June 26, 2024 - Hendersonville City Council Meeting

Hendersonville City Council Meeting Recap: June 26, 2024 – Shaping Our Future Transportation and Accessibility

The Hendersonville City Council convened on June 26, 2024, for its regular monthly meeting. The session was largely focused on evaluating the current state of our city’s transportation and accessibility infrastructure, with detailed presentations laying the groundwork for potential future improvements. While no formal votes were taken during this meeting, the discussions will significantly inform upcoming budget decisions and city initiatives.

A major focus was the presentation of the Apple Country Public Transit feasibility study, conducted by Henderson County Planning Department. The study highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement in our existing transit system. While Routes 1 & 2 are performing well, serving a large portion of the city and warranting consideration for expanded Saturday service and direct routes to Blue Ridge Mall, Route 3 (the Airport route) faces challenges with efficiency and ridership. The study recommends a revised Route 3 loop, exploring an express route to Asheville Regional Airport, and ultimately adding three new buses to support expanded service across all routes, including a potential downtown route (Route 4). The importance of sidewalks for bus shelter installation was also emphasized, highlighting a critical link between transit and accessibility.

Beyond transit, the Council received a comprehensive presentation on the city's ADA Transition Plan self-assessment. The findings were sobering, revealing over 12,000 ADA barriers across our city's sidewalks and a staggering 98% non-compliance rate for curb ramps. Addressing these issues, estimated to cost $13.4 million, will require a phased approach and exploration of alternative maintenance techniques like horizontal saw cutting to address trip hazards. Council members acknowledged the urgency of addressing these deficiencies, recognizing their impact on residents with disabilities and the city’s legal obligations.

Finally, MSW Consultants presented their findings on the Environmental Services Route Study, examining our current waste collection system. While generally providing a high level of service, staffing challenges were identified as a key concern. The study explored options including adjusting collection frequencies (potentially moving to bi-weekly recycling and yard waste pickup), investing in automated garbage collection vehicles, and utilizing GIS technology to optimize routes.

Community Voices Heard: During the public comment period, residents raised important questions about securing grant funding for transit lines and exploring options to recoup costs associated with the Asheville route. Several residents emphasized the need to encourage greater transit usage among younger and senior citizens, suggesting targeted marketing campaigns. A particularly insightful suggestion from a resident was encouraging city employees to utilize the bus system, fostering public trust and demonstrating its value firsthand.

What's Next? The Council will now carefully consider the recommendations from all three presentations – transit, ADA compliance, and waste collection – as part of their upcoming budget planning process. Specific action items include:

• Transit System Evaluation: Continued monitoring of ridership data, particularly from Blue Ridge Community College students and faculty, to inform future route adjustments.
• Marketing Initiatives: Exploring strategies to promote transit usage and increase ridership throughout the community.
• ADA Compliance Planning: Developing a phased plan to address identified ADA barriers, prioritizing high-risk areas and exploring cost-effective maintenance solutions.
• Waste Collection Optimization: Evaluating the feasibility of adjusting collection frequencies and exploring automated vehicle options to improve efficiency and address staffing needs.

This meeting provided a valuable snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing Hendersonville as we strive to build a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable community. The Council’s deliberations will directly impact the quality of life for all residents, ensuring a more connected and inclusive city for years to come.