City Council Meeting (Jul 23, 2024)

City Council Meeting Recap: July 23, 2024

The Asheville City Council held a regular meeting on July 23, 2024, focusing on significant infrastructure investments, financial approvals, and land use decisions. The agenda included the acceptance of state funding for water infrastructure, the approval of multiple engineering and construction contracts, the authorization of a $80 million bond referendum for voters, and public hearings regarding historic preservation and residential development.

Key Decisions and Votes

The Council voted unanimously (6-0) to accept $1,998,965 in funding from the N.C. Department of Water Infrastructure for lead service line replacement and approved the corresponding budget amendment. This funding is interest-free, with 60% to be forgiven, and will be used to replace lead and galvanized service lines in underserved areas, with a state deadline for inventory submission set for October 16, 2024.

The Council also unanimously approved several contracts related to water infrastructure and public works. These included resolutions authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with WK Dickson for the Shiloh Service Line Find and Replace Project, Kimley Horn for engineering services for Water Distribution Project No. 4 (Coxe Avenue Water Main), CDM Smith for the PLC/SCADA Process Automation Upgrade Program, and Cavanaugh & Associates for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project. Additionally, the Council approved a contract amendment with Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson for the Vance Gap Slide Repair Design and Inspection Project.

In financial matters, the Council voted 6-0 to approve the 2024 Water Revenue Bonds, including the adoption of the Bond Order and approval of the Bond Resolution. This borrowing, up to $30 million, is intended to fund the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, with bonds scheduled for sale in August 2024. The Council also approved a budget ordinance amendment to adjust the effective date of the amended Pay & Classification Plan to June 22, 2024.

Regarding community programs and sustainability, the Council unanimously approved agreements with Asheville GreenWorks for waste reduction and sustainability programming, Bountiful Cities to implement the City’s Food Policy Action Plan, and Green Built Alliance to continue the Blue Horizons Project for renewable energy and efficiency. The Council also approved a resolution to join an opioid settlement agreement with Kroger Co., which is expected to bring approximately $80,463.90 to Asheville.

For the General Obligation (GO) bond referendum, the Council held public hearings and voted to adopt the bond orders and set the referendum for November 5, 2024. The proposed $80 million bond is divided into four $20 million categories: Housing, Transportation, Parks & Recreation, and Public Safety. If approved by voters, this would result in an estimated property tax increase of $110 for an average residential property.

In land use and historic preservation, the Council approved the designation of the F.W. Woolworth Building as a local historic landmark, following a unanimous recommendation from the Historic Resources Commission. The Council also voted 5-1 to approve the conditional zoning for the Meadows at New Haw Creek development at 767 New Haw Creek Road, with Councilwoman Kim Roney voting against. This approval allows for an 84-unit residential development (49 single-family homes and 35 townhomes) with conditions including sidewalk construction, tree preservation, and down payment assistance education for homebuyers.

Discussion Highlights and Community Input

During the public hearing for the Meadows at New Haw Creek project, the Council reviewed the proposal to rezone the 27.05-acre property from medium-density single-family residential to a Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously approved the request with conditions, which the Council adopted. While the transcript summary notes that public comment was received during this hearing, it does not provide specific details on the content of those comments or any responses from Council members.

The Council also discussed the McCormick Field renovation project, approving a contract with Frank L. Blum Construction Company for a total project budget of $30,969,957, plus a $2,000,000 contingency. Construction is slated to begin in September 2024, with completion by April 2026. The Council also approved a lease amendment with DeWine Seeds - Silver Dollar Baseball LLC (the Tourists), extending the lease retroactively from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, with lease revenues directed toward the renovation.

Follow-ups

The City Clerk is responsible for publishing notices of adoption regarding the bond orders. A public hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2024, to consider the permanent closure of a paper right-of-way on 34 Hiawassee Street, which would facilitate a land exchange with Duke Energy for a downtown substation rebuild. The Asheville Regional Housing Consortium will continue evaluating applications for the remaining HOME funds, and the City will explore options for pursuing a NC Civil Rights trail marker at the Woolworth site.

Impact on Residents

These decisions have significant implications for Asheville residents. The lead service line replacement funding ensures safer drinking water in underserved communities, while the water infrastructure contracts aim to improve system reliability and security. The $80 million bond referendum, if approved in November, will fund critical improvements in housing, transportation, parks, and public safety, though it will also increase property taxes. The historic designation of the Woolworth Building preserves a key site of civil rights history, and the approval of the Meadows at New Haw Creek development adds new housing stock with conditions intended to benefit the community, such as down payment assistance education and greenway access. The McCormick Field renovation will modernize the stadium for year-round use, and the opioid settlement funds will support local efforts to combat the opioid crisis.