# City Council Meeting (Feb 27, 2024) **Body:** City of Asheville — City Council **Date:** February 27, 2024 12:00 PM EST (2024-02-27T12:00:00-05:00) **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936 ## Summary The Asheville City Council meeting on February 27th was packed with decisions and discussions impacting various aspects of our community. Here's a breakdown of what happened, why it matters to you, and what’s next. **1. Key Decisions: Approvals & Funding Moves** Council made several significant decisions, including: * **Supporting PEAK Academy:** Following passionate public comment, the Council unanimously voted to direct the City Manager to coordinate with Asheville PEAK Academy regarding using remaining ARPA funds. This could provide crucial support for the charter school's programs. * **Addressing Homelessness:** The Council approved updates to the city’s shelter strategy and capital improvement program, reflecting ongoing efforts to address the growing need for shelter beds. A new emergency shelter is in the planning stages, aiming to provide both congregate and non-congregate housing options along with vital support services. * **Investing in Fire Safety & Transit:** The Council approved contracts for fleet maintenance, fire equipment standardization, and the purchase of three new diesel buses. They also approved funding to support transit operations and planning – essential services for many residents. * **Parking Garage Repairs:** Recognizing the need to maintain our infrastructure, Council approved a change order for repairs at both the Rankin Avenue and Wall Street parking garages. * **Pool Management Outsourcing:** To address staffing challenges, the Council approved a contract with Swim Club Management Group to manage city pools this summer. Note that Malvern Hills Pool will remain closed for the season. * **Event Permits Granted:** Council approved permits allowing alcohol consumption at several upcoming community events, including Downtown After 5 and Asheville SpringFest. **2. Discussion Highlights: A Community Voice & Complex Issues** The meeting featured robust discussions on several key topics, most notably: * **PEAK Academy Funding:** A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment regarding PEAK Academy. Speakers passionately advocated for supporting the school with ARPA funds, highlighting its importance to families and the community. * **Ceasefire Resolution:** A heated debate arose regarding a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers on both sides presented compelling arguments, reflecting the deep divisions within our community on this complex issue. * **Homelessness Strategy:** The presentation of the shelter strategy and capital improvement program sparked discussion about the best approaches to address homelessness, with Council members emphasizing community involvement and equitable solutions. * **MWBE Concerns:** Councilwoman Roney raised concerns about the limited involvement of local Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in some construction projects, highlighting the need to build capacity for local businesses. **3. Community Input: Voices Heard & Perspectives Shared** Public comment was a significant part of the meeting, with residents actively engaging in discussions about PEAK Academy funding and the ceasefire resolution. The level of passion and engagement demonstrated a strong commitment from our community to shaping the future of Asheville. **4. Action Items: What Happens Next?** Several key action items emerged from the meeting, including: * **City Manager Coordination with PEAK Academy:** The City Manager will now work with PEAK Academy to develop a grant agreement using remaining ARPA funds. * **COC Transition:** The city will continue its role in the transition of the Continuum of Care, a key body addressing homelessness. * **Communication Specialist Hiring:** The city will proceed with hiring a communication specialist to improve transparency during capital projects. * **Congressional Representatives:** The council will submit the ceasefire resolution to their congressional representatives. **5. Impact: Why This Matters to You** These decisions will directly impact our daily lives: * **Education:** Support for PEAK Academy could provide vital resources for students and families. * **Housing & Services:** The shelter strategy aims to address the critical need for housing and support services for our homeless population. * **Transportation:** Investing in transit ensures reliable access to jobs, services, and community events. * **Infrastructure:** Repairs to parking garages and improvements to city facilities contribute to a safer and more functional Asheville. * **Community Events:** Approved event permits will allow for vibrant celebrations throughout the year. The Asheville City Council continues to navigate complex challenges and make decisions that shape our community's future. Stay informed by visiting the City of Asheville website for meeting agendas, minutes, and more information: [https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/) ## Agenda - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Illumined Leadership Solutions for a Community Facilitator](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9352) - [Budget amendment, in the amount of $3 Million, from the Mellon Foundation for the Boosting the Block Project](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9353) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Swim Club Management Group Inc. for the management of City aquatic facilities](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9354) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with PC Construction Company for the rehabilitation for North Fork Filter 3 Rehabilitation Project](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9355) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager, Water Resources Department Director, or any designee to apply for Lead Service Line Replacement funding](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9356) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with East Coast Truck Shop for Body Work and Paint Repairs](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9357) - [Resolution authorizing the exception to competitive bidding on procurement of goods from Atlantic Emergency Solutions](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9358) - [Resolution authorizing the exception to bidding to enter into a contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions for one year](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9359) - [Resolution to permit the possession and consumption of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at the following events:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9360) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Event Production Agreement with the Asheville Downtown