City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (In-Person) (Apr 28, 2026)

City Council Addresses Recovery, Public Safety Tech, and Healthcare Concerns: A Recap of Recent Meetings

The Asheville City Council has been actively engaged in addressing critical issues facing our community, as evidenced by recent worksessions and committee meetings. This recap summarizes key outcomes from the City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance & Infrastructure (PFI) held April 28th and the Housing and Community Development Committee meeting from March 17th, providing clarity on decisions made, discussions held, and what residents can expect moving forward.

Focusing on Recovery & Community Development: A significant portion of the April 28th PFI worksession centered on utilizing Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. Council members engaged in a robust discussion about prioritizing capital raising and real estate acquisition for emergency shelter development, emphasizing tangible action over further planning. They also reviewed proposals related to economic development strategies, redevelopment efforts (specifically the Deaverview Master Plan), and updating our city's Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to build back more resiliently following the Helene event. The Housing and Community Development Committee meeting on March 17th provided updates on the CDBG-DR Multi-Family Housing Program and discussed potential funding allocations for 2026, highlighting ongoing efforts to address housing needs within our community.

Debate & Decisions on Public Safety Technology: A major topic of discussion at the April 28th PFI worksession was a proposed Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), utilizing technology from Axon and Flock Safety. While the presentation clarified that these systems are not AI-driven, concerns were raised by council members and community members regarding data privacy, transparency, and potential misuse. Discussions centered on renaming the RTIC to "Real-Time Public Assistance Center" and ensuring robust data retention policies. A vote on accepting grant funding for the RTIC is expected within 30-60 days, and a vote on consolidating the Axon contract is scheduled for June 1st.

Addressing Healthcare Concerns & Seeking Accountability: A significant moment in the April 28th PFI worksession involved a resolution requesting HCA CEO Sam Hazen to directly engage with stakeholders in Western North Carolina regarding concerns surrounding the quality of care provided by Mission Health facilities. This resolution, adopted unanimously by the City Council, reflects growing anxieties about HCA's management of Mission Health and its impact on our region. The resolution calls for a collaborative, transparent dialogue to develop a plan for long-term improvement and holds HCA accountable for their decisions.

What's Next & How You Can Stay Informed: The City Council will continue to monitor state legislation impacting zoning and development. The Community of Care (COC) working group will provide more frequent updates to the Council, and staff is revising documentation related to CDBG-DR funding recommendations. Residents can expect further discussion on the city's role in economic development at the upcoming Housing Community Development (HCD) meeting on May 5th. Formal votes regarding the HCA resolution and RTIC funding are anticipated in April and May, respectively.

For detailed information on these initiatives and upcoming meetings, please visit the City Council PFI webpage (link not provided) and the Housing & Community Development Committee webpage (link not provided). Your participation and engagement are vital as we work together to shape a resilient, equitable, and thriving Asheville.