery Update — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the City of Asheville’s Planning, Homeless Management Information System, and Coordinated Entry grant applications — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Enterprises G Inc. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution amending the 2024 City Council meeting schedule — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET-IsRuIuio
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1118/segments
- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/gnS8t1ZkKEg?si=_NkY7xyF_036y-B1
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1288/segments

## Documents

- [Consent F - Curbside Recycling .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3813)
- [Consent W - Roger Farmer Sports Court.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3712)
- [Consent H - Ratification - DebrisTech .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3789)
- [Consent S - Alcohol at Events.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3786)
- [Consent Y - Sole Source Procurement of Bus Technology and Purchase of 4 Buses.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3703)
- [Consent E - SAFE Industries Ratification.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3741)
- [Consent Q - Municipal Building Roof Replacement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3795)
- [Consent B - TS Helene Ratification SR and Resolution T&K Water.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3774)
- [Consent U - HIAC Dissolution .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3802)
- [Consent L - Ratification Hagerty (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3696)
- [Consent T - Responder Support Svs Amdt (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3701)
- [Presentations A - Recovery City Manager's Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3691)
- [Consent V - Continuum of Care Applications.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3818)
- [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3831)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3716)
- [Consent R - Fiserv Software Subscritption.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3805)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3698)
- [Consent O - RATP Dev_TS Helene Ratification (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3693)
- [Consent N - Defer Affordable Housing Loan Payments.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3809)
- [Consent C - TS Helene Ratification SR and Resolution TP Howard Water.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3766)
- [Consent M - Ratify Amended Loan Terms for Habitat.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3720)
- [Consent X - Southside Accessibility Improvements.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3706)
- [Consent D - TS Helene Ratification SR and Resolution Tennoca Water.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3770)
- [Consent I - Ratification - Southern Disaster Recovery.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3736)
- [Consent P - Helene Budget Amendment (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3822)
- [Consent AA - Organizational Meeting (2).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3749)
- [agenda_2024-11-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3686)
- [Consent K - Ratify Biltmore Farms Lodging.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3723)
- [Consent G - Waste Management .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3733)
- [Consent J - Ratification of Prepared Meal Services.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3727)
- [Consent Z - Surplus Property - Freightliner Dump Truck.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3758)
- [Consent BB - Tax Releases and Refunds.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1527?document=3778)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-nov-12-2024/)
- [Agenda Briefing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/111IO3amKJ6utgRpGeWptZdHYCVQDbutH/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/13rryaTNSQmSJ9WbJknozniZERJWrbdxC/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/13fN1JUTSdjKIY8Em3wi5bHgsX_LuhIfm/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)