Association](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9361) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager, the Transportation Department Director, the Interim Transportation Department Director, or any designee to apply to the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation - Integrated Mobility Division](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9362) - [Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Division to purchase a total of three new diesel buses for the Asheville Rides Transit System](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9363) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager the Transportation Department Director, the Interim Transportation Department Director, or any designee to apply to the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9364) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with Cinderella Partners, Inc. for additional structural repairs](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9365) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an amended grant agreement with the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) for the North RADTIP (Wilma Dykeman) Greenway preliminary engineering](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9366) - [Resolution amending the 2024 City Council meeting schedule](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9367) - [Manager’s Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9368) - [Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 21 London Road from Commercial Industrial District to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone, and to amend the Future Land Use Map from Industrial/Manufacturing to Urban Corridor](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9369) - [Motion authorizing the City Manager to coordinate with Asheville PEAK Academy to collect all federally required information](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936/item/9370) ## Votes - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Illumined Leadership Solutions for a Community Facilitator — Passed - Budget amendment, in the amount of $3 Million, from the Mellon Foundation for the Boosting the Block Project — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Swim Club Management Group Inc. for the management of City aquatic facilities — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with PC Construction Company for the rehabilitation for North Fork Filter 3 Rehabilitation Project — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager, Water Resources Department Director, or any designee to apply for Lead Service Line Replacement funding — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with East Coast Truck Shop for Body Work and Paint Repairs — Passed - Resolution authorizing the exception to competitive bidding on procurement of goods from Atlantic Emergency Solutions — Passed - Resolution authorizing the exception to bidding to enter into a contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions for one year — Passed - Resolution to permit the possession and consumption of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at the following events: — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Event Production Agreement with the Asheville Downtown Association — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager, the Transportation Department Director, the Interim Transportation Department Director, or any designee to apply to the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation - Integrated Mobility Division — Passed - Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Division to purchase a total of three new diesel buses for the Asheville Rides Transit System — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager the Transportation Department Director, the Interim Transportation Department Director, or any designee to apply to the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with Cinderella Partners, Inc. for additional structural repairs — Passed - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign an amended grant agreement with the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) for the North RADTIP (Wilma Dykeman) Greenway preliminary engineering — Passed - Resolution amending the 2024 City Council meeting schedule — Passed - Motion authorizing the City Manager to coordinate with Asheville PEAK Academy to collect all federally required information — Passed ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/P-G1_BsFM8o?si=3VLpP16Q0z_YIr_e - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1584/segments ## Documents - [Presentations A - Manager's Report - Shelter Planning and Capital.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4380) - [New A - Presentation - ARPA PEAK .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4383) - [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4393) - [agenda_2024-02-27.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4371) - [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4397) - [Consent D - North Fork Water Treatment Plant Filter 3 Rehab 2024.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4437) - [Consent E - Lead Service Line Inventory .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4441) - [Consent I - Event Production Independence Day & Holiday Parade.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4444) - [Consent F - Body Work & Paint Repairs at Fleet Maint.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4446) - [Consent O - Budget Worksessions.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4409) - [Consent G - Standardized Purchasing for Fire Apparatus.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4413) - [Consent L - Section 5307 (JARC) and 5310 .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4417) - [Consent J - Section 5303 Grant Application.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4421) - [Consent K - Purchase 3 Clean Diesel Buses.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4425) - [Consent M - Parking Garage Repairs.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4429) - [Consent N - North RADTIP Greenway.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4433) - [Public Comment - Jonathan Wainscott.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4389) - [New A - Peak ARPA .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4450) - [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4452) - [Consent H - Alcohol at Events (18).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4406) - [Consent C - Pool Management .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1936?document=4401) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-feb-27-2024/) - [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HhxqOfrsLmlVGgEYcPwdPLe_BjtUCMgt/view?usp=drive_link) - [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/t1207) - [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)