City Council Meeting (In-Person) (Jun 9, 2026)

Okay, here's a comprehensive recap of the Asheville City Council meeting held on June 9, 2026, synthesizing information from all provided documents.

City Council Meeting Recap – June 9, 2026

The Asheville City Council convened on June 9, 2026, for a meeting addressing a broad range of critical issues facing the city. The agenda was packed with discussions and decisions related to Hurricane Helene recovery, budget finalization, parking adjustments, state legislation impacting property taxes, community development funding, and the South Creek Development Terrace at River Hills project. The meeting included a mix of formal votes, public hearings, and presentations from city staff and community members.

Key Decisions & Outcomes:

The Council made several significant decisions during the meeting. They unanimously approved a proclamation declaring June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month, honoring Eric Lordman and reaffirming the city's commitment to reducing gun violence. Following extensive discussion, the Council approved a Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget ordinance (4-3), addressing an $8.9 million revenue shortfall through a combination of cuts to community center hours, utilizing downtown sales tax revenue for policing, and adjustments to the 401k employer contribution. Funds were allocated from the city manager's contingency fund to the Strategic Partnership Fund and Sports Commission. The Council also approved an ordinance amending parking fees, expanding meter services into the South Slope area and adjusting permit rates. The CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan was approved, with a last-minute amendment shifting funds to Homeward Bound. A significant decision involved authorizing an additional $9.5 million in CDBG-DR funds for the 126-unit Terrace at River Hills affordable housing development. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with Cigna for health insurance and Delta Dental, Sun Life for leave management, and Colliers Engineering & Design for right-of-way acquisition related to the Coxe Avenue Streetscape project. Finally, a resolution approving an agreement with Reems Creek Fire Department for automatic aid services was also approved.

Key Discussions & Debate Points:

A substantial portion of the meeting focused on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and the proposed amendment to reallocate CDBG-DR funds, prioritizing single-family home repair. This sparked debate and public comment regarding the impact on multifamily housing and potential displacement. The budget deliberations also generated considerable discussion, with public comments emphasizing the need to prioritize renters and concerns about Renew NC’s efficiency. Councilman Henson raised concerns regarding Partnership Property Management's responsiveness to tenant maintenance requests at Terrace at River Hills. Sean Scheider delivered a critique of the city's prioritization of developers over addressing poverty and violence impacting vulnerable populations. The pending state legislation potentially freezing property tax reappraisals also prompted discussion regarding the city’s financial planning.

Public Comments & Community Input:

The meeting included significant public comment periods, particularly during discussions on the CDBG-DR amendment and budget priorities. Business owners raised concerns about eligibility requirements for the Small Business Support Program, while tenants expressed anxieties regarding displacement and maintenance issues. Advocacy groups emphasized the need to address poverty, homelessness, and violence impacting vulnerable populations.

Action Items & Next Steps:

Several key action items emerged from the meeting: continued FEMA reimbursement efforts, implementation of the expanded single-family home repair program, a vote on the CDBG-DR amendment at the next meeting, public engagement and planning for South Slope parking expansion, staff follow-up on budget implementation, monitoring state legislation impacting property tax reappraisals, and addressing tenant concerns at Terrace at River Hills. The Housing Recovery Board and Infrastructure Recovery Board will continue reviewing and providing input on recovery efforts, while Mountain Housing Opportunities is tasked with addressing Partnership Property Management concerns.

Notable Quotes & Exchanges:

Mayor Manheimer emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting those affected by gun violence. City Manager DK Wesley presented detailed budget information, receiving praise for her work navigating the financial challenges facing the city.

Future Meetings & Dates:

The Council will continue to address Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and the CDBG-DR amendment at their next meeting. Further discussions on the Coxe Avenue Streetscape project and other ongoing initiatives are expected in future council meetings.

This recap aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key discussions, decisions, and outcomes from the Asheville City Council meeting on June 9, 2026.