City Council Agenda Briefing – December 5, 2024

City Council Prepares for Key Discussions on Hurricane Recovery and Future Planning

On December 5, 2024, Asheville City Council held a working session – an Agenda Briefing – to review the upcoming December 10th full Council meeting and delve into critical issues related to Hurricane Helene recovery. While this session wasn't open for public comment, it provided a valuable preview of the discussions and decisions residents can expect. Notably, Mayor Mannheimer and City Manager Campbell were absent due to a conference in Wilmington.

A significant portion of the briefing centered on the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Council members discussed and prepared to ratify several contracts related to storm damage repairs at key city infrastructure, including the Burnett Reservoir, Bee Tree Dam, and North Fork Dam. These repairs are expected to be fully reimbursed by FEMA, ensuring minimal impact on the city’s general fund. Collaboration with Buncombe County was also a key focus, with discussions surrounding an interlocal agreement that will outline the county's role in assisting with debris removal from both private and commercial properties. A significant decision was made to expand the City Manager’s authority to adjust fees during declared states of emergency, streamlining future responses to similar events. Council also doubled the not-to-exceed limits for contracts with equipment rental companies and heavy truck/equipment repair vendors, providing greater flexibility in addressing immediate needs.

Beyond recovery efforts, the Council addressed several other important matters. They acknowledged the successful passage of four general obligation bonds in the recent November election, a positive development for future city projects. Discussions also included technical amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) aimed at aligning city regulations with state building codes and flood ordinances. The damage to the municipal golf course, currently operating as a nine-hole course due to repairs, was also addressed, with an amendment under consideration to temporarily modify the revenue share model. Finally, a transition from Passport Parking to Flowbird Incorporated for parking meter services was approved, with a six-month extension of the existing contract to ensure a smooth changeover.

The meeting also included presentations from Dawa Hitch and Holly Barham regarding the city’s data collection efforts, an interim dashboard providing key recovery information, and plans for a new dedicated recovery website. Councilmember Sage Turner highlighted the need to carefully review the cost summary of storm-related fees, and Councilmember Kim Roney emphasized the importance of community engagement and asset management planning throughout the recovery process.

Looking ahead, residents can expect a busy December 10th Council meeting. A dedicated work session is scheduled for 3:00 PM to further discuss recovery efforts, followed by the formal Council meeting at 5:00 PM featuring a lengthy consent agenda. A detailed staff report outlining the fee waivers and cost impacts will be released later this week, and the interim data dashboard is already available for public viewing. Furthermore, Fountain Works will present to the Council on December 10th to facilitate discussion and feedback on long-term recovery planning, with staff committed to integrating input from the Equity Engagement Committee into this process and future budget considerations. This ongoing work underscores the city's commitment to a comprehensive and equitable recovery from Hurricane Helene, while simultaneously addressing other critical municipal matters.