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

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** June 9, 2026 5:00 PM EDT (2026-06-09T17:00:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Asheville City Council held its regular in-person meeting on June 9, 2026, addressing a wide array of municipal operations, financial planning, and disaster recovery initiatives. The session focused on finalizing the city’s operating budget, adjusting parking fees, advancing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, and approving various administrative contracts.

**Key Decisions**
The Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance by a 4-3 vote, establishing a property tax rate of 37.50 cents per $100 of assessed value. This budget addresses an $8.9 million revenue shortfall through measures including reduced community center hours and adjustments to employee 401k contributions. The Council also approved an ordinance amending the Fees and Charges Manual to expand parking meter services into the South Slope area, increase monthly garage permit fees, and introduce a "failure to pay" fee, passing by a 5-2 vote. Additionally, the Council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month and adopted the CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan, which includes a last-minute amendment shifting funds to Homeward Bound. A resolution authorizing $9.5 million in CDBG-DR funds for the Terrace at River Hills affordable housing development passed by a 6-1 vote. Routine consent agenda items, including various employee benefit contracts and project agreements, were approved unanimously.

**Discussion Highlights**
Significant debate surrounded the budget, with Council members expressing diverse perspectives on balancing community needs against financial constraints. The City Manager presented detailed budget options, receiving praise for her work in navigating the shortfall. During the discussion on the Terrace at River Hills project, Councilman Henson raised specific concerns regarding Partnership Property Management’s responsiveness to tenant maintenance requests and alleged threats of eviction. The Council also discussed a pending state bill that could freeze property tax reappraisals, creating uncertainty for financial planning, and agreed to monitor the legislation. Mayor Manheimer emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting those affected by gun violence during the proclamation discussion.

**Community Input**
Public comment was received on several agenda items. During the Gun Violence Awareness Month proclamation, brief remarks were offered by the Sheriff and Chief. Regarding the CDBG-DR public hearing, community members raised concerns about the impact of fund reallocation on multifamily housing and potential displacement. Public comment on the budget highlighted the need to prioritize renters, concerns about Renew NC’s efficiency, and the potential impacts of budget cuts on community centers. Regarding the Terrace at River Hills project, tenant concerns were noted, and Sean Scheider delivered a critique of the city's prioritization of developers and wealthy individuals over addressing poverty, homelessness, and violence impacting trans individuals.

**Follow-ups**
The City Council will vote on the proposed amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan reallocating funds for single-family home repair at their next meeting. Citizens are encouraged to submit written comments on this amendment by June 14th. City staff will manage the implementation of the approved budget and continue working to secure FEMA reimbursement for Hurricane Helene-related expenses. The city will conduct public engagement and planning for the South Slope parking expansion. Mountain Housing Opportunities will address concerns regarding Partnership Property Management, implement a resident service program, and release architects and engineers to finalize detailed design plans for the Terrace at River Hills project. City staff will evaluate floodproofing measures on a site-by-site basis to eliminate unnecessary costs while ensuring the project supports renter households.

**Impact**
These decisions directly affect Asheville residents through the implementation of the new fiscal year budget, which includes changes to service levels and tax rates. The parking fee adjustments will alter costs for garage users and expand enforcement in the South Slope area starting July 1, 2026. The approval of the Terrace at River Hills funding allows Mountain Housing Opportunities to move forward with construction bidding for 126 affordable housing units. The pending vote on the CDBG-DR amendment will determine how federal disaster recovery funds are distributed between single-family home repairs and other housing programs, a decision that will influence support for homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Helene.

## Agenda

- [Budget amendment transferring $1,464,337 in previously received Mellon Foundation funds from the City’s Grant Fund to the Capital Fund for the Eagle and Market Street Enhancements Project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13385)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the UNC School of Government to participate in the North Carolina Benchmarking Project for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2028](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13386)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Employee Health Insurance.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13387)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Stop Loss Insurance.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13388)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Delta Dental NC for Employee Dental Insurance.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13389)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Marathon Health for Health Services Clinic and Wellness Program Management.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13390)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada for Employee Insurance and Leave Management Administration.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13391)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew the automatic aid agreement between the City of Asheville and Reems Creek Fire Department.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13392)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Colliers Engineering & Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, CT, P.C., for easement acquisition services on the Coxe Avenue streetscape project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13393)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Johnson Controls Building Solutions for the Public Works Air Handler Unit Replacement Project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13394)
- [Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per North Carolina General Statute section 105-38.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13395)
- [Resolution authorizing the execution of an improvement agreement that will allow a private developer to improve unopened portions of public right-of-way on Pine Lane and accept those areas for City maintenance](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13396)
- [Manager’s Report - Quarterly Helene Recovery Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13397)
- [Public hearing to consider a substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Action Plan to reallocate $19.2 million to the Single-Family Home Repair Program for a $22.2 million program total, reducing the Multi-Family New Construction Program total to $18.8 million and the Infrastructure Program total to $115 million.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13398)
- [Ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fees and Charges Manual to incorporate changes to Parking Fund fees.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13399)
- [Ordinance adopting the 2026-2027 Annual Operating Budget, with the following adjustments to the form presented by the City Manager: (1) Reinstatement of the additional 1% 401K employer contribution; and (2) An adjustment of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund tax rate to $0.3769 per $100 of assessed valuation.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13400)
- [Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget amendment in the amount of $100,000 in the General Fund to allocate budget from City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to the Economic Development Coalition.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13401)
- [Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget amendment in the amount of $45,000 in the General Fund to allocate budget from City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to the Sports Commission.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13402)
- [Resolution authorizing submission of the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with the reduction to the Water Resources Department Project to $403,030; and funding Homeward Bound (Public Services) in the amount of $96,970.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13403)
- [Resolution amending Resolution Number 26-96 adopted on May 12, 2026, to authorize the additional award of Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) multi-family housing funds to Mountain Housing Opportunities/South Creek Development (Terrace at River Hills).](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723/item/13404)

