City Council Meeting (Aug 25, 2026)

Meeting Overview The Asheville City Council convened for a regular meeting on August 25, 2026, at City Hall. The session covered a broad agenda including proclamations, consent items, public hearings, and new business. The meeting focused on approving numerous operational contracts, budget amendments, and zoning changes, while also addressing significant policy decisions regarding public safety technology and housing regulations.

Key Decisions The Council approved the vast majority of agenda items unanimously. These approvals included contract renewals for cloud computing services (CDW-G), arts funding (Asheville Area Arts Council), and software support for the Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Fiserv). The Council also authorized agreements with Buncombe County for public safety systems, paratransit services, and the City of Asheville Leadership Academy. Financial actions included accepting federal grants for disaster recovery and justice assistance, approving a budget amendment for sidewalk improvements, and adopting the Buncombe Madison Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The most notable decision was a 5-2 vote to terminate the City’s contract with Flock, a provider of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. Councilmembers Mosley and Smith voted against the resolution. The Council also approved significant changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), including allowing duplexes as a by-right use in several residential districts, updating regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and eliminating minimum parking requirements for new developments in alignment with state law. Additionally, the Council approved the rezoning of a property at 23 Heritage Drive to Highway Business zoning to support ASPCA operations.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the debate surrounding Flock Safety and Axon surveillance technology. A presentation by James Risner argued against the use of these systems, citing high error rates, potential for wrongful stops, and high costs. Risner proposed open-source alternatives, such as Raspberry Pi-based bodycams, suggesting a potential savings of $3.85 million over five years. The Interim Police Chief provided a counter-perspective, detailing the effectiveness of Flock in solving serious crimes and outlining existing privacy safeguards. The City Manager was directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the technology’s use, including data retention, access, and civil liberties implications, before any decision is made to resume use or purchase new hardware.

Regarding housing, the Council considered amendments to the UDO to increase housing options. Staff recommended expanding duplex allowances and relaxing ADU size and parking restrictions. The Planning & Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval for these changes. The Council also discussed the ART Place Project, which involves expanding the transit center and adding affordable housing, and authorized planning contracts for the project.

Community Input James Risner, a presenter, testified against the use of Flock and Axon surveillance technology, highlighting incidents of wrongful detentions due to inaccurate data and advocating for open-source alternatives. The transcript summary does not record any other members of the public speaking during this meeting.

Follow-ups The City Manager is responsible for executing the approved contracts and agreements resulting from the resolutions. Specifically, the City Manager is directed to conduct a thorough review of Flock Technology use and provide recommendations on appropriate safeguards, data policies, and whether to resume use. The City Manager will also notify the Council when all Flock data has been deleted. Staff will analyze opportunities for affordable housing as part of the ART Place project. Additionally, staff will present information on upzoning RS-2 districts and potential zoning text amendments to reduce minimum lot sizes at the September 15 Housing and Community Development Committee meeting.

Impact These decisions affect residents by altering how public safety technology is used and regulated, with a pause on Flock usage pending a policy review. The zoning changes to allow duplexes and ADUs, along with the removal of minimum parking requirements, aim to increase housing supply and diversity within the city. The approval of various grants and contracts supports ongoing infrastructure, public safety, and community services, including homelessness programs and transit improvements.