City Council Meeting (Jan 9, 2024)

City Council Meeting Recap: January 9, 2024

The Asheville City Council held a regular meeting on January 9, 2024, focusing on water infrastructure, contract approvals, board appointments, and public safety. The council approved a series of resolutions related to water management and construction, accepted a significant state grant for lead service line replacement, and introduced several new department heads. The meeting also included a public hearing on a zoning amendment and extensive public comment on local and international issues.

Key Decisions and Votes

The council voted to approve a resolution accepting a $1,995,500 Lead Service Line Replacement Grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), with a corresponding budget amendment of the same amount. This vote passed 6-0. The grant is interest-free, with 70% of the funds potentially forgiven, and will be used to identify and replace lead and galvanized iron pipes at no cost to residents.

The council also approved the Water Shortage Response Plan 2022, which incorporates minor revisions requested by the NCDEQ to the city’s drought management strategy. This resolution passed 6-0.

Several contracts and agreements were authorized by unanimous 6-0 votes:

• N.C. Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT): Two resolutions were passed to execute Municipal Agreements and an agreement for additional construction work related to the I-26 Connector Project. These agreements cover waterline relocations and aesthetic improvements, with the city sharing costs for the utility work.
• Bentley Advanced Infrastructure: A sole-source contract was approved for software and hardware to monitor the North Fork Dam, extending the current system for five additional years.
• CDM Smith: A professional services contract was approved for construction administration and observation services for Phase II of the Mills River Water Treatment Plant upgrades.
• Jefferson Wells: A contract was approved for outsourced internal audit services, adopting a "co-sourced" model to address staffing challenges.
• PMA Management Corporation: Two contracts were approved to continue handling the city’s liability and workers’ compensation claims, both with three-year terms starting July 1, 2023.
• IPS Group Inc.: A sole-source contract was approved to continue managing existing parking meters during the delayed transition to a new system, with a target completion of June 30, 2025.
• Restocon, Inc.: The council amended the existing contract to increase funding by $60,903.72 and extend the completion deadline for Harrah’s Cherokee Center parking garage repairs to June 1, 2024.
• J. Bartholomew Construction, LLC: A contract was approved for $121,500 to renovate the second-floor restrooms at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant.

The council also approved the monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases for November 2023, as required by state law.

Zoning and Public Hearing

The council held a public hearing to consider an amendment to the conditional zoning of 141 & 147 S. Bear Creek Road. The proposal seeks to remove a restriction prohibiting drive-through facilities on an outparcel of land that currently houses a hotel. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval with conditions, including the construction of new sidewalks and a high-visibility crosswalk. The council voted 4-2 to pass the amendment, with Councilmembers Roney and Ullman voting against.

Staff Introductions and Board Appointments

The Manager’s Report included the formal introduction of several new staff members: Michael Cayse (Fire Chief), Salah Minaya Merritt (Director of Equity & Inclusion), Jessica Mars (Interim Transportation Director), Mike Lamb (Interim Police Chief), Chris Cairns (City Traffic Engineer), Jeremy Knighton (Emergency Preparedness Expert), and Stephanie Monson Dahl (Director of Planning & Urban Design).

The council also made several appointments to boards and commissions:

• Downtown Commission: Stu Helms and Billy Cooney were approved.
• Human Relations Commission: Andy Bobowski was approved.
• Public Arts and Cultural Commission: Alexandria Monique Revenal and Rachel Hansen were approved.
• Reparations Commission: Osundu McPeters was approved.
• Sustainability Advisory Committee: Tim Orman and Steve Barron were reappointed.
• Urban Forestry Commission: Karen McNeil was reappointed, and John Michael Henson and Patricia Grace were appointed.

Vacancies on the Neighborhood Advisory Committee and Noise Advisory Board will be re-advertised due to a lack of applications. The appointment for the Metropolitan Sewerage District Board is ongoing, with a potential delay to March.

Community Input and Discussion

Residents expressed concerns during public comment regarding rising crime rates, particularly vehicle break-ins, and a perceived lack of police response. One resident requested increased police presence or private security assistance, while another criticized current approaches to homelessness. The Police Department is actively working to resolve the car break-in issue.

Other residents discussed affordable housing and displacement, advocating for increased density and diverse housing types to combat rising costs in neighborhoods like South French Broad and Oakley.

A significant portion of public comment was dedicated to a proposed ceasefire resolution concerning the conflict in Gaza. Speakers cited humanitarian concerns and criticized U.S. government support of Israel.

Additionally, a resident addressed the council regarding inaccuracies on a historical marker commemorating Newton Shepherd, an early Asheville city commissioner, providing records to demonstrate errors in the dates and descriptions of his service.

Follow-ups

• City staff will address parking concerns raised by a resident.
• The council will re-advertise vacancies for the Neighborhood Advisory Committee and Noise Advisory Board.
• The council indicated a willingness to schedule additional meetings with Keith Duncan and his organization to further discuss an economic stabilization proposal.
• The council will likely need to review information provided by a resident regarding the Newton Shepherd historical marker and consider corrections.