## Votes

- Resolution authorizing the execution of an improvement agreement that will allow a private developer to improve unopened portions of public right-of-way on Pine Lane and accept those areas for City maintenance — Passed, 7-0
- Budget amendment transferring $1,464,337 in previously received Mellon Foundation funds from the City’s Grant Fund to the Capital Fund for the Eagle and Market Street Enhancements Project. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the UNC School of Government to participate in the North Carolina Benchmarking Project for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2028 — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Employee Health Insurance. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Stop Loss Insurance. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Delta Dental NC for Employee Dental Insurance. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Marathon Health for Health Services Clinic and Wellness Program Management. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada for Employee Insurance and Leave Management Administration. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew the automatic aid agreement between the City of Asheville and Reems Creek Fire Department. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Colliers Engineering & Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, CT, P.C., for easement acquisition services on the Coxe Avenue streetscape project. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Johnson Controls Building Solutions for the Public Works Air Handler Unit Replacement Project. — Passed, 7-0
- Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per North Carolina General Statute section 105-38. — Passed, 7-0
- Public hearing to consider a substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Action Plan to reallocate $19.2 million to the Single-Family Home Repair Program for a $22.2 million program total, reducing the Multi-Family New Construction Program total to $18.8 million and the Infrastructure Program total to $115 million. — Passed, 7-0
- Ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fees and Charges Manual to incorporate changes to Parking Fund fees. — Passed, 5-2
- Ordinance adopting the 2026-2027 Annual Operating Budget, with the following adjustments to the form presented by the City Manager: (1) Reinstatement of the additional 1% 401K employer contribution; and (2) An adjustment of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund tax rate to $0.3769 per $100 of assessed valuation. — Passed, 4-3
- Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget amendment in the amount of $100,000 in the General Fund to allocate budget from City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to the Economic Development Coalition. — Passed, 7-0
- Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget amendment in the amount of $45,000 in the General Fund to allocate budget from City Manager’s Contingency to fund the City’s annual contribution to the Sports Commission. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution amending Resolution Number 26-96 adopted on May 12, 2026, to authorize the additional award of Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) multi-family housing funds to Mountain Housing Opportunities/South Creek Development (Terrace at River Hills). — Passed, 6-1
- Resolution authorizing submission of the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with the reduction to the Water Resources Department Project to $403,030; and funding Homeward Bound (Public Services) in the amount of $96,970. — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l49qg8f3mOA
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1949/segments

## Documents

- [Memo - Follow-Up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9965)
- [Presentations A - Manager's Report - Recovery Update.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9134)
- [Consent D-4 - Marathon Health .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9140)
- [Unfinished D - Presentation - CDBG-DR Multi-Family Housing Updates.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9129)
- [Consent D-5 - SunLife .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9139)
- [Consent D-3 - Delta Dental.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9141)
- [Consent D-2 - Cigna Stop Loss.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9142)
- [Consent E - Automatic Aid Agreement with Reem's Creek.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9144)
- [Public Hearing A - CDBG-DR Action Plan Amendment 2.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9138)
- [Consent H - Tax Releases and Refunds .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9143)
- [Consent C - NC Benchmarking Project.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9147)
- [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9149)
- [Unfinished A - Presentation - Fees & Charges Manual .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9124)
- [Unfinished B - Budget Adoption .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9127)
- [Consent F - Coxe Avenue R-of-W  Easement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9128)
- [action_agenda_2026-06-09.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9114)
- [Unfinished C - Submission of CDBG & HOME Annual Action Plan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9115)
- [Consent I - Authorize Pine Lane Development Agreement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9130)
- [Memo - Follow-Up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9118)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9132)
- [Unfinished A - FY27 Parking Fee Changes .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9136)
- [Consent G - Public Works Air Handler Replacement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9146)
- [Consent B- Mellon Grant.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9145)
- [Unfinished B - Presentation - Budget Adoption.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9123)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9133)
- [minutes_2026-06-09.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9963)
- [Consent D-1 - Cigna Health Insurance.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9148)
- [April.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9302)
- [Unfinished D - CDBG-DR Multifamily Housing.docx](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9135)
- [Public Hearing A - Presentation - CDBG-DR Housing Substantial Amendment.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2723?document=9137)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-in-person-jun-9-2026/)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vWElLrSDvpeS0Ixq2wjyF-BvLeS1Etqu/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KMNKau3USWca9PPbfc-P_PWRc3rX1G_6/